Cochise Newsroom

New viticulture program connects students to science, agriculture, sustainability and career opportunities in Cochise County. 

 

Students do not have to move out of state or out of the county to study wine grapes.

 

One of Arizona’s major wine-growing regions is already here in Cochise County, where vineyards stretch across Willcox, tasting rooms welcome visitors to rural communities, and local growers are helping cultivate Arizona's wine industry.

 

Cochise College is preparing students to be part of that momentum through the Viticulture Program. This new certificate provides students with hands-on training for careers in the study of grape production, grapevine biology, vineyard design, planting and management.

 

The college received a charitable contribution supporting a program that connects students with one of the region’s unique industries.

 

“We are proud to launch a program that expands opportunity and supports student success,” said Dr. James Perey, Cochise College President. “Naming the Science Building in Douglas in honor of Ann Marie Stephens is a fitting tribute to her generosity and to the lasting impact this program will have. It reflects our commitment to being student-centered, community-anchored, and future-focused.”

 

The new 16-credit certificate can be completed in less than a year. Students can finish the program in two semesters, or about 32 weeks. Classes will be offered collegewide, making the program accessible to students across Cochise County. Enrollment begins this fall.

 

The program is designed to meet students where they are while preparing them for opportunities close to home. Through partnerships with local employers, students will gain practical experience and access to professionals working in southeastern Arizona’s viticulture industry.

Students will study both the science and art of the wine industry, from grapevine cultivation and vineyard management to the broader business of wine. The goal is to prepare graduates for a field that blends science, agriculture, sustainability and workforce development.

 

Cochise County is home to the Willcox American Viticultural Area. The area is known for ideal grape-growing conditions and produces 74 percent of Arizona’s wine grapes. The region has become a major player in Arizona’s wine industry, with more than 1,300 acres of vineyards in Willcox and Cochise County. 

 

The county’s reputation continues to grow. Of 106 Arizona winners at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, 75 were sourced from the Willcox and Cochise County grape region.

 

For local students, that means opportunity is not somewhere else. It is right here in Cochise County.

 

The Viticulture Program honors the legacy of Stephens, who was an early champion of the state’s wine industry and helped bring Arizona wines into wider public view.

 

After spending several years as a clothing buyer, Stephens enrolled in school to study wine. That decision opened a new chapter in her life, allowing her to travel, visit wineries and vineyards, and share food and wine with renowned culinary figures, including James Beard and Julia Child.

 

In the 1990s, Stephens was hired by AJ’s Fine Foods to help plan the wine department at a Scottsdale location. For many Arizona wineries, their first wholesale sale came through Stephens. She was instrumental in helping Arizona wines enter a chain retail setting at a time when the industry was still gaining recognition.

Stephens achieved master sommelier status in 1996 and went on to lead one of the busiest wine departments in Arizona. She also had a sharp eye for business and investing, including the stock market. Her desire to leave a positive legacy in the Arizona wine industry continues through a fund established to support faculty, program expenses, scholarships and internships on an ongoing basis. Cochise College was identified as the institution best positioned to fulfill her wish.

 

Students can enroll now for fall classes, which begin Aug. 17, 2026. To learn more about the program, visit www.cochise.edu/viticulture.