WSU V&E Alumna Grows World-Class Grapes
By Brian Clark
CAHNRS Marketing & News Services
|
Julia Kock had been working as a human resource manager in the aluminum industry in south central Washington when the industry collapsed. Having an agricultural background and a master's in animal science, she thought she might like to get back into farming.
Searching the Web one day, Kock (pronounced Cook) found WSU's program in viticulture and enology. “WSU Tri-Cities popped up,” Kock said. “That was within driving distance. I was able to enroll as a junior.” Kock was a member of the first graduating class from WSU Tri-Cities in 2004.
“WSU was great,” Kock said. “The program was a combination of distance-over-video class and in-person lectures. One of the best things about it was getting to know the professors and getting one-on-one experience. And I made some really good friends, too!”
Today, she is the vineyard manager at Klipsun Vineyards in the prestigious Red Mountain AVA. “Red Mountain,” said Kock, “is all over the news because some extremely high-quality wines are being made from the grapes grown here. And it's booming; we're planting vineyards all over the place.”
Klipsun Vineyards was rated by Wine & Spirits magazine as one of the world's 25 best.
What does it mean to be a vineyard manager?
“If you were looking at this as a corporate structure,” Kock said, “I'm the human resources department, I'm the accounting department, the payroll department, and the viticulturist. The science is huge: it's everything from plant physiology, to irrigation and canopy management. It involves a lot of chemistry. To me, that's what makes the difference, because it's all based on science.”
Well grounded in science, management and business, Kock said “I love my job. I'm outside all the time, doing scientific stuff, which I really love. And I get to bring my dog to work.”
More information
Brian Clark interviews Kock at Klipsun Vineyards.