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The Bachelor's degree course in Viticulture & Enology started the new academic year on August 2, 2021 with 53 dual students. It was particularly pleasing that  all new students were able to start their studies at the Wine Campus together and in presence! For the winter semester, normal operations are planned as far as possible with all students returning to the campus. The necessary structures were put in place at an early stage. 
Unlike last year, the traditional barbecue at the Wine Campus could also take place again. Everyone had missed the opportunity for students and lecturers to get to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere during the coronavirus year. Mayor Weigel had also invited the new students to the town hall to welcome them. He told the students interesting facts about the city of Neustadt. Afterwards, they had the opportunity to talk to the mayor about their first impressions and experiences in their new adopted home over a glass of sparkling wine.

Students at the Wine Campus have always benefited from small groups and individual support, but this is an even greater advantage during the pandemic. "We are proud that even in this difficult situation, students at the Wine Campus Neustadt are able to complete their studies within the standard period of study and that all important content is taught both theoretically and practically," says course director Prof. Dr. Dominik Durner.

Thanks to the rapid adaptation to the new conditions, attendance registration using QR codes and the division into smaller groups, a lot has been made possible. One major advantage is the cooperation with the Rural Area Service Center (DLR) Rhenish Palatinate. Most lectures will take place in the auditorium of the Rural Area Service Center (DLR) Rhenish Palatinate, where larger groups can also teach and learn together while observing social distancing rules.

"For the winter semester, we are planning normal operations as far as possible with all students returning to campus, which is also what the students are eagerly hoping for. We created the necessary structures early on and our hygiene concept has worked. If many more people are now vaccinated, I am confident that it will be possible to have a full presence at the Wine Campus Neustadt in the winter semester," explains Wilhelma Metzler, Managing Director of the Wine Campus Neustadt. 

Mayor Weigel welcomes the new students in the town hall

A highlight of the first study block was the welcoming of the new students by the Lord Mayor of Neustadt, Marc Weigel. On August 18, he met the 53 new students in Neustadt's town hall courtyard.

"In future, the students will not only learn how to make wine, but also what special significance viticulture has for the city of Neustadt an der Weinstraße," said Lord Mayor Weigel.

Before the welcome in the town hall, the students took part in a guided tour of the town with the tour guides and culture and wine ambassadors Barbara Fröhlich-Zeller and Kerstin Pontasch, which was organized by Tourist, Kongress und Saalbau GmbH (TKS). The reception was followed by a cozy dinner with delicious tarte flambée in the wine tavern "Zur Herberge" and a welcome by the Neustadt Community Foundation. 

Welcoming the new students is a fixed date in Lord Mayor Marc Weigel's calendar. He not only wants to get to know the students personally, but also to talk to them and further strengthen the good cooperation between the city of Neustadt an der Weinstraße and the Wine Campus in Mußbach. 

Ice cream truck provides cooling

After the first day of lectures at the Wine Campus, there was a welcome way for the new students to cool down: the ice cream truck from the "smallest EIZ manufactory in the world" from Deidesheim was a guest on the campus grounds. "Create your own ice cream" is their motto, the ice cream varieties are produced without any artificial flavors or colors, only natural ingredients are allowed. An exciting sensory experience for our new students and of course it was delicious too.