$1.5 Million Raised for “Teaching Winery” in Missouri
According to the Columbia Missourian, the University of Missouri is about half way funded for a new $3m teaching winery. The new wine and food education facility is tentatively set to open in late 2015.
According to Tony Kooyumjian, Missouri Wine and Grape Research Committee (MWGRC) chairman and owner/winemaker at Augusta Winery, the teaching winery would anchor the complex of buildings that would form the Missouri Wine and Grape Institute.
Kooyumjian said that the MWGRC currently share offices, labs, and space with CAFNR, the enology and viticulture program that is part of the Food Science department at MU. “ANFR has been very generous and supportive, but if we have our own buildings, it will distinguish our program and hopefully draw students from all over the Midwest,” Kooyumjian said.
At this point, he added that land is appropriated for the complex and a teaching vineyard. Both are close to campus and on University land.
The funding is from industry and other interested groups.
“This facility is very important to the Missouri Wine and Grape industry,” Kooyumjian said. “Because up to this point, businesses wanting to expand have had a difficult time finding qualified people, willing to relocate to Missouri, to fill key positions. With the new complex we hope to educate a workforce, familiar with the Midwest growing conditions and varietals, to help us move to the next level of quality wine production.
The wine and food education program is targeted at Missouri students as well as Midwestern students.
“In conjunction with research in new varietal selection and new techniques in the vineyard and winery, we hope to use this facility to reach our goals. Our mission is to improve wine and grape production through research, education, and outreach,” Kooyumjian said. “The new facility is vital to this mission,” he concluded.
For more information see: Mizzou Awaits Funds for Teaching Winery
