Cork Supply, a leading provider of high-quality corks and closures for the wine industry, has successfully concluded its Cork Harvesting events at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). These educational events aimed to deliver next-generation cork education to students, enhancing their understanding of sustainable practices and the importance of cork in the wine industry.
“We have an obligation to educate the next generation of winemakers and wine consumers about the amazing properties of natural cork,” said Peter Hladun, CEO of Cork Supply in North America. “Hosting these cork harvesting events at esteemed wine education universities is a perfect fit. Natural cork is the most sustainable product a winemaker can choose, and it has a direct impact on helping our environment. We are grateful to Cal Poly and UC Davis for allowing us to host these events and harvest their beautiful cork trees!”
The events, held on May 28th at Cal Poly and May 30th at UC Davis, saw enthusiastic participation from students, faculty, and industry professionals. Attendees received hands-on experience in cork harvesting, learning about the intricate processes involved in producing this crucial component for wine and spirits closures.
“What a thrill it is to host such a rare and insightful event,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “This unique Learn by Doing opportunity for Cal Poly students, faculty, and others is invaluable. Our thanks to Matt Ritter, Cork Supply, and everyone else who took part.”
David E. Block, Ph.D., Professor of Viticulture and Enology, added, “Being able to see a cork harvest in person is a terrific and unique experience for our students! Packaging, including cork, is a critical part of our curriculum. Normally, students would need to travel to Portugal to see this in person. We appreciate that Cork Supply brought their artisans to Davis for our students and our larger community.”
Highlights of the Cork Harvesting Events:
- Hands-On Harvesting Experience: Students and attendees witnessed the cork harvesting process, gaining practical knowledge about sustainable harvesting techniques that ensure the health and longevity of cork oak trees.
- Fascinating Cork Harvest Facts: Participants learned that corkwood is gently harvested from trees every nine years without damaging them, cork trees can live for approximately 200 years, and cork harvesting is predominantly done by hand from June through August. Additionally, a cork tree produces cork for wine stoppers starting with its third harvest, and cork harvesters work in pairs, holding one of the highest-paying agricultural jobs in the world.
Following these successful events, Cork Supply plans to continue its educational initiatives, promoting sustainable practices and supporting the next generation of wine industry professionals.
The Cork Supply Scholarship program is the next step in this initiative. This program aims to support students pursuing careers in the wine industry by sending 10 students from seven different countries to Portugal. “This year we launched the Cork Supply Scholarship, a program to bring students from viticulture and enology programs around the world to Portugal for a week to see the cork harvest, learn about cork production, and network with students in similar programs,” said Greg Hirson, Global Director of Innovation for Cork Supply. “The program complements the cork bark harvest events we organized this year with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Davis; both evince our deep commitment to building knowledge, awareness, and appreciation for cork.” The first Cork Supply Scholarship winners traveled to Portugal in late June.
Cork Supply’s initiatives, including the California cork harvest and the scholarship program, align with the company’s Harvesting for the Future strategy. This approach encompasses GHG emissions reduction, efficient use of raw materials, and the incorporation of cork manufacturing by-products into new products. The company continues to prioritize continuous learning, R&D, social responsibility, and sustainability, demonstrating its promise: trusted from forest to bottle.
