YVC Incubator Provides Opportunities for Startup Winemakers

A new startup winery has joined the incubator program of Yakima Valley College’s Vineyard and Winery Technology program.

Emily Christensen of Fortuity Cellars called the relationship symbiotic.

“The wine industry is really cost intensive so to be able to have a space of our own where we can make the wine, share equipment so we don’t have to put all that money in right away to equipment. We can focus on putting those resources towards high quality grapes, towards the barrels and packaging. It seemed like the right fit.”

Plus the students can get to witness and even help a professional winery and get some real world experience.

And Christensen said that knowledge students are learning is great for the future of Washington wine.

“Especially as Washington wines are really hot right now too, so the more we can help support the industry as a whole is a good thing.”

Christensen said anyone interested in becoming a winemaker should strongly consider this incubator idea because of all the resources they would have access to.

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