Associate of Applied Science in Wine Business and Entrepreneurship

What type of work would I do if I studied Viticulture?

Viticulture is the science of growing and cultivating grapes. Those who study viticulture learn the skills needed to own and operate a vineyard or to work at a commercial vineyard.

What type of degree would I earn at Missouri State University-West Plains?

Students will earn an Associate of Applied Science in Viticulture degree. Topics of study include current practices for establishing a commercial vineyard while maintaining its health and productivity. Classroom and practical field experiences focus on providing the underlying principles of managing a vineyard through each seasonal change in order to develop an understanding of current best practices. Students also can choose to complete a certificate program in viticulture. While the associate’s degree combines practical experience with general education courses, the certificate program focuses on just the practical experience required for viticulture careers.

Why should I major in Viticulture?

The viticulture and enology (winemaking) industries continue to grow and thrive in the U.S. According to the WineAmerica website (www.wineamerica.org), the U.S. grape crop has more than tripled in 21 years from $955 million in 1985 to almost $3.5 billion in 2006. Winegrape production has increased far faster than the overall grape crop and now represents almost two thirds of the total crop. Grapes are the highest value crop in the nation and the sixth largest crop overall, and grapes produced in agricultural areas for wine and juice now make up 67% of the entire national crop, according to WineAmerica’s website.

What salary can I expect to earn with this degree?

Faculty within this degree program estimate that, in the private sector, a vineyard manager who oversees 100 acres of grapes in the Midwest can expect to start at $35,000. Experience and incentives would add to that salary.

Wine Business and Entrepreneurship (AAS)

Associate of Applied Science

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Wine Business and Entrepreneurship is designed to prepare students to own and manage their own winery or vineyard. This academic guide is based on the 2021-2022 Missouri State University-West Plains Catalog. The time to complete the degree will vary, depending on remediation, summer enrollment, number of classes taken per semester, etc.

General Education Requirements Credit Hours
BIO 101 Biology in Your World 3
BIO 111 Understanding Biological Systems Through Inquiry 1
ENG 110 Writing I 3
IDS 110 Student Success 2
MTH 100 Intermediate Applied Mathematics or higher (except MTH 197 and MTH 297) 3
Physics: Select three (3) credit hours
  • PHY 100 Survey of Physics with Laboratory  OR
  • VIN 106 Physics for the Wine Industry
 3
Civics: Select three (3) credit hours
  • HST 121 Survey of US History to 1877  OR
  • HST 122 US History Since 1877  OR
  • PLS 101 American Democracy and Citizenship
 3
Communications / Writing II: Select six (6) credit hours
  • COM 115 Fundamentals of Public Speaking
  • ENG 221 Writing II: Writing for the Professions
  • MGT 286 Business Communications
 6
General Education Total 24
Agriculture Business Requirements Credit Hours
ACC 201 Introduction to Financial Accounting 3
QBA 237 Basic Business Statistics 3
Agriculture Business Total 6
Wine Business & Entrepreneurship Credit Hours

VIN 111 Introduction to Viticulture and Vineyard

 3
VIN 130 New Wine Business Feasibility 3
VIN 132 Entrepreneurial Finance for Vineyard and Wine Business 3
VIN 146 Introduction to Enology 3
VIN 202 Legal Aspects of Vineyard and Winery Operation 3
VIN 250 Vineyard Equipment Technology for the Entrepreneur 3
VIN 270 Marketing for the Small Winery 2
VIN 275 Financial Management for the Wine Business 3
VIN 285 Addressing Human Resources 3
VIN 290 Vineyard and Winery Safety 3
VIN 295 Developing a Business Plan 3
VIN Electives: Select a minimum of at least two (2) credit hours
  • VIN 272 Winery Tasting Room Management
  • VIN 280 Winery Establishment and Design
 2
Wine Business & Entrepreneurship Totals 34
Wine Business and Entrepreneurship (AAS) Degree Credit Hours
Total Hours Required 64

Degree Notes:

  1. Math requirements exclude MTH 197 and MTH 297.
  2. Students are required to complete a minimum of three (3) credit hours of math regardless of placement.
  3. Electives must be approved by the department.
  4. Students should confirm transferability of courses with their transfer university before completing courses at MSU-WP.
  5. Some VIN courses are not eligible for Missouri A+ funding.
  6. Students must register for VIN classes through the VESTA portal at https://www.vesta-usa.org/Students

(Pending CBHE Approval)

Students are strongly encouraged to confirm the transferability of individual courses to other institutions prior to enrollment. Not all courses will transfer or satisfy specific degree requirements for bachelor degrees