UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
- N/A
- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Students in viticulture and enology experience a distinctive blend of university life and industry immersion. The department is relatively small, creating a tight-knit community where students, faculty, and staff know each other well. Study groups form naturally, and upperclassmen mentor newcomers through challenging science courses. The Wine and Vine Club provides social programming and professional development activities, including visits to wineries and wine regions. UC Davis is a large public research university with over 30,000 students, offering the full range of university amenities including athletics, arts, Greek life, and hundreds of student organizations. The viticulture and enology community represents a small but distinctive subset, identifiable by their sensory evaluation skills and tendency to discuss wine wherever they gather. Housing options include on-campus residence halls for first-year students, apartment-style housing for upper-division students, and off-campus rentals in Davis and surrounding communities. Davis is a college town with a strong bicycle culture, with most students finding that bikes provide adequate transportation around the compact community. Rents are lower than in San Francisco or the Bay Area but higher than many California communities, typically ranging from $800-1,200 for shared accommodations. The proximity to Napa Valley, Sonoma, and other wine regions provides students with easy access to the industry they are studying. Weekend winery visits, harvest internships, and industry events create opportunities for professional networking while still in school. Many students develop relationships with industry mentors that continue throughout their careers.
Location & Surroundings
UC Davis sits in California's Central Valley, approximately 15 miles west of Sacramento and 70 miles northeast of San Francisco. The town of Davis is a quintessential college town of approximately 70,000 residents, with the university serving as its primary economic and cultural engine. The flat terrain and mild climate make Davis exceptionally bike-friendly, with a higher percentage of residents commuting by bicycle than almost any other American city. The climate features hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit and mild, rainy winters. The Mediterranean climate is ideal for grape growing, with California's premier wine regions including Napa Valley, Sonoma County, and Lodi all within an hour's drive. This proximity to working vineyards and wineries distinguishes the UC Davis program and provides students with unparalleled access to industry partners. Sacramento International Airport, approximately 20 miles northeast, provides domestic flight connections, while San Francisco International Airport offers more extensive domestic and international service. A car is useful for exploring wine country and reaching Bay Area attractions, though daily life in Davis can be managed without one. The surrounding Central Valley is primarily agricultural, with viticulture representing a significant portion of the regional economy. Students regularly visit vineyards representing diverse terroirs and grape varieties, from the volcanic soils of Napa to the delta breezes of Clarksburg to the Sierra foothills of El Dorado County. This diversity of viticultural environments within easy reach enriches the educational experience.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Tuition and fees at UC Davis are approximately $14,000 annually for California residents and $44,000 for non-residents. Living expenses in Davis add approximately $15,000-18,000 annually, bringing total cost of attendance to roughly $30,000 for residents and $60,000 for non-residents. These figures make the program more affordable than many alternatives while providing world-class education and industry connections. Financial aid is available through UC Davis's financial aid office, including grants, scholarships, and loans. The department offers some scholarships specifically for viticulture and enology students, while wine industry organizations provide additional scholarship opportunities. Graduate students typically receive funding through research or teaching assistantships that cover tuition and provide stipends. Career outcomes are exceptional, with graduates entering positions across the wine industry worldwide. Winemaker and viticulturist positions at wineries represent the most common career paths, ranging from small artisan producers to major wine companies. Quality control, laboratory management, and technical positions utilize the scientific training the program provides. Some graduates pursue sales, marketing, and business roles within wine companies, leveraging their technical knowledge for commercial advantage. Starting salaries vary significantly by role and employer, ranging from approximately $50,000 for entry-level harvest positions to $80,000 or more for laboratory directors or assistant winemakers at major wineries. Advancement can lead to head winemaker or vineyard director positions with compensation exceeding $150,000 at major wineries. Entrepreneurial graduates who launch their own wine brands may earn less initially but have unlimited upside potential. The department's career services and alumni network are invaluable, with graduates holding leadership positions at wineries worldwide and actively mentoring current students. The annual Winemaker Boot Camp and other industry events provide networking opportunities that often lead directly to employment.
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