Undergraduate study

Working with wine: 12 career ideas to uncork

The wine industry is brimming with opportunities for those eager to turn their love of wine into a rewarding career. Whether you get a buzz exploring the science of winemaking, are intrigued by the art of marketing, or want to share your wine knowledge with others, there’s a wide variety (varietals?) of career paths you can consider. So here are 12 career ideas for working with wine that will allow you to drink deeply of a rewarding career.

1. Oenologist

A man wearing a white lab coat, engaged in research and investigation of the scientific processes involved in production, focusing on chemistry and biology.

As an oenologist, you’ll be the wine scientist who gets to explore the chemistry and biology behind wine production. Your job is to make sure every bottle is the best quality it can be. That involves analysing and adjusting the chemical composition of the product throughout the winemaking process. So to succeed, besides expert wine knowledge, you’ll need essential soft skills like a keen eye for detail, analytical thinking nous and rock-solid problem-solving abilities. You’ll typically work in wineries, research labs or wine labs, where your expertise will be crucial for crafting exceptional wines.

2. Viticulturist

This career working with wine is all about growing top-notch grapes. You’ll be across everything from soil health and pest control to plant nutrition. Working in vineyards, research centres or wine estates, you’ll manage every detail of grape cultivation – from vine to wine, if you like. Key skills? Strong observation, adaptability and hands-on management are top picks to tackle the day-to-day challenges and get those grapes just right.

3. Wine marketer

Craft strategies to make wine brands stand out and boost sales. In this role, you’ll create enticing campaigns that showcase what makes each wine unique, drawing in and, crucially, keeping customers. You could work for wine companies, marketing agencies or wineries. Wherever you work, it’s all about combining creativity with market analysis to elevate a wine’s presence in the public mind. Essential skills include creativity, communication and strategic thinking – to help you come up with messages that captivate and convert.

4. Wine educator

A man, positioned to the left, holds a glass of red wine and swirls it, examining its qualities, while a woman stands beside him, observing his actions. Four glasses of red wine are placed on a table, suggesting they are testing or evaluating the wine together.

Wine educators guide others through the world of wine: think tastings, pairing and wine’s rich history. You’ll lead tastings, run seminars and so help people appreciate every detail of wine. This role is perfect if you’re drawn to work in culinary schools, wine academies, wineries or hospitality venues. To get started, a degree helps, along with certifications from sommelier programs. You’ll also need to be confident in public speaking, passionate about teaching and have the patience to make sometimes complex info engaging and clear.

5. Sommelier

A person is pouring red wine into a glass at a restaurant, carefully filling it from a bottle. The setting appears elegant, with a focus on the wine being served.

As a sommelier, you’ll be the go-to expert for wine selection, pairing and service in restaurants, hotels and wine bars. You’ll need to know your wine regions, grape varieties and tasting techniques inside out to make sure your patrons enjoy the best dining and drinking experience. You’ll typically find yourself working in upscale spots like fine dining restaurants, luxury hotels or exclusive private clubs. A degree in wine, plus sommelier certification, will get you off the mark. You’ll also need to develop a superb palate, stellar customer service skills and the ability to communicate effectively.

6. Wine importer

Wine importers hunt down and bring wines from around the world to local consumers. It’s all about making sure your local market has a diverse selection for all palates. Moreover, you’ll need to know international wine markets and regulations inside out and, typically, you’ll work for import companies, wine distributors or logistics firms. Key skills include sharp negotiation, cross-cultural communication and also attention to detail – vital for forging strong ties with global producers and handling complex import rules.

7. Wine exporter

A young man, smiling at the camera, is pouring white wine from a barrel into a glass.

On the flip side, wine exporters are experts at getting wine out to global markets. They’re the ones who expand the reach of wineries worldwide. You’ll need a nuanced grasp of international trade, logistics and market trends for this role. After all, you’ll be managing shipments, decoding market demands and connecting with clients across the globe. Typically, wine exporters are employed by, natch, export companies, as well as wineries and trade organisations. To succeed, you’ll need to bring strong organisational skills, market research abilities and a knack for building relationships to the table.

8. Wine writer

Fancy shaping opinion and spreading the word? As a wine writer you’ll review and write for print publications, blogs and other digital media. Moreover, your expertise and opinions will be required reading for other enthusiasts. With a keen palate and often traveling to wine regions, you’ll sample and review a range of wines, and then combine sensory evaluation and storytelling to share the experience.

9. Wine tourism manager

Become the person who makes vineyard tours, tastings and events unforgettable. You’ll design and deliver engaging programs that educate and entertain, boosting the allure of wine destinations and introducing consumers to wine they might not know. Whether you’re at a winery, a wine estate or a tourism company, this role requires organisational skills that are on the nose, as well as creativity and a knack for managing customer relationships.

10. Wine sales representative

A group of three young people are cheerfully toasting with glasses of wine. Each person holds a different type of wine—one with white wine, another with rosé, and the third with red wine—celebrating together.

Be the go-to for connecting wine producers with retailers and restaurants. Your job will be to build strong client relationships, understanding their needs and promoting the perfect wines for them. You’ll likely work for distributors, wineries or wholesalers, and if you nail your persuasion, networking and negotiation skills, you can seal the deal.

11. Wine chemist

As a wine chemist, wine analysis and quality control are right up your street. Your mission: make sure every bottle hits the mark for taste, aroma and safety. You’ll run lab tests, research new techniques and tackle any issues that pop up. Typically, you’ll work in wine labs, wineries or quality control agencies. Sharp analytical skills, precision and problem-solving are crucial to help you nail those analyses and keep wine quality top-notch.

12. Wine production manager

Oversee every step of the wine-making process, from crushing grapes to bottling the finished product. You’ll also ensure everything runs smoothly and efficiently, coordinating with different teams to make sure quality is first-rate and production targets are met. This role typically takes place in wineries, production facilities or on wine estates. Key soft skills include leadership, time management and also quick decision-making to keep everything on track.

Start working with wine

A woman is walking beside a young man through a vineyard, appearing to teach him about wine. The lush vineyard stretches in the background, creating a peaceful, educational atmosphere.

Whichever path you want to take for a career working with wine, the best place to start is a degree from Charles Sturt. Whether it’s the Bachelor of Viticulture, Bachelor of Wine Business or Bachelor of Wine Science, you’ll learn from industry insiders, and you’ll get hands-on at our commercial campus winery. So, start uncorking your perfect career at Charles Sturt!