The next generation of winemakers in New Mexico recently engaged in practical learning through the inaugural Viva Vino Red Winemaking Boot Camp, held from October 9 to October 23. This unique program was a collaborative effort between the Beverage Production and Management Program at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), CNM Ingenuity, and New Mexico Wine.
Participants in the boot camp had the opportunity to harvest grapes from a vineyard in Nambe, where they gained firsthand experience in viticulture and winemaking processes. The program included hands-on workshops, notably at Sheehan Winery in Albuquerque, where students worked closely with industry professionals.
On October 21, Mike Youngblood, an assistant winemaker at Sheehan Winery, demonstrated the grape juice filling process into barrels. Students actively participated in various tasks, including operating equipment and cleaning up post-workshop.
Eric Bihl, another key figure at Sheehan Winery, collaborated with CNM students as they loaded a destemmer with freshly harvested grapes. The boot camp provided a comprehensive learning environment, allowing students to carry buckets of grapes and engage in essential winemaking activities, all contributing to their practical education in this growing field.
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