Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology

Our Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology teaches best-practice techniques for growing wine grapes and making wine. Learn on a campus where 70% of Australia's wine research happens. You'll be equipped with practical skills to develop winemaking and viticultural practices across an array of careers.

These include:

• viticultural management

• winemaking and winery management

• food and beverage technology

• Supply chain logistics and management.

This four-year degree will place you amongst winemakers and innovators who are cultural leaders driving Australia's economy. Get a head start by completing a practical placement based on work experience among Australia's best commercial vineyards and wineries. You'll learn grape and wine chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and genetics, and how these are applied in practical viticulture and winemaking under challenging conditions.

Collaborate with cutting-edge researchers to build important problem solving and critical thinking skills. Take advantage of our global reach and explore international wine regions on a study tour. You'll have the opportunity to collaborate and gain practical skills, ready to graduate and make a difference.

What you'll learn

Adelaide University's Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology will teach you essential techniques to succeed. Our practical approach will ensure that you build the skills and knowledge to be an innovator in the field.

Firstly, you'll hone your skills in basic biology and chemistry practices to gain a comprehensive understanding of their role in grape growing and winemaking. You'll also evaluate principles of physics and their applications in agricultural and biological sciences. Hands-on work will focus on foundations of wine science and dive into grapevine anatomy.

In second year, you'll explore advanced concepts in plant, animal and microbial metabolism, strengthening your knowledge in agricultural biochemistry. Courses also include grapevine life cycles, sensory evaluation, winemaking principles and practices and general plant life cycles.

Third year is designed to hone your wine production knowledge with viticulture and oenology-specific courses. These include hands-on wine grape management, practical winemaking from grape to glass, and learning the principles and practices of wine clarification and stabilisation - essential for future careers in producing top-level wines. You'll also discover how Australian and overseas sparkling wine is produced and gain insights into how grape spirits are distilled and used in fortification.

In your final year, you'll put your knowledge to practice in industry with a 10-week viticulture or oenology placement. This is a practical placement, based on work experience at a commercial vineyard or winery during vintage.

Assessments include a combination of oral presentations, written assignments, practical work and/or examination work.