The Enology and Brewing Undergraduate Minor program launched at UNT at Frisco in the fall 2024 semester as part of the College of Applied and Collaborative Studies. The 18-hour program includes courses on enology, the term for the study of wines and winemaking, and the brewing process for beer. It also offers cross-discipline courses in business and marketing.
UNT’s program is unique with only about half a dozen universities across the United States offering a similar program, clinical professor Andrew Snyder said. He explained UNT’s program is not focused solely on textbook information, but allows students to use the equipment and work directly in the development process.
“This will be a very hands-on program, both on the brewing side and the winemaking side,” Snyder said. “That’s where you get the best experiences.”
About the program
The minor program gives students the skillset to work in the wine and beer industry. This includes leadership, teamwork, sales and marketing, distribution methods and merchandising, among others.
Texas is in the top 10 states for the number of craft breweries and wineries, which contribute over $20 billion in economic value to the state, according to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. This includes more than 500 wineries and 443 growers across 4,000 acres dedicated to grape-growing.
Having a minor in enology and brewing will help boost student’s resumes for wineries and other distributors, Snyder said.
“A program like this will supply the wine industry,” Snyder said. “This is a program that’s in need.”
Potential jobs for an Enology and Brewing Minor include:
- Enologist
- Wine buyer
- Cellar master
- Vineyard manager
- Retailer
- Production planner
- Sales manager
- Warehouse manager
- Restaurant or bar manager
Looking ahead
A possible program expansion includes earning a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission license that would allow the university to sell the wine and beer students make.
Program leaders are also pursuing establishing a sister city relationship for the city of Frisco with another enology or brewing city.
“This is another opportunity for Frisco to be on the map,” Snyder said.
