A winemaker is trained in all aspects of winemaking, from growing grapes to production, and may work in a winery or related company. Education requirements vary, but most have an undergraduate degree or enology degree. Winemakers must understand the chemical composition of grapes and have a passion for winemaking. They monitor grape growth and flavor characteristics to determine which grapes to use for specific wines. Winemakers may experiment with new techniques and conditions to produce different flavors.
A winemaker is a person trained in all aspects of the winemaking process, from growing the grape to harvesting and production. This study is a branch of viticulture, and a winemaker is likely to work in a winery or related wine company. The level of education winemakers must maintain can vary, but most have already attended college and earned an undergraduate degree. Some colleges and universities even offer enology degrees that teach a student all the skills needed to succeed in the field. Other winemakers may have advanced degrees in related fields, such as ecology or botany.
To succeed as a winemaker, a candidate must study chemistry, biology, and other sciences that will help him understand the chemical composition of specific grapes. It also helps to have a well-developed palate and a passion for wines and winemaking, as the winemaker will be actively involved in virtually every step of the winemaking process. The specific tasks of this professional can vary, and some winemakers will work primarily in one area of the winemaking process rather than the entire process from start to finish.
It is likely that a winemaker will be trained to understand soil composition and other planting issues so that he or she can make determinations about the best settings for vineyard plants. The winemaker will monitor the growth of the plants and make the necessary adjustments; this can take several years of observation and adjustment, as many grape plants do not produce usable fruit for the first few years after planting. After the plants begin to bear fruit, winemakers monitor the grapes’ flavor characteristics, such as sweetness, bitterness, tone, and texture. This will help winemakers determine which grapes to use to create a certain type of wine.
Depending on the size of the winemaking operation, a winemaker may have a specific job description that involves experimenting with new types of grapes, new planting techniques, different soils and chemicals, and other experiments that can produce wines of various flavors. A winemaker may task winemakers with finding ideal conditions to create a specific type of wine that the vineyard has not previously produced. Such an endeavor can require significant experimentation and monitoring, and winemakers will need to have a solid background in science and winemaking to understand what conditions will be optimal for the desired output from the plants.
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