Fresno State's Farm Market is Full of Award Winning Treasures

Fresno State University has the only licensed winery in the nation and it's ag programs are teaching the next generation to make wine and produce food.

The sign nestled under the orchard blossoms at the edge of Fresno State will lead you to the Fresno State Farm Market.

Inside, customers were tasting and lining up to buy this years just released premium signature olive oil; last years was an award winner.

Art Rittue, farm market customer, says, "I'm looking forward to it. This is maybe the 3rd best I've ever tried." Rittue wasn't alone. This Fresno State teacher, and native of Greece, loves it too. Jason Charalambides says, "How should I say? Exceptional? " He bought 3 bottles at 15 bucks a pop.

The award winning olive oil was sold out in December. So is another university winner, this dessert wine "Solari". Both made by students.

Gino Favagrossa, Fresno State Orchard Manager, says, "Everything we do around here has to have an educational tie in to it, we don't do it just to be making a product we do it with an education tie in."

Over at the University's Enology Department the case is full of medals. Solari's hasn't arrived yet ...but Double Gold is a coupe.

Ken Fugelsang, Fresno State Winemaster, says, "The entire panel of judges agree that it is good enough that every one of them will give that wine a gold."

The next vintage of the so-called 'ice-style wine' is in production. The grapes were harvested late and frozen for several months. The juice is being pressed this week. Several classes of student wine-makers will be part of its production over the next two years.

Fugelsang says, "They're learning winemaking skills and one of the major ones there is patience."

There are many lessons being learned in the University's orchards and vineyards, its classrooms and at this unique farm market.

CSUF student and farm market manager Jennifer Sobieralski says, "It is the best kept secret. We only sell products that are harvested, grown or created by Fresno State students."

Here at the farm store the profits from those lessons are being plowed back into the award winning programs that produced them.

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•