Viticulturist

What does a viticulturist do? A viticulturist’s job is to cultivate grapes, especially for winemaking. Viticulture, a word which comes from the Latin word for vine, was first explored as a process back in ancient Rome and later by French Cistercian monks who perfected the art of winemaking. To study viticulture is to learn about the preparation of the land and the subsequent planting, trellising, pruning and harvesting of grapes. It is a combination of practical farming, cultivating crops and canopy management, as well as the science of cultivation. Viticulturists must also guide wine farmers, as they determine how to manipulate their vineyards to produce optimum results. Viticulturists aim to enhance the quality of grapes through changes in soil, planting conditions, canopy constructions and utilising the weather. It is a branch of horticulture, a bridge between the science of botany and the practicality of agriculture.

What qualifications are needed? Viticulture is scientific. It investigates the chemistry of grapes and soil science, as well as agriculture, planting, cultivating and harvesting. A course can approach viticulture as both a modern biological science and as a branch of horticulture, combining practical skills, such as vineyard maintenance and wine production with microbiology and wine analysis. Modules will also focus on pests and diseases, while additional modules on business management and the wine industry can be undertaken as well. There is a great range of courses in viticulture and oenology (the study of wine) abroad, especially in Australia and New Zealand, although you will have to apply for a student visa and get in touch with universities in these countries directly.

What about personal qualities? To become a viticulturist requires a love of the outdoors, an interest in the wine industry and willingness to work sporadic hours that vary according to weather, season and economic demand. The mainstream market is key to the production of wine grapes. Therefore, a viticulturist must have a taste for what consumers want, and ideally for wine itself!

What specific careers can you go into? Viticulturists could become researchers – employed by the Agricultural Research Society, for example – or managers within the wine industry, working on wine farm estates or for private companies. Other options include vineyard managers, cellar managers, wine buyers, project scientists or teachers. Although the wine industry is blossoming in the south of England, it is very likely that viticulture will take you abroad, be that in an English-speaking country such as Australia, New Zealand or the US, or somewhere such as France, Portugal, Greece or Germany.