In December 2023, through the generous support of FIU alumni Tina Vidal-Duart '02, MBA '04 and Carlos Duart '94, MA '99, the Vidal-Duart Wine Studies Program was established with its state-of-the-art facilities and experienced faculty to lead the way in innovative, experiential, and accessible wine education. The program prepares graduates for professions across all sectors, from wineries, retail operations, distribution, online sales platforms, and wine industry technology and finance, to wine program management in restaurants, hotels, private clubs, cruise ships and the ever-expanding world of wine tourism.
History of the Wine Program
Established in 1972, the Wine Studies Program was led by Professor Patrick "Chip" Cassidy '75 (1947–2019), a world-renowned wine expert who made a life around his committed exploration of wine and sharing his passion with others, and ultimately with his beloved students. He was a master educator, a master motivator and a master mentor. Chip was the Director of the Wine Program at the Chaplin School and was the driving force behind the program’s success and reputation.
About the Program
The stunning Southern Glazer’s Beverage Management Center is home to the Vidal-Duart Wine Studies Program at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. A state-of-the-art wine classroom is the educational setting that visually tells the story of the wine curriculum and uses technology and modern pedagogy to transport learners to new destinations and learning experiences. A small sampling of what our students experience here includes wine and food laboratories, engaging wine tastings, guest lectures by top-notch industry experts and wine industry certification courses. The program offers a comprehensive array of industry-funded scholarships and is rounded out by an active and fully engaged student-run Wine Guild, a club for students who are passionate and want to learn more about the beverage. These features set our program apart.
Watch Our Vidal-Duart Wine Studies Program Tribute Dinner Video
Program Partners
The Chaplin School is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with Barton & Guestier USA, the exclusive importer of esteemed French wines from Barton & Guestier, Patriarche, and Listel. This collaboration enhances the Vidal-Duart Wine Studies Program by offering students immersive French wine education. Students can look forward to hands-on learning, expert-led masterclasses, and exclusive study abroad opportunities at the B&G Food & Wine Academy in Bordeaux, France.
Key Pillars
Faculty
- Chip Cassidy '75 Distinguished Professorship
- Harvey R. Chaplin Eminent Scholar Chair in Beverage Management
Scholarships and Fellowships
- Chip Cassidy '75 Endowment Fund
- International Wine & Food Society Scholarship
- Rioja Wine Program
- Jay Weiss Travel Award
Student Group
Facilities and Resources
- Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center
- Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Laboratory
- The Jay W. Weiss Wine and Spirits Laboratory
- Mel Dick Wine Tower
- Joseph Phelps Education Program
- Rioja Wine Vault
- Molly Dooker Wine Vault
Courses
- Global Wines of the World
- Food and Wine Pairing
- Wine Sensory & Perception
- Wine Marketing & Brand Development
- Contemporary Issues in the Wine Industry
- Understanding the Business of Wine
- Beverage Entrepreneurship
- Beverage Management Law
- Wine Technology
- The Art and Science of Winemaking
- Wine and Culture
- The History of Wine
- Guest Lecture Series in Wine
Meet the Team
Geralyn Brostrom, DBA
Associate Teaching Professor; Chip Cassidy '75 Distinguished Professor of [...]
gbrostro@fiu.edu
Barry Gump Ph.D.
Harvey R. Chaplin Eminent Scholar Chair in Beverage Management
305-919-4536
bgump@fiu.edu
HM 363
Jose A. Hernandez-Solaun
Assistant Professor; International Wine and Food Executive-in-Residence
305-919-4500
Gabriel Urrutia
Bevpreneur-In-Residence and FIU Hospitality Adjunct Professor
Eric Hemer
Assistant Professor; Senior Vice President, Product Education for Southern [...]
Innovative Learning Lab
Wine Studies Careers
Graduates can expect to find rewarding career opportunities in the following areas and many more:
- Hotel/Resort Beverage Management
- Strategic Brand Management
- Sales/Marketing Management
- Digital Program Management
- Wine Industry Educator
- Food & Beverage Manager
- Wine Portfolio Manager
- Finance and Technology Management
- Sommelier and Wine Buyer
- Wine Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications
- Wine Industry Business Analyst
- Wine Consultant
Support the Vision
The FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management's Vidal-Duart Wine Studies Program, situated in the vibrant city of Miami, Florida, serves as an ideal environment for cultivating the future leaders of the wine industry. Positioned in an international hub, this program boasts a broad global network, acting as a central hub to stimulate economic growth, foster collaboration at local, regional, national, and international levels, and serve as a launching pad for innovation in the wine industry.
Current Partners
- Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits
- The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®)
- The American Fine Wine Competition
- Carpe Vinum
- International Wine & Food Society
- Riedel (Official supplier of glassware for the Chaplin School)
- Rioja Wines
- Wine Spectator
- Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS)
Friends of the Vidal-Duart Wine Studies Program
Friends of the Vidal-Duart Wine Studies Program include individuals, organizations, collectors, wineries, and wine industry professionals who play an indispensable role in advancing our mission. For more information about joining our Friends program, please contact:
Shivani Joshi
Executive Director,
Global Philanthropy & Partnerships
Office: HM 217
Phone: 305-919-4510
Email: sjoshi@fiu.edu
Community Events & Experiences
The Vidal-Duart Wine Studies Program hosts community events where learners fully immerse themselves in the world of wine.