• You want to develop the art and skills behind Viticulture from site selection of a vineyard to producing exceptional wines.
• You want to uncover the rich heritage and innovation defining the timeless tradition of Grape Growing and Winemaking and prepare for a career shaping the future of grape and wine production.
• You want a career where your skills will be welcomed on a global scale.

Then this is the course for you.

To make an informed choice about the suitability of this course, please consider the essential skills and knowledge below. You must: 

• Express an interest in growing grapes and producing wine.
• Have active participation and engagement in the Grape Growing and Wine Making Industry.
• Enjoy practical / manual work with good fitness levels.
• Enjoy nature, outdoors and willingness to work in a rural environment.
• Demonstrate a collaborative and positive approach to teamwork.
• Show ability to cope with varied outdoor weather conditions (e.g., heat, rain, cold, wind).
• Be able to cope with nature (e.g., flies, insects, spiders).
• Demonstrate the ability to cope with seasonal work, requiring long hours and weekend work during the grape harvest period (approximately 8-12 weeks during late summer/autumn).
• Show a self-directed approach to learning.
• Display sound digital literacy skills.
• Able to follow Work Health and Safety procedures and respond to immediate safety risks.
• Show tolerance, patience and the willingness to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

This course will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to meet the career pathways of a Vineyard Manager, Winemaker, Viticulture Research or Consultancy in the Wine Industry. You will develop specialised knowledge in Viticulture, including grape production, soil and crop management, irrigation systems and biosecurity measures. You will gain a sound understanding of the wine making process, how to evaluate wine and manage teams.

Time Commitment – You will need to allocate appropriate time to complete this course. This includes attending classes on-site and/or online as outlined in the study mode; and undertake independent study outside of class hours, including private study, assessment preparation, research and complete assessment requirements. 

Below are some of the important personal skills you will be required to develop and demonstrate during training. These skills are highly valued by industry:

• Respectful Communication - Interact with people from different backgrounds, share ideas effectively and build trust.
• Teamwork – Collaborate with others, show them respect, and be open to feedback.
• Problem Solving - There is always a solution. How do you respond to a challenge? If you spot a problem, we encourage you to ask questions, clarify as needed, and respond appropriately within your training.
• Initiative - Stay motivated, take proactive steps, and seek help when necessary.
• Planning - Manage time well. Knowing how to prioritise and completing your tasks efficiently are crucial for your success.
• Self-Management - Reflect on your performance. Reflection is a powerful tool for growth and success as a student at South Regional TAFE. Being a professional in the workplace can mean learning when to accept responsibility for your failures as often as your successes. This is how we learn!
• Learning – Recognise what your strengths already are. Then embrace all the new knowledge and experience from your South Regional TAFE journey to grow as a student. Some of the skills you will learn include:
  • Plan and manage long-term weed, pest and disease control in crops.
  • Apply biosecurity measures.
  • Manage enterprise staff requirements.
  • Develop a grape production plan.
  • Monitor and manage soils for production.
  • Install and manage pressurised irrigation systems.
  • Diagnose plant health problems.
  • Manage a wine making process and evaluate wines.
• Technology - Adapt to new tools, access digital resources, and integrate technology into your learning.