News - VEN Alumni

The Department of Viticulture and Enology (V&E) hosted an outdoor graduation celebration for our students receiving their B.S. or M.S. in Viticulture and Enology on Friday, June 12, 2026. Distinguished Professor Emeritus Hildegarde Heymann, who retired this year, delivered a graduation speech, and Department Chair Dr. Ben Montpetit, and graduate and undergraduate advisor, Liz Price, presented the 2026 graduates and citation recipients. Last year’s DEVO president, Dan Kline, announced the 2026 Departmental Teaching Award, which was given to Dr.

Student standing: 
I just graduated with my B.S. in Viticulture and Enology, and I am now starting my first year of the master's program.

Degree/Focus/interest areas: 
Viticulture and Enology, with a growing interest in how the industry adapts to climate change.

Where are you from originally? 
I was born in Vallejo, went to high school in Grass Valley, and then lived in Oakland for six years before moving to Davis.

Course Profile: VEN 103 – Commercial Winemaking

Wine production is often described in terms of grapes, fermentation, and aging, but producing wine on a commercial scale involves much more than just making a good wine. Winemakers and winery business leaders must make decisions about equipment, production volumes, costs, timing, quality, risk, regulatory requirements, packaging, suppliers, and how a wine will ultimately reach the consumer. Understanding how all of these pieces fit together is essential to managing a successful commercial winery.