Cork Master Class 2024: A Journey from Forest to Bottle
A Unique Learning Experience with Cork Supply
Read Meghan Meharg's interview with CHANTS News in this article.
This year, Cork Supply hosted 11 enology students from 8 prestigious universities from around the world, who were selected based on a paper they had to present about the future of the wine industry. Our aim was to impart our knowledge and passion for cork production, from the forest to bottle, and to help the next generation of industry professionals with practical insights into sustainable practices.
Explore the full experience through the perspective of Megan Meharg, one of the participants, in her interview with CAHNRS News.
A graduate student at Washington State University, Meharg was one of 11 students selected from around the world to visit Portugal this summer through a scholarship program hosted by Cork Supply, a manufacturer of corks for the wine and spirits industry. During the five-day trip, the group tasted the country’s local cuisine, made new wine industry connections, and gained a better understanding of how wine corks are made.
“It was a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Meharg, who has a bachelor’s degree in viticulture and enologyand is currently pursuing a master’s degree in food science. “I was shocked and ecstatic when I found out I had been chosen to go.”
Founded in 1981 and based in Portugal, Cork Supply operates production facilities throughout the world. Committed to sustainability, the company utilizes renewable sources like solar power and manufacturing byproducts such as cork dust to generate energy for its factories. Cork Supply’s inaugural student trip immersed participants in a region known for its cork tree forests, offering them an experiential look at how the closures are made.
“This experience helps students gain a more complete understanding of the entire winemaking process and the impact of certain choices made during that process,” said Greg Hirson, Cork Supply global director of innovation and the trip’s leader. “We want to be a source of knowledge and expertise for students early in their careers so they can be well-informed decisionmakers in their field. This trip is a great chance for them to learn and invest in their futures.”
