There are various ways to become a wine merchant, including formal education in enology and viticulture, internships, or a combination of both. Internships are available for those with a passion for wine, and physical fitness is required. Owning or starting a winery is another option, but it requires significant financial investment.
There are different paths one can take to become a wine merchant, which is a person who makes or sells wine. Formal education in a winemaking field is one way to get into the wine trade and become a winemaker. Another way is to hire a winery as an intern or apprentice and learn the business from scratch. A combination of the two, graduating and doing an internship, can also open doors.
Many universities and colleges offer formal programs in enology and viticulture designed to produce future wine professionals. Oenology, sometimes spelled oenology, is the science of wine and winemaking. Viticulture encompasses growing wine grapes; it is sometimes called viniculture.
Course curriculum often overlaps depending on the school and program structure. Some programs focus more on the business aspects of the wine industry, while others specialize more in the technical details of winemaking. Other degree programs provide a solid foundation for both. Some schools also offer short one- or two-year programs in viticulture, winemaking, and the wine trade.
People who go the school route can often find internships in the wine industry through their schools. It is not always necessary, however, to study winemaking at a school in order to be accepted for an internship. Internships are also available for people who simply have a passion for wine but no formal training.
Generally, the greatest demand for trainees is when the grapes are harvested and crushed, from September to November in the northern hemisphere and from March to mid-June in the southern hemisphere. Online wine industry job boards, wine organizations and publications advertise internship openings. Wineries can also be contacted directly about “harvest intern” opportunities.
The wine intern can expect to begin or continue their wine education in a hands-on manner. Interns can do everything from driving a forklift, pressing and thawing grapes, monitoring fermentation and much more. You must be physically fit and able to lift at least 50 pounds (22.67 kg).
The characteristics needed for a person looking to become a winemaker are, above all, a love of the grape. Patience and persistence are also important. Also needed is a desire to work with your hands and not be afraid to get them dirty. Good technical and mechanical skills to repair sometimes obscure winery equipment is also a plus.
Another way to become a winemaker is to buy an existing winery or start a new one. The downside of this path is that it costs more money than the average person who wants to become a winemaker can afford. On the bright side, winery owners can hire winemakers and other experts to help them on the path to becoming true winemakers.
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