New Director Appointed for the CWU Global Wine Studies Degree

ELLENSBURG, Wash., Feb. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Central Washington University has hired a veteran within the Washington Wine Industry as the Director of the Global Wine Studies Degree.  Miranda Porterfield has brought her breadth of knowledge and experience from her numerous management positions in the wine industry. 

Porterfield began her career in the Washington State Wine industry as the Tasting Room and Wine Club Manager at Cave B Winery during the development of Cave B Inn at SageCliffe.  She assisted Chef Fernando Divina along with MTM Management to establish the Food and Beverage program for the Inn.  Porterfield returned to the winery enhancing the distribution program and direct sales throughout the state, managing 5 distributors and direct accounts.  She quickly recognized the potential for Washington State as an international wine producing contender, thus, furthered her skills and knowledge by earning a Wine MBA from Bordeaux E'cole de Management (BEM) in Bordeaux, France. 

Upon returning to Washington State, she collaborated with Bunnell Family Cellars to steer their marketing and sales in Washington and new national markets.  Finally, she took on the responsibilities of managing the wine club and private events at Swiftwater Cellars along with assisting the General Manager on daily operations of the winery and restaurant.  Porterfield has been teaching Marketing and Branding, Sensory Analysis, International Wine Trade and the Global Wine Industry for the Global Wine Studies Degree since 2013. 

"We are delighted to have such an experienced and uniquely qualified professional in the area of wine marketing as a part of the Global Wine Studies team," according to Duane Dowd and Rob Perkins, Co-chairs of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences where GWS is housed.  "We are excited about the new directions and partnerships that Miranda will have the opportunity to develop in the coming years."

In this role, Porterfield will take on the duties of academic/career advising for students in the major; create program budgets; continue strategic planning for curriculum changes of the degree for relevance; collaborate with local/county/state organizations including regional wine associations; and, launch an advertising and recruitment campaign for stronger enrollment in the program. 

About the CWU Global Wine Studies Degree: 

The CWU Global Wine Studies Degree is a Bachelor of Science educating students in sensory analysis, viticulture, enology and the business acumen necessary in managing wineries.  Unique to the CWU Global Wine Studies Program, the knowledge gained gives our students specialization to manage marketing, distribution, sales, direct to consumer and daily operations of a winery. http://www.cwu.edu/family-consumer/bs-global-wine-studies.

Media Contacts:
Miranda J. Porterfield, CWU Global Wine Studies Program
(509) 952-8608 / [email protected]

SOURCE Central Washington University

Related Links

http://www.cwu.edu