Drinking for credit

Last updated on May 9, 2024

This story is co-reported by ALESANDRO MANZELLA and RUBY LEE SCHEMBARI.

Typically, drinking alcohol on a college campus is forbidden.

The only exception is to partake in a wine-tasting class. In the Italian wine class at Cabrillo College, teacher Deborah Wong talks about each grape variety and the regions from which they originated.

In a class session Cabrillo Voice reporters attended, the 12 wines poured were distinct. Some wines had notes of sweet lemons, sour green apples and juicy stone fruit like peaches, while others were acidic, dry and slightly salty.

Wong showcased slides for every wine bottle explored. Each slide covered everything from the age and cost of each bottle to pictures depicting their origin and the vineyard’s specialized processes in crafting them.

With each glass poured, the room’s ambiance grew from shy and tranquil to energetic and joyous as the laughter and banter of the 40 students filled the space. Toward the end of the class, students raced to raise their hands to express what they had experienced with each glass.

Students walked in with snacks to share with the class, from Italian-styled pizza to foreign chocolates, cookies, and cakes, with each pairing bringing some delightfully majestic new flavor to the table. As students paired their snacks with wine, they voiced their thoughts about the program and its teacher.

“I’ve taken classes at San Francisco wine school, and I will say the Cabrillo program is excellent,” Kevin Carbajal said. “I would recommend the program to anyone who wants to start learning about wine just for their personal reasons or if they want to start a career in the industry,” Carbajal added. 

“I can tell you that our professor, Deborah, is insanely knowledgeable,” said student Lisa Viera. “Her depth of knowledge is such a gift, and we’re so lucky to be able to study with her.”

Wong has been in the wine industry for 20 years as a professional judge, educator, and writer. Her journey began in Santa Barbara, working through junior college as a private chef on an avocado and citrus ranch.

“I was managing a wine cellar for the owner, and I checked in all the wines for the inventory,” Wong said. “It took me a year to realize you’re supposed to taste the wine, so I realized I had to get some wine training.”

She continued her wine education for five years, taking classes alongside her working career. It wasn’t until 2004 that Wong started to work professionally in the wine industry. She received a Wine and Education Trust diploma in 2009 from WSET(Wine & Spirit Education Trust) and studied Viticulture and enology at Fresno State.

Wong goes to great lengths to source each bottle of wine, going overseas to secure a glass of gold. “I’m meeting with wine growers and winemakers and tasting. I’m getting out and doing field research and traveling to other countries to taste,” she says.

In the realm of higher education, where formalities often determine student performance, there is the exception of the Italian Wine class at Cabrillo, which glimmers a unique and enriching experience. Under the guidance of Wong, students embark on a flavorful journey in the sun-soaked vineyards of Italy and Sicily.

With each glass poured, students explored the complexities of the grapes through scent, taste, and presentation. And as glasses clinked with laughter and harmony, a sense of community blossomed among the students.

This was not just a class but an experience. With each sip, students expanded their tastes and deepened their appreciation for the artistry and culture behind every bottle.

The Italian Wine class is just one of eight classes Cabrillo offers that can transfer to a CSU. As of October 2023, Cabrillo approved a 60-unit associate degree program for wine studies starting in 2024.

Reporter Morgan Guerra contributed to this story.