School for Viticulture and Enology

We started preparations for the introduction of the Viticulture and Enology study programme at University of Nova Gorica based on a survey, which we carried out in 2002, of Slovenian needs in the field of vineyards and wineries. The survey showed that all the interviewees had expressed the need for an integrated knowledge of viticulture, enology and marketing. The survey also showed that an appropriate higher education programme would be suitable to meet the needs. Although Slovenia has a long tradition in viticulture there is currently no study programme which would provide the versatile knowledge needed for managing viticulture-enology enterprises. University of Nova Gorica hence decided to prepare an undergraduate higher professional programme in Viticulture and Enology.

The study programme proposal was prepared in collaboration with the National Institute of Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, The Scientific Research Centre of SASA, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, and Instituto Spermentale per la Nutrizione delle Piante from Gorizia, Italy.

The study programme was granted support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia, Commercial Union for Viticulture and Wine of Slovenia, as well as from a number of national viticulture and enology associations. In April 2004, the Senate of University of Nova Gorica approved the new Viticulture and enology study programme. The proposal was then submitted to The Council for Higher Education of the Republic of Slovenia for accreditation. In October 2004, the Council gave permission to University of Nova Gorica to establish programmes in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fishing.

As we have seen a high number of applications the new undergraduate programme is going to commence in the academic year 2005/06.

The study programme covers the current interdisciplinary knowledge in the fields of grape growing (viticulture), wine making (enology) and marketing. It provides both fundamental and specialist knowledge. Students receive education through lectures as well as practical work experience in laboratories, vineyards or wineries. There are a number of curriculum choices which enable students to major either in viticulture or enology. Electives can be chosen not only from this study programme, but also from any other academic programme that meets the required criteria. Our graduates will be able to manage viticulture-enology enterprises and will be able to evaluate new technologies and their applicability in the local environment. The knowledge gained at the programme will enable them to readily adapt to changes in the local and global market, as well as to technological changes. Students who will have obtained the programme's Bachelor's degree can continue their study at the post-graduate level leading to a specialist, master's or doctoral degree.

Study programmes

• Bachelor's programme in Viticulture and Enology

Dean

Acting dean: prof.dr. Danilo Zavrtanik

Senate

doc. dr. Franc Čuš
dr. Boris Gojković
Matej Lavrenčič
doc. dr. Julij Nemanič
doc. dr. Uroš Petrovič
prof.dr. Maja Ravnikar
Melita Sternad Lemut, univ.dipl.inž.živ.tehnl.
doc. dr. Irma Tomažič
prof.dr. Danilo Zavrtanik