Wine Degrees Put Your Tastes to the Test

by Elise Zito

Are wine degrees necessary for a lucrative career in the wine industry? For some insight into what it takes to succeed in a career in wine, we spoke with Bob Kelly, sommelier for Valentino Las Vegas, an upscale restaurant in Las Vegas.

"I was raised as a military child and spent four-plus years (from third to seventh grade) in the Azores Islands, where they -- like most Europeans -- made wine. It was there that my first crush occurred," shares Kelly. And no, he doesn't mean his first crush on the cute blonde who sat across from him in art class. He's referring to his first experience with a wine harvest, nicknamed "crush" by those in the wine industry.

While his early childhood education in the art of wine-making had a big influence on him, it wasn't until he was 23-years-old that Kelly discovered his true love for wine. "The real passion hit when I first tasted hints of chocolate in a wine," he says. "I searched all over for the same label, but to no avail. I've been searching for exotic flavors in wine ever since." It was his grandfather who later urged him to follow his instincts and move to Napa Valley wine country, which, says Kelly, was the move that propelled him into his career in wine and has made him happy ever since.

For anyone pursuing wine degrees through a formal education, don't underestimate the importance of hands-on learning, advises Kelly. While in Napa, Kelly spent one harvest, or "crush," at Carneros Creek winery making wine. "I did every aspect from pump overs and punch downs, to digging out fermentation tanks and inoculations. It was truly amazing," he says. "You can read about it and watch it being done, but actually living it is an experience that will never leave you."

Although wine degrees weren't a part of Kelly's career education, taking the time to earn wine degrees is a surefire way to get ahead in this competitive industry. "There is not a lot of opportunity out there," he says. This, aside from dealing with arrogant people from time to time, is one of the only downsides to a career in wine, according to Kelly. This means it is even more important that you keep your skills sharp and get plenty of real world and classroom experience before entering the professional world of wine.

Find out more about opportunities to earn wine degrees in your area today!