What is VESTA?
Imagine taking college courses, earning college credit, expanding your understanding of the grape and wine industry, and never leaving your home or office. The Viticulture Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA) is an NSF-funded partnership between the Missouri State University system, two-year schools throughout America, state agriculture agencies, vineyards, and wineries with a 21st Century vision for education in grape growing, winemaking, and winery marketing.
A unique partnership of universities and community colleges across the nation provides students access to coursework that is delivered online thereby enabling learning to occur anytime, anywhere. www.vesta-usa.org
Patty’s VESTA Classes
Patty is an online instructor for two VESTA classes through Missouri State University. Winery owners, staff, and students can register through the VESTA program.
Marketing for Small Wineries (VIN 270) – She shares her knowledge and experience of marketing strategies for small wineries such as label design and packaging, tasting room promotion, and general marketing principles. She also introduces various marketing channels, including social media, e-mail, email newsletters, blogs, word of mouth, and winery websites.
Winery Tasting Room Management (VIN 272) – This course explores all aspects of managing a winery tasting room. It covers topics such as tasting room “look and feel”, merchandising, customer service, customer relationships, sales opportunities, sensory evaluation, staff training, and leadership skills.
“The courses I took through VESTA with Patty helped me to build a better understanding of how wineries, specifically tasting rooms, function. Many of the ideas and topics that we discussed in class have been implemented into our winery from the layout of the tasting bar and retail area to the way we use social media and market our product.” – Nicole, 21 Brix Winery