CMU Tech Enology Program Receives $50,000 Grant from ETS Laboratories
Colorado Mesa University's Viticulture & Enology Program at CMU Tech has received a $50,000 grant from ETS Laboratories in St. Helena, California, marking a significant boost for western Colorado's winemaking industry. The grant, to be distributed in annual installments of $10,000 over five years, will extend ETS Laboratories' sophisticated analytical services to CMU Tech and, by extension, the Colorado winemaking community.
ETS Laboratories, a leader in wine analysis, has recognized the growing potential of the wine industry in western Colorado and CMU Tech's commitment to enology education and this collaboration aims to enhance the quality and prestige of wines from the region using CMU Tech as a vital link.
CMU Tech will act as an intermediary between ETS Laboratories and local vintners by facilitating and hosting future seminars on advanced enology subjects open to all Colorado wine industry members. This partnership is expected to bring increased access to, and understanding of, advanced scientific resources to the region's vineyards and wineries, thereby strengthening the region’s wine industry.
"Receiving this grant from ETS Laboratories is an incredible opportunity," said Ryan Avery Follensbee, Technical Instructor of Viticulture and Enology at CMU Tech. "This opens learning opportunities for both our students in the classroom and local winemakers through future learning sessions, from the generous access to these top-tier wine analytical services."
The grant will afford CMU's viticulture & enology students access to industry-leading wine analysis, enhancing both their educational journey and future job prospects. The grant is also an investment in the economic development of western Colorado's wine industry as improved wine quality can increase the region's standing in national and international markets.
"This partnership is beneficial for all involved," said ETS Co-Founder Marjorie Burn, a TTB Certified Chemist. “It aligns with our goal of growing alongside the wine industry and partnering to create the world’s finest wines."
With this new collaboration, students, faculty and local wine producers at CMU Tech are enthusiastic about the upcoming opportunities that these industry-leading analyses will provide. The funding from ETS Laboratories will take western Colorado's winemaking potential to the next level and will ensure continued growth for CMU's viticulture & enology program.
The grant is complementary to other significant support for the program including an endowment that created the Warren Winiarski, Gerald Ivancie Institute of Viticulture and Enology. A program established in 2021 through a $150,000 grant from the Winiarski Family Foundation, the charitable foundation established by Winiarski and his wife, Barbara.
For more information on the enology program and the ETS Laboratories partnership, visit the CMU Tech viticulture and enology program page and the ETS Labs website.