How To Become A Winemaker In Australia: A Complete Guide

Do you have a passion for wines, creative and marketing skills, and like serving people? If yes, a career as a winemaker might be ideal for you.

Winemakers plan, oversee, and coordinate the wine production from chosen varieties of grapes. They work with viticulturists who look after the planting and cultivation of grapes.

To become a winemaker in Australia, you must complete a VET or bachelor's qualification in viticulture, oenology, wine chemistry, wine evaluation, or wine science. Having a work experience in the wine industry is an added advantage. 

Knowing the wine maker profession is essential when pursuing this career. This blog discusses the winemaker job description, required skills, winemaker courses, average salary, work conditions, and a lot more to help you make an impactful start.

1. What Is A Wine Maker?

Winemakers are also called "oenologists". They use their expert knowledge of the wine sciences and viticulture (grape cultivation) to produce wine.

They oversee the different stages in the winemaking process, including harvesting, pressing, crushing, fermentation, clarification, ageing, and bottling.

Winemakers use a scientific approach to determine the quality and "drinkability" of wines for consumers. It involves assessing their sweetness, acidity, sulphite, and sulphur levels and ensuring their top-value handling and care. 

Many experienced winemakers specialise in the research and development of wine.

2. What Does A Wine Maker Do?

The duties of a winemaker depend on the stage of wine production and the time of year. In general, they perform the following tasks:

• Grow grapes that are suitable for winemaking.

• Examine fruit samples to evaluate their ripeness, acid content, and sugar to determine appropriateness for processing

• Apply scientific theories to the winemaking process

• Crush the ripe grapes to produce wine

• Filter the wine to remove solids from it 

• Blend different varieties of wine as per the knowledge of winemaking techniques to make a new product

• Conduct lab and taste tests on the wine for quality

• Direct workers in fortifying, clarifying, finishing wines, and fermenting juices

• Supervise the wine production process 

• Coordinate the packing and delivery of finished wine

• Liaise with sales and marketing teams to ensure production meets the market demands and buyers sell wine

• Offer advice on the proper handling and conservation of grape samples and the wine production

• Work closely with viticulturists to cultivate and produce grapes and manage planting programs 

• Store the wine in a tank and casks for maturation

• Monitor the storage and bottling of the wine, including its hygiene and temperatures

• Test the quality of finished wine and ensure the quality is maintained at the time of storing in bottles 

• Conduct and lead wine tastings events and represent the organisation at the local/regional level

• Control inventory and devise creative solutions to deal with shortages 

• Identify wine flavours and suggest ideas to enhance production

• Conduct on-the-job training for cellar staff

• Lead wine tours, and advise tourists about different aspects of wine

3. Winemaker Skills

Being a winemaker isn't a glamorous job. It demands long days, persistence to handle Mother Nature, devotion to hygiene, and attention to detail.

Though the official wine season is for only two months a year, winemakers work throughout the year carrying out business activities such as fermentation, bottling, ageing, sales, and marketing. 

Here are the desirable job skills to work in this role:

• Passion for wine

• Excellent sense of smell and taste

• Knowledge of grapes and fermentation processes 

• Able to analyse and solve issues

• Able to make a precise observation

• Excellent attention to detail 

• Good interpersonal and communication skills

• An interest in marketing, sales, and finance 

• Physical fitness to do hard physical work for long hours 

• A background in chemistry 

• Willing to stay aware of industry developments and adhere to essential regulations and procedures 

• Planning, managerial, and organisation skills to lead a production team and manage different aspects of winemaking

• Initiative and enterprise

• Time management

• Teamwork

• Strong practical skills

• Commercial awareness

• Spontaneity

4. Winemaker Qualifications In Australia

There are no formal prerequisites to becoming a winemaker. However, most practising Winemakers qualify for viticulture and oenology. 

Here is how to qualify for this role:

1. Gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education in one or more prerequisite subjects such as English, chemistry, and mathematics.

2. Complete a Certificate III in Wine Industry Operations, such as a Bachelor of Viticulture or Oenology, Wine, and Wine Science, or a Diploma of Viticulture, to gain practical knowledge and build work experience. 

3. Those interested in advancing their studies can undertake a relevant postgraduate qualification in oenology. 

5. Steps To Become A Winemaker In Australia

Follow the below steps to start your winemaking career:

Step 1: Take A Short Winemaking Course

Start by taking a short course that gives you a general overview of the profession, the work environment, and the daily duties of the job. It is a great way to discover whether this profession aligns with your career aspirations.

Short Course Introduction To Winemaking - Melbourne Polytechnic

The course teaches the basics of winemaking - grape composition, wine styles, the process of wine production, wine quality testing, etc. This beginner course is for everyone interested in winemaking, wanting to pursue a Wine Maker career or enhancing their knowledge.

Step 2: Work As An Intern

An internship is an excellent opportunity to get a taste of wine work and realise whether wine work is for you. It is better to gain experience on the job before enrolling in expensive and lengthy training or educational programs.

When working as an intern, you meet with like-minded people and industry professionals that further help your career growth. Other benefits you can get during a winemaker apprenticeship include accommodation, meals, and stipends.

Start by contacting a winery to find any openings for harvest internships. Alternatively, you can look to work on an organic farm, obtain seasonal or temporary positions in winemaking regions, or volunteer to gain experience.

Step 3: Study For Professional Wine Making Courses

If you like the role and are interested in pursuing it as a career, then take the next step by completing relevant viticulture courses. It is the ideal way to prepare to work in this role.

Large corporate wineries usually recruit staff with technical and science backgrounds or industry-specific degrees capable of creating market-ready and shelf-stable products.

You can find VET courses and degree programs to learn the basics of Wine Making and develop practical skills to work accurately and confidently. 

Consider the following best viticulture courses in Australia to take your winemaking career to the next level:

Certificate III in Wine Industry Operations - TAFE NSW 

• Certificate III in Wine Operation describes the knowledge and skills required for operational workers to perform skilled tasks in a range of sectors, such as:

• Technical and procedural tasks in cellar operations

• Lab testing

• Bottling and packaging

• Customer service activities in the cellar door

• Warehousing

• Wine grape cultivation, harvesting, and post-harvesting

Diploma of Viticulture – GOTAFE Victoria

This online degree provides you with specialised knowledge in viticulture. 

You learn to manage the end-to-end winemaking process involving grape production, crop and soil management, irrigation design and maintenance, testing wine, and budgets.

Diploma of Wine Technology – GOTAFE Victoria

The degree gives you an understanding of how vineyard operations relate to wine quality. 

You gain competence in each stage of the winemaking process and the ability to form independent decisions and manage operations in a commercial winery while adhering to OH&S guidelines.

Bachelor of Wine Business - Charles Sturt University

This undergraduate degree offers theoretical and practical training in winemaking, viticulture, wine appraisal, and wine science.

You learn specialist business skills such as accounting, marketing, and management to set up and run your own wine business.

Bachelor of Wine Science - Charles Sturt University

Use your creative business skills and apply scientific knowledge to develop wines with this professional qualification.

The course teaches about different aspects of the wine industry. These include wine chemistry, wine sensory, and wine production techniques, which develop a strong base in chemistry, plant science, and microbiology that supports your wine science studies.

Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology - The University of Adelaide

It is among the highly recommended oenology courses to prepare for a Wine Maker profession in the Australian winemaking industry. 

Working in "on-campus vineyards", you learn the latest techniques and technologies to cultivate grapes and produce wine while focusing on natural and sustainable practices.

You have the opportunity to do an internship in oenology or viticulture. Graduates of the course can work as fully trained viticulturists or winemakers and manage their winery or vineyard. 

6. Working Conditions For A Winemaker

Winemakers usually work in large wineries in temperature-controlled areas to supervise the technical aspects of the business. 

In small wineries, they are responsible for the entire winemaking process, which includes cultivating grapes, bottling, and selling finished wine.

Working in this industry involves seasonal work. The peak activity periods (mainly at a vintage time during autumn) depend on the grape growing schedule and their employer. Winemakers may require to work for extended working hours during these peak periods.

You need to have the physical stamina to perform these tasks efficiently. The job involves spending a lot of time outdoors and doing tasks such as pressing and crushing grapes, pruning, and soil sampling, 

As an entry-level winemaker, you will do a lot of cleaning work, including cleaning tanks, barrels, floors and dragging bins, hoses, and buckets.

Full-time Winemakers generally work the standard number of hours a week and may require shift work 24*7, including on weekends and nights, monitoring the winemaking process. While at work, they must wear protective and safety equipment.

7. Winemaker Jobs In Australia

Winemakers work in wineries as most prefer to have their in-house team of workers. 

Most winemaker jobs exist in NSW, South Australia, and Victoria. However, some employment opportunities exist in Western Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania.

Winemakers often run and manage their vineyards and wineries. They may open them to public tours and tastings and take on extra duties such as research, logistics, and marketing. 

Some work in a laboratory setting to develop sustainable and innovative Winemaking methods and new blends and strains for other brands.

The most common job roles include:

• Vineyard manager

• Supervisor or foreperson

• Grape liaison officer

• Grape purchasing officer 

• Viticultural technical officer

8. Career Path For Winemakers

Winemakers usually start their careers as assistant winemakers or cellar associates. They gradually work their way up to becoming head winemakers. 

They can work as consultants for different wineries after gaining experience, specialise in a specific field within the wine industry, or establish and run their winery/vineyard.

9. How Much Does A Winemaker Make In Australia?

The winemaker's salary in Australia varies based on their education, geography, experience, and company. According to Pay Scale, the average salary for a Winemaker is AU$76,530 per year or an hourly AU$35.10. 

By gaining more experience, the earning potential increases more than new entrants into the industry.

• Early career Winemakers (1-4 years of experience): AU$64,111 

• Mid-career Winemakers (5-9 years of experience): AU$71,182 

• Experienced Winemakers (10-19 years of experience): AU$77,772 

10. Job Prospects Of Winemakers In Australia

ANZSCO Occupation Group: 234213 Wine Makers

Winemaking is a fine blend of art, science, and craft. As most Aussies prefer to consume it with their meals, there will always be demand for winemakers with good winemaking skills.

According to Labour Market Insights, job opportunities for Winemakers stayed steady over the last five years. Future demand in this profession looks optimistic and stable. There will be more opportunities in Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Manufacturing.

Currently, around 1,700 Winemakers in Australia work in areas that have suitable winemaking conditions, such as New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.

Working Arrangements

Around 85% of full-time Wine Makers work an average of 47 hours weekly. (All other jobs average: 44 hours per week)

Major Industries Of Employment

• Manufacturing: 89.2%

• Agriculture, Forestry, And Fishing: 4.2%

• Retail Trade: 2.4%

• Professional, Scientific, And Technical Services: 1.0%

• Other Industries: 2.9%

Percentage of Employment Across Australia

South Australia has the highest share of employment.

• New South Wales: 15.4%

• Victoria: 27.6%

• Queensland: 2.9%

• South Australia: 38.8%

• Western Australia: 11.6%

• Tasmania: 2.6%

• Northern Territory: 0.0%

• Australian Capital Territory: 1.1%

Worker's Age and Gender Profile

• The average age of employed workers in this profession is 42 years, with most of them between 35-44 years. (All other jobs average: 40 years).

• Females occupy around 20% of the workforce, which is 28 percentage points below the average of all other jobs, 48%.

11. Conclusion

We hope you have found the above information helpful in preparing for the Winemaker profession in Australia. 

Working in this career is a great way to relish your passion for wines while earning a decent salary. 

By gaining experience and mastering your skills, you can make a thriving, exciting, and meaningful career in winemaking.

Useful Links to Explore:

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