(ANS - Mendoza) - On 31 October the Don Bosco Faculty of Oenology marked half a century of existence. Its prestigious classrooms continue to educate students whose training is recognized throughout the world. It is a dream that began in 1965 and still maintains very high standards in the science and art of winemaking in the area of ​​Mendoza.

By María Laura Perigrinelli

Started by Fr Francisco Oreglia, the Don Bosco Faculty of Oenology was the first institution of its kind in Latin America. The President of Argentina, Dr Arturo Illia, was present on the opening day. Since then, it has become a leading player in agro-industrial development both regionally and nationally. It has also seen the growth of winemaking in all sectors and today the main Argentinean wineries and agro-industrial establishments rely on its graduates for their production facilities.

The Faculty of Oenology and the Fruit Growing Industry were born out of a double necessity: the evolution of the Don Bosco Wine School - after more than half a century of teaching the art of wine making it was now ready to offer fuller and more mature fruits; and, secondly, the needs of the winemakers and fruit growers of the time - which formed the basis of the economy of the region of Cuyo - and their increasing expansion both in terms of volume and quality, required technical staff who were trained and updated.

The Salesian work was also declared "A Provincial Heritage of Tourist Interest", as the birthplace of winemaking in Argentina.

Published 05/11/2015