Winemakers plan, supervises and coordinates the production of wine or spirits from selected varieties of grapes.

Skill Level

1

Alternative Titles

• Oenologist

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Winemaker is Vocational & Education Training Assessment (VETASSESS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Qualification assessed at AQF Bachelor degree or higher in a highly relevant field of study AND at least one year of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years

OR

• Qualification assessed at AQF Bachelor degree or higher WITH an additional qualification at AQF Diploma level in a highly relevant field of study AND at least two years of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years

OR

• Qualification assessed at AQF Bachelor degree or higher WITHOUT a highly relevant field of study AND at least three years of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years
• Applicants must meet both the qualification and employment requirements to obtain a positive skills assessment

Important

According to VETASSESS, your pre-qualification experience may be considered in the skills assessment if it meets the following requirements:

• 5 years of relevant pre-qualification employment; and
• 1 year of highly relevant employment within the past five years

Study the chemical and physical properties of substances, develop and monitor chemical processes and production, develop new and improve existing food products, and plan and coordinate the production of wine and spirits.

Tasks

• Conducting experiments and tests to identify the chemical composition and reactive properties of natural substances and processed materials
• Analysing and conducting research to develop theories, techniques and processes, and testing the reliability of outcomes under different conditions
• Developing practical applications of experimental and research findings
• Testing food products for flavour, colour, taste, texture and nutritional content
• Advising on preserving, processing, packaging, storing and delivering foods
• Developing quality control procedures and safety standards for the manufacture of food products
• Examining grape samples to assess ripeness, sugar and acid content, and determining suitability for processing
• Coordinating winemaking processes, directing workers in testing and crushing grapes, fermenting juices, and fortifying, clarifying, maturing and finishing wines
• Blending wines according to formulae and knowledge of winemaking techniques

Skill Level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. In the case of Wine Makers, at least five years of experience may substitute for the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Occupations in this Group

• 234211 Chemist
• 234212 Food Technologist
• 234213 Wine Maker