Marketing & Sales of Food & Wine

Associate of Applied Science - Transfer Degree (AAS-T)

With the Marketing & Sales of Food & Wine Associate of Applied Science Transfer (AAS-T) degree, you will learn the necessary information to become a certified sommelier (wine history and origin expertise along with matching wines to foods) and what it takes to effectively market and promote wine and food. The program prepares students for a career involving selling wine to wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, and to the public as a winery or hospitality industry entrepreneur or employee.

Students study marketing techniques, including packaging, pricing and branding of wines; explore the demographics of wine sales and marketing of brands throughout the world; and learn about compliance and government regulations.

Students gain practical experience by working in retail sales, packaging, advertising and promotion of wine and food in our on-campus tasting room. Emphasis is placed on merchandising, marketing of products, labeling, online sales, inventory, government compliance, social media, and wine club. Additionally, students work at our interactive wine release events, and are given opportunities to work at many industry events throughout Seattle and Washington State.

Estimated Length of Completion

Degree Quarters Credits
Associate of Applied Science - Transfer Degree (AAS-T) Full Time: 6
Part Time: 11 to 12
94.0

Program lengths are estimates, not guarantees. For the most current program information, please check with the program contact.

Must be 21 years or order to apply.

Students must meet with an advisor for entry into this program. A placement test is required to ensure language and computational skills are sufficient for program success.

  • Explain and demonstrate wine tasting techniques in a systematic approach.
  • Define and describe classic wine making terminology, methods, styles and varieties.
  • Describe wine regions globally, viticulture practices and wine styles.
  • Describe and demonstrate purchasing, storage/cellaring, wine inventory and accounting.
  • Define and develop a strategic and tactical marketing and sales approach to a beverage program.
  • Apply guidelines for the handling wines from vineyard during production to consumption.
  • Analyze and critique various wines through sensory evaluations.
  • Develop operational systems, establish and analyze budgets, pricing, inventory controls, reporting and forecasting.
  • Demonstrate skills in beverage service and the principles of beverage and food pairing.

For current employment and wage estimates, please visit the following online resources and search for the relevant occupational term:

All costs are estimates and are not guarantees. For the most current program information, check with an adviser by calling 206.934.5391. There are additional costs for books and supplies. Each student is responsible for the purchase of certain supplies and required tools before the instruction begins.

Full Time Cost

Quarter Credits Resident Non-Resident International
1 14 $1,479.88 $1,656.96 $3,455.34
2 12 $1,357.84 $1,533.08 $3,317.42
3 14 $1,479.88 $1,656.96 $3,455.34
4 15 $1,540.90 $1,718.90 $3,524.30
5 15 $1,540.90 $1,718.90 $3,524.30
6 12 $1,357.84 $1,533.08 $3,317.42
7 11 $1,296.82 $1,471.14 $3,248.46

Part Time Cost

Resident Non-Resident International
$11,616.52 $13,246.48 $29,887.30

Quarter Start Dates: Wine Studies classes begin in Fall.

Students may still enroll in the program during other quarters to begin their related academic classes (Not required if a student has already completed these classes. Students must provide an official transcript.).

Class Times: Check the online class schedule. Students will meet during the class timeframe listed, however in order to maintain safe distances in on-site labs students will be grouped and have specified times on campus. Please check with your instructor for more information.

Other related academic classes are required that meet outside of these class times. These classes can be completed online and/or in-person depending on availability. Check with an advisor regarding when to take related academic classes.


Coursework

View a sample schedule and quarterly to-do list.