Andrea Villaseñor is a 4th-year Viticulture & Enology undergraduate student. Find out more about Andrea and her experience studying in the program.
Degree / focus / interest areas:
B.S. in Viticulture & Enology. I am focused on the winemaking industry and interested in gaining more experience in both cellar and lab work to better understand the full winemaking process.
Where are you from originally?
I am originally from Calistoga, California, in the Napa Valley.
What brought you to UC Davis?
Initially, I applied to UC Davis because of how close it is to home, but I later realized that the wine program is one of the best and offered a great opportunity to expand my knowledge and gain hands-on experience in the wine industry.
What do you enjoy the most about studying in this program?
I enjoy the small class settings and how passionate the professors are about their work. Most importantly, I value the hands-on experience that the program offers, which allows me to apply what I learn in real winemaking situations.
Have you interned at a winery/vineyard management company? If so, tell us about your experience.
I have previous experience working as a cellar intern in Napa Valley at Trefethen and Rivers-Marie in Calistoga. In these roles, I learned basic winery skills such as cleaning and sanitation, pumpovers, racking, and lab work. Both experiences were very positive and helped me become more comfortable working in a winery environment.
What are your plans after you graduate?
After I graduate, I plan to complete a harvest in Ribera del Duero, Spain, and continue exploring opportunities to further develop my skills in the wine industry.
What is one unique thing about you?
I grew up in the Napa Valley surrounded by vineyards and even spent time working in the vineyard with my dad, but I did not develop a true interest in the wine industry until I was 18 years old. Since then, I have become very interested in learning about the science and process behind winemaking, which has motivated me to pursue hands-on experiences and continue building my knowledge in the field.