The Viticulture and Enology (V&E) major increases student interest in and understanding of science by supplying a real world application. Our students don't just hear about science, they practice it every day. Graduates leave Cornell with the ability to enter the wine industry, apply their scientific knowledge to another industry or career path, or enter graduate school in a number of science fields.

Program tailored to comparing New York with other winemaking regions

Cornell’s V&E major addresses the New York region’s unique challenges—the cool climate, soils, grape varieties, pests, and markets—while also providing an excellent grounding in other regions’ growing and winemaking techniques. Students work with a broad variety of grapes and vinification techniques to produce wines in a region with large variability between growing seasons.  If you can make good wine here, you can produce it anywhere!

Personalize your major and broaden your education

All V&E students learn about the science and practices of growing grapes and making wines.  Whether focusing on viticulture or enology, you can choose the electives that target your particular interests.  For example, students can concentrate on business and management by taking electives in the college’s Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management and throughout the university.  Cornell offers a diversity of courses taught by leaders in their fields, and V&E students are able to take courses in all colleges to follow interests outside of their major.

Focus on experiential learning

Internships are an integral part of the program, and with New York’s nearly 1,400 vineyards and wineries, there’s no end to interesting opportunities nearby.  Students may also choose to study or intern in other U.S. wine regions or abroad.  Many of our students have completed two or three internships by the time they graduate, gaining valuable skills and industry contacts.  Ample opportunities also exist for undergraduate research at Cornell.

Learn in other wine regions and countries

The opportunities and connections offered through Cornell’s exchange and study abroad programs are exciting.  The chance to study at many institutions throughout the world allows our students to increase their breadth of knowledge about growing grapes and producing wines, while improving language skills and understanding of other cultures.

Admissions Information

Undergraduate students enter the Viticulture and Enology major as freshmen or transfer students. Viticulture and Enology is part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS).

Freshmen

For general admissions information and how to apply, visit the CALS First Year Applicants page.

External Transfers

Transfer students are expected to complete specific coursework prior to transferring.  For information on required coursework and admissions procedures, visit the CALS Transfer Applicants page.

Internal Transfers

Current Cornell students outside of CALS may apply as an internal transfer.  For eligibility and how to apply, visit the CALS Internal Transfer Applicants page.

Internal CALS Transfers

CALS students wishing to transfer to the viticulture and enology major should have completed at least one semester of introductory biology and chemistry (students entering as juniors should have two semesters of biology).  You must also have completed or be currently enrolled in VIEN 1104: Introduction to Wines and Vines.  Contact the undergraduate coordinator to discuss a change of major.