About the Series

In partnership with the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association, we are proud to be part of the ThinkND virtual series exploring wine, beer, and spirits. All lectures are presented virtually, free to attend, and open to all.

Most people enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner, and some discuss the complexities of taste, but we’re returning to basics. What is wine? How is it made? Let’s start from the beginning and build a base of understanding to explore all things wine in the Wine, Behind the Curtain series. We’ll share how to experience your favorite bottle and what decisions or locations affect its flavor and aroma. Wine will be more interesting with your newfound knowledge, and you will have more fun discussing wine with your friends.

From Grapes Into Wine

The best wines have a bit of mystique - a nebulous area where the science and art of winemaking meet, personified in the winemakers themselves. What is the life of a winemaker like beyond the picture postcard of slow walks in rolling vineyards swathed in gentle fog and wine swirled in the perfect glass, abundant cheese board at the ready? How do winemakers use their formidable skills to taste and blend wine to ensure wineries meet their target quality and style? From understanding viticulture and how to achieve flavorful grapes to managing yearly weather patterns and the labor intensive wine production process to educating winery guests, we'll explore the practical side of how grapes are made into wine. Join Notre Dame Professor Holly Goodson, a biochemist who teaches the science of fermentation and is an advisor to a commercial vineyard, in a discussion about winemaking with Andrew Waterhouse, the Director of the Robert Mondavi Institute and Chris Kajani, winemaker and general manager of Bouchaine, the oldest continuously operating winery in the Carneros region in the southern tip of Napa Valley.

Join us for this new series from the College of Science and Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame, in collaboration with the Robert Mondavi Institute at UC Davis, and co-sponsored by YoungND and Notre Dame Senior Alumni.

More Resources:

Visit the ThinkND Series website to find more resources, including speaker biographies, short videos, articles and recordings of past events.