Trent Ball and Annette Wattenbarger of Yakima Valley Vintners
Student wines from Yakima Valley College’s wine program have won more prestigious Platinum Awards than wines from any other college program in the Pacific Northwest. The YVC program began in 2007, and is grounded in hands-on educational experiences that prepare students for a variety of jobs in the wine industry. Classes are held in the evening so that students can continue to hold full or part-time jobs during their studies. Students can pursue certificates in such things as wine sales, or Associate Degrees in Vineyard and Winery Technology. Facilities include an on-campus vineyard and winery at the Grandview campus, and tasting rooms at both the Grandview and Yakima campuses known as Yakima Valley Vintners. The Yakima tasting room is next door to the Larson Gallery, and the two often partner on events.
Trent Ball was hired in 2006 to help design the facilities and curriculum. He is currently Agriculture Department Chair and Vineyard and Winery Technology Instructor. Annette Wattenbarger came on board in 2021 as the Tasting Room Coordinator and Wine Club Specialist. In this interview, they discuss the program and many of the students’ award -winning wines. For an academic like myself, the wine names are fun, as many are related to academics. My favorite is the Dean’s List Malbec, but other fun names are Yakademic Blend, Easy A Chardonnay, Bright Idea Semillon, and Mochila Roja (red backpack). The wines are excellent, as Yakima Valley Vintners’ recent winning of three Double Platinum Awards and one Platinum Award suggests. The Yakima tasting room is a real destination place where you can attend an art exhibition, and then wander next door to Yakima Valley Vintners for wine and food. Don’t miss the annual Grape to Glass Gala fundraiser in spring!!
Listen to the Interview: