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Winemaker

Winemakers make wine from grapes and other fruit.

Tasks & duties

Winemakers may do some or all of the following:

discuss fruit quality and quantity with grape growers (viticulturists) throughout the growing season
develop new wine styles, and improve the wine quality
use equipment to process the grapes, such as crushing and pressing
add yeast to ferment the juice into wine
control the fermenting process by constant monitoring and adjusting
store wine in barrels or casks for fermentation and/or maturing
take test samples of the wine to monitor its maturity
ensure legal standards and specifications, such as the alcohol levels of New Zealand and the country of export, are met
filter, bottle and package the wine for sale
manage winery workers
educate other staff about winemaking procedures
ensure that OSH (Occupational Safety and Health) standards are met
maintain winemaking equipment and machinery
solve technical errors or faults, to avoid detriment to the wine
make monthly reports to directors of the company they work for
prepare tasting notes and labels
record procedures, blends and inventories
market and sell the wine

Some winemakers may also carry out the tasks of grape growers if working for a small winery

Skills & knowledge

Winemakers need to have:

knowledge of different wine styles and varieties
good sensory skills for sampling wine
knowledge of winery and vineyard technology
practical skills, including knowledge of engineering and flow process technology (pumps and hoses)
knowledge of wine related science, such as chemistry, biology and microbiology, and laboratory skills
understanding of hygiene and sterilisation methods
knowledge of bottling, labelling, packaging and marketing wines
good communication skills and the flexibility to deal with people from all levels of the winemaking industry
planning and organisational ability
business, management and marketing skills

Winemakers who spend time working in the vineyard may need to know how to operate vehicles such as tractors or fork-lifts. Knowledge of first aid and safety may also be helpful.

Entry requirements

To become a winemaker you need to have a degree, diploma or certificate in winemaking or a Bachelor of Science. Some vintage experience is also usually preferred.

Secondary education

A tertiary entrance qualification is needed to enter further training. Useful subjects include maths, English and science subjects, particularly chemistry.

Training on the job

Skills are gained on the job, including how to do taste and smell tests of the wine. Some qualifications can be completed by correspondence while working on a vineyard.

Useful experience

Winemakers need to have vineyard experience even if they have formal winemaking qualifications. Experience in wine sales, tasting or serving, or laboratory experience in breweries or dairy factories may also be useful.