The University of Wine

I teach at the University of Puget Sound, one of the northwest's finest liberal arts colleges. But as I work on my book about globalization and wine I'm starting to think of UPS as the University of Wine (or maybe the University of Pinot & Syrah to preserve the UPS acronym).

It's not that we teach a lot of classes on wine or winemaking (the course I will teach next fall will be the first), it's just that so many of our graduates end up making wine, selling it, or telling stories about it. Must be something in the water ... or in the wine. Herewith a selected list of alumni wine people.

Winemakers and Winegrowers

Dick Boushey, Boushey Vineyards, Yakima Valley, Washington

Tom Hedges, Hedges Family Estate. Red Mountain, Washington

Peggy Patterson, Hoodsport Winery. Hoodsport Washington

Chuck and Tracy Reininger (pictured above), Reininger Winery. Walla Walla, Washington

Michael Corliss, Corliss Estates. Walla Walla, Washington

Stewart Boedecker, Boedecker Cellars. Carlton, Oregon.

Joe Davis, Arcadian Winery. Santa Ynez, California.

Warren Moyles, La Toscana Winery. Leavenworth, Washington

Julie Strobel Arger, Arger-Martucci Winery. Napa Valley, California

David Rosenthal, Enologist, Chateau Ste. Michelle. Woodinville, Washington

Carolyn Lakewold, Donedei Winery. Olympia, Washington

Mona Hovnanian, Arbutus Winery. Seattle, Washington

Wine Families (wineries of parents of Puget Sound students)

Fielding Hills Winery. East Wenatchee, Washington

Frog's Leap Winery. Napa Valley, California.

Tres Sabores Winery. Napa Valley, California

Pepper Bridge Winery, Walla Walla, Washington

The Wine Business: Marketing and Distribution

Ken Avedisian, Chief Operating Officer, Cordon Selections wine distributors. Seattle, Washington.

Jeremy Soine, Brand Manager, Barefoot Cellars. Modesto, California.

T. Patrick Egan, Brand Manager (aka Chief Hare), French Rabbit Wines. Sausalito, California.

Devin Visciano, Monterey Bay Wine Company. La Selva Beach, California.

Authors and Educators

Michael Moyers, Instructor of Wine Science, Walla Walla Community College and Winemaker, College Cellars of Walla Walla

Amy Muma, World Wine Program, Central Washington University. Ellensburg, Washington

Cynthia Nims, Food and Wine Writer and Consultant. Seattle, Washington

Michael Veseth, Professor of International Political Economy, University of Puget Sound. Tacoma, Washington

As you might expect, wine research is filled with good experiences. One of the unexpected pleasures has been the opportunity to reconnect with exceptional alumni and former students who are in the business.