Winemaker OPERATIONS/PRODUCTION/ SKILLED TRADES WINEMAKER Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir– these are just a few types in the long list of wines available. Some wine is made in a small vineyard with only a small patch of grapes while others are produced in vineyards composed of rows upon rows of grapes. Wine is well-known around the world, especially in Italy, but did you know that Canada also has a growing number of vineyards? Canada’s wine growing regions are over 31,001 acres and contain 616 wineries. However, when it comes to ice wine, Canada is the world’s largest consistent producer. Wine is a significant contributor to many countries’ GDP and there are many people involved. There are many people in the industry who are called winemakers this career profile will focus on lead winemakers in a general sense. Many times, individuals will have more specialized job (and titles!) than what is mentioned here. 1. Winemakers Make Wine Winemakers produce wine by following the process of winemaking from grape to bottle. Their job depends on the size and focus of the winery, but essentially, they make wine. Winemakers work with viticulturists for future planting programs and make sure that grapes are grown and harvested at the correct times of the year. Winemakers lead and manage teams to produce wine in compliance to regional regulations. This involves coordinating tasks between the vineyard and winery. During these tasks, they supervise the workers to ensure that the wine is created correctly. If the vineyard is short-staffed, they conduct cellar activities and other necessary tasks. Additionally, winemakers perform analytical tests such as pH, titratable acidity and dissolved oxygen. Finally, winemakers also perform business and administrative duties such as scheduling production, keeping track of records and performing payroll. 2. Winemakers Have Degrees in Wine Making Although formal education might not be required, it is much easier to become a winemaker with a degree. It is possible to start from the bottom and work your way up, starting as a general labourer performing duties such as cleaning and bottling wine. However, it is common for employers to look for individuals with a post-secondary degree in viticulture, enology, chemistry or food science. Due to the popularity of wine making, there are many schools that offer degrees in winemaking. In these programs, students learn about winery operations, viticulture and sales. Courses for these programs generally include viticulture biology, wine chemistry and winery management. 3. Winemakers Direct Operations Winemaking involves a lot of steps from harvesting to bottling. In order for production to move smoothly, winemakers direct overall operations and assign duties to those in the field. For example, they may direct field labourers to harvest grapes or begin the bottling process. If they are successful, they produce high quality wine that exceeds the customer expectations. 4. Winemakers Keep Track of Records Winemakers maintain a meticulous record Winemaker Creating delicious beverages Photo by W Production/stock.adobe.com Photo by Shchipkova Elena/stock.adobe.com Photo by Thanakorn/stock.adobe.com 42
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