People are not drinking as much at bars and restaurants during this recession, but they have

not stopped drinking.  U.S. sales of California wines totaled 467 million gallons last year, up 2%

from the previous year.  Those buying are looking more closely at cheaper selections so the

overall retail value of California wine sales fell slightly from 2007.  Napa Valley College’s wine

program students are encouraged to sniff, swirl, sip and sell their assignments.  The idea is to

provide vocational training for would-be workers at the local wine industry.  More schools have

won approval to sell wines produced in the classroom, students learn not just how to make it,

but also how to get it to market.  Fresno State Winery was the first commercial winery at a

U.S. college, opening a decade ago.  Typically, it produces between 10,000 and 12,000 cases

a year with sales of about $500,000.  Other schools that will be selling wine this year are Santa

Rosa Community College, Walla Walla Community College and South Seattle Community College.