Armed with tents, sleeping bags and wool hats, dozens of students camped out in the Quad late Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, shivering through the night for love of wine.

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Courtesy of Sean Truong

Students camped out Wednesday night to register Thursday morning for a popular wine-tasting class offered at the French House.

They were in line for one of the University’s most popular courses: a one-unit activity course on wine tasting offered at the French House. By 7:30 a.m. yesterday, when sign-ups for the class began, over 100 students were waiting in line.

Formally known as French Viticulture, the class regularly draws hundreds of prospective students every quarter hoping to grab one of its 60 coveted seats. This spring has been no exception, as graduating seniors with extra room in their schedules try to make the most of their remaining time at Stanford.

Many of the campers had their spots staked out several hours before sign-ups began yesterday morning.

Stephanie Potter ‘07 arrived with her friends at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night, a full 10 hours before sign-ups began. To pass the time, they watched episodes of the TV show “Felicity” on a laptop, went on walks and ate Domino’s pizza that they had delivered to the Quad.

“It’s not because I had to, but because I wanted to,” Potter said about camping out, echoing the strong interest many students have in the class.

But with only 60 spots up for grabs, many students who braved the early morning chill had little hope of joining the class. In fact, students who arrived as early as 5 a.m. were turned away when they got to the sign-up sheet and were told that the list was full.

“By the time we got to the end of the line, we knew we couldn’t get in, but they could have at least let us sign up so we wouldn’t feel like we wasted our time,” said Kenneth Shaw ‘07, who missed the chance to be on the waiting list by three people. “You couldn’t even sign up your name to show that you were there.”

In sum, 71 students added their names to the sign-up list — the last spot being determined between two friends in a game of rock-paper-scissors. Final determinations for the class roster were made at an organizational meeting last night.

Top priority is given to residents of the French House, who signed up for the course independently of yesterday’s early morning line and pay only $45 (non-residents are charged $85 to take the class). Whatever spots remain after French House students are finished signing up are then offered to the general student population.

While all participants must be 21 or older, seniority has no effect in deciding who gets into the class. Though students often complain about this rule, saying that seniors do not have the chance to take the class again, course organizer Patricia de Castries, assistant director of the language center, is strict when it comes to course policies, insisting that they keep entry into the class fair.

The course, designed to teach students about the different types of wine through tastings and field trips, has earned a reputation over its six-year existence. Once, de Castries said, President John Hennessy walked into a class and tasted wine with students. Wineries have also sent the class invitations to come visit to taste its wine.

De Castries offered some advice for students who want to get into the course. “The thing is just try, try, try,” she said. “It’s tough, but I can’t do anything about it.”

“It’s very good if you come with your girlfriend,” she added. “You stay cozy that way.”

After a long night, students who scored a top spot on the list appeared relieved, ultimately believing that the wait was worth it.

“You know it’s a good night,” one student said after signing up, “when you have wine stains on your pants.”