With the Marketing & Sales of Food & Wine Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, you will learn the necessary information to become a certified sommelier (wine history and origin expertise along with matching wines to foods) and what it takes to effectively market and promote wine and food. The program prepares students for a career involving selling wine to wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, and to the public as a winery or hospitality industry entrepreneur or employee.

Students study marketing techniques, including packaging, pricing and branding of wines; explore the demographics of wine sales and marketing of brands throughout the world; and learn about compliance and government regulations.

Students gain practical experience by working in retail sales, packaging, advertising and promotion of wine and food in our on-campus tasting room. Emphasis is placed on merchandising, marketing of products, labeling, online sales, inventory, government compliance, social media, and wine club. Additionally, students work at our interactive wine release events, and are given opportunities to work at many industry events throughout Seattle and Washington State.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Explain and demonstrate wine tasting techniques in a systematic approach.
• Define and describe classic wine making terminology, methods, styles and varieties.
• Describe wine regions globally, viticulture practices and wine styles. Describe and demonstrate purchasing, storage/cellaring, wine inventory and accounting.
• Define and develop a strategic and tactical marketing and sales approach to a beverage program.
• Apply guidelines for the handling wines from vineyard during production to consumption.
• Analyze and critique various wines through sensory evaluations.
• Develop operational systems, establish and analyze budgets, pricing, inventory controls, reporting and forecasting.
• Demonstrate skills in beverage service and the principles of beverage and food pairing.