Wine & Viticulture Technology Degree
Partnering with Lake Michigan College, we’re training the next generation of winemakers. The College offers an Associate Degree in Wine & Viticulture Technology with classes centered on experiential learning and practice. Our classes take place two days a week at the College’s Benton Harbor Campus, allowing students from Chicago, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, South Bend, and Battle Creek to attend. Click here to see a detailed course list or request more information about the program.
Our work began in 2015 when the Michigan wine industry identified a need for technically trained winemakers.. To meet that need, we started the first commercial teaching winery in the Midwest. Our students get firsthand experience in the art, business, and science of winemaking through a combination of classroom learning and cooperative work in our winery, tasting room, and laboratory.
We teach our students that cooperation, experimentation, and a continual commitment to excellence will grow our wine region. Graduates from our program receive an Associate of Applied Science in Wine & Viticulture Technology and become skilled collaborators who are capable of producing outstanding wines.
We know that the Lake Michigan Shore American Viticultural Area can stand with the great wine regions of the world – we are proud to train the region’s future winemakers and grow our collective future.
Lake Michigan Vintners Staff
Tim Godfrey – Director
Tim has been involved in the wine and cider making industries for over ten years, both here in Michigan as well as in Sonoma County, California. A graduate of GVSU’s Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Tim’s formal wine education was forged through UC Davis, and put to work at startup and well-renowned wineries alike. His philosophy toward winemaking starts in the vineyard: Clean viticultural practices yield the highest quality fruit, and the winemaker just needs to be sure not to mess it up. When Tim’s not in the winery, he’s probably cycling, skiing, or hanging with his wife and dog
Kiya Hudson – Welch Center Manager
Kiya grew-up in Van Buren County and decided to pursue a career in Enology and Viticulture as soon as she graduated. She received her degree from Lake Michigan College Wine & Viticulture Trades Pr
ogram in 2020. She worked with White Pine Winery for 3 years before joining the Lake Michigan Vintners team.
Jasmine Hein – Winery Technician
Her journey as a Vintner started at Lake Michigan college where she received her Associates degree of applied Science in Viticulture and Enology. She has worked in the South West Michigan Wine industry for the past 5 years in predominantly small scale, boutique wineries and with roles ranging in every level of winery operations and production. her role as Winery Technician here at lake Michigan college is to instruct the Enology Co-Ops as well as serve as a tasting room consultant for the Lake Michigan Vintners tasting room.