Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology
Winemaking Cadet, Villa Maria Wines
It was after visiting family in Italy that Gianni Flego of Auckland decided on a career in viticulture and winemaking.
“I’d been travelling the last few years and staying with family in Italy. My family there have been making their own wine for generations. Seeing their vineyards made me want to learn about viticulture and winemaking,” he says.
After returning to New Zealand, Gianni, 24, applied to study the Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology through Lincoln University. The qualification is a partnership between Lincoln University and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and is offered at NMIT’s Marlborough Campus, in the heart of the country’s largest wine region.
Gianni says he enjoys the practical nature of the work, working outdoors and the history and tradition associated with winemaking.
After finishing his course, Gianni was chosen as one of two cadets for winemaking at Villia Maria Wines in Auckland.
Gianni said studying viticulture in the Marlborough region offered many benefits.
“The local winemakers were so supportive. You could get in and really get hands on experience through the whole process. For anyone interested in the practical as well as the scientific side of winemaking, Marlborough has so much to offer” Gianni says.
Thanks to a partnership between Lincoln University and NMIT, students who have successfully completed the NMIT Diploma in Viticulture and Wine Production can now study for one further year plus a summer school to be awarded the Lincoln University Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology.
The broad base established by the NMIT Diploma is built upon and strengthened academically to third year degree level. The importance of aspects of production such as site selection, planting material, vine management, harvest parameters, grape handling, fermentation control, and wine finishing are backed by knowledge of vine physiology and fermentation chemistry. Knowledge of the influence of terroir and wine style on the finished product is also part of the programme.
There is an opportunity for students to work two vintages over the combined Diploma/Degree programme which is a huge advantage in gaining future employment.
Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology (Awarded by Lincoln University)
To complete the degree, the students must first complete the NMIT Diploma and then study a further year and summer school.
All applicants: Successful completion of the NMIT Diploma in Viticulture and Wine Production
Graduates may go onto roles such as cellar hand, winemaker, assistant winemaker, vineyard technical manager, viticulturalist, winery manager, wine sales and marketing, tutor/lecturer or nursery production manager.
Please contact NMIT or Lincoln University for details.
NMIT: Freephone 0800 422-733 or (03) 546 9175 or email info@nmit.ac.nz Lincoln: Freephone 0800 106-010 or (03) 325 3840 or email info@lincoln.ac.nz