Matt Ridge reaps the fruits of biology (06-25-07)
After he graduated from Adams State College with a degree in biology, Matt Ridge '97 could have chosen a career working with coffee, blood, or wine. He chose the substance that affords the best buzz professionally and now manages a winery in northern California.
"When I first began, I had no idea about the wine industry," Ridge said. This led to a seasonal job at another winery testing wines and preparing reports for the winemakers." Ridge said he didn't consider the positions the start of a career.
"I wanted to go back to Colorado and become a ski bum," he said.
Instead, Ridge became an oenologist, one who studies wines and winemaking. After three months, Ridge was hired full time to assist with research as a direct result of experience he received as a student at Adams State. With minors in chemistry and environmental science, Ridge took the opportunity to design and conduct an original research project with the Division of Mines in Creede, Colo.
With the help of his advisor and chemistry professor, Dr. Frank Novotny, Ridge tested the remediated waters from constructed wetland ponds for heavy metals. He analyzed water samples near the mines to see if the restoration efforts were successful.
"I got the job as an oenologist because of my wetland project," he said.
Ridge credits his success on the project to Novotny. He said Novotny not only corrected his research paper three times, but, on that third time, Novotny invited him to his house to review the paper Ridge had worked so diligently on.
"It was 10:30 at night, and I got a call from Frank," Ridge said, remembering his final project. "So I went to his house and saw that he had bled over the paper I was so proud of."
"Working with Matt is an example of why I am in education," Novotny said, noting the two are still in contact. "Matt and I both grew intellectually and personally while working on the research project."
Both Ridge and Novotny believe the small-school environment of Adams State promotes relationships between the students and professors.
"A small school provides the opportunity for interactions between faculty and students to take place by putting them in close contact with each other on a regular basis," Novotny said.
"I can recall taking classes with eight to 13 students," Ridge said. "This allows you to build really good relationships with professors. The professors treat you like adults."
Ten years later, Ridge has a job he loves. He said every day brings something different. As a winemaker, Ridge manages Weibel Vinyards, a small facility that produces 5,000 tons of fruit each season. Although Ridge works at least 10 hours a day during the harvest, he said he has a unique, enjoyable job.
"I really love it," he said. "Especially the seasonality; it constantly changes. The other part I enjoy is that I'm actually making something."
