Viticulture and Enology Student Spotlight: Shannon Dibble

 

Q: Why did you choose to attend Fresno State, and how did you pick your major?

"When I decided to go back to school in 2019, I knew I wanted to be a winemaker. For years I had enjoyed wine tasting and learning more about the different varieties and visiting tasting rooms and cellars to learn more about wine making, so when I decided I wanted to learn how to be  a winemaker I started researching schools. I was drawn to Fresno State because of the hands-on experience the students get from the enology and viticulture programs." 

 

Q: When do you intend to graduate?

"I am graduating in May 2024 with a Bachelors of Science in Enology with a minor in Viticulture." 

 

Q: What do you consider your hometown and /or where are you a native of?

"I was born and raised in Mission Viejo, California which is located in South Orange County." 

 

Q: Which classes and faculty members have had the biggest influence on you while at Fresno State?

"The fermentation class taught by Professor William Whalen helped me learn more about what style of winemaking I want to pursue. Being able to learn about other alcoholic fermentations beyond winemaking was immensely helpful in my career." 

Q: Talk about any campus farm units you have worked at, and skills you have learned that you can apply to your career.

"I was picked to be on the 2023-24 winemaking team here at Fresno State Winery after volunteering for a year. It was a huge accomplishment for myself because I had only worked in tasting rooms, so when I was given the chance to work in the cellar, I made sure to work really hard and prove to the winemaker that I could do the job. Since then, I have helped with all things winemaking. From bringing in the grapes, crush, wine scanning, data entry, and also packaging."

Q: Have you been involved with research on campus, and how will it benefit your career path?

"I did an independent study course with Dr. Kristy Sun for two semesters. Having laboratory experience is super important and helps graduate students stand out from other schools. It’s helped me understand the winemaking process, and why we do it what we do to wines."

 

Q: What was your background in agriculture before you started at Fresno State?

"I have an uncle in the business who exposed me to wine, specifically tasting profiles and sales so it definitely made it easier for me to understand and be interested in wine. Besides going wine tasting with my family and best friends, I had spontaneously applied to a tasting room position in Paso Robles in 2015 (age 23) and that’s when I knew this could be a career. After I finished my AA, I applied to Fresno State in the fall of 2019. I was accepted in the spring and started my first semester at Fresno State in the fall 0f 2020 (age 28)." 

 

Q: What clubs/organizations at Fresno State have you been a part of?

"In 2022, I joined Enology Society of Fresno as a member and then was chosen to be an officer. I was the social media coordinator and as of last year I was the Treasurer for Spring 2023-Spring 2024. I also have been an active member of the Viticulture Club for two years."

 

Q: Are there any other interesting notes about yourself?

"I love sports! I played soccer from age 8-19 and then coached 8-10 year-old girls with my dad for two years. In high school, I made the freshman basketball team with no prior experience and played till my senior year. I am a huge hockey fan (LA Kings) and baseball (LA Dodgers)." 

 

Q: What’s your potential next career step?

"I would like to continue my work in the cellar as a harvest intern in the Idaho wine country (Caldwell/Meridian/Boise area). I am currently looking for positions and hope to move shortly after graduation to begin my career in winemaking."