How to become a Wine Grape Grower

Also called: Vigneron, Vineyard Manager (Wine Grapes), Vineyard Operator (Wine Grapes), Viticulturist (Wine Grapes)

Plans, organises, controls, coordinates and performs farming operations to grow wine grapes.

Main tasks

• Plans and coordinates the production and marketing of wine grapes from planting seedlings or grafting new varieties onto root stock to harvest, considering environmental and market factors
• Plans and oversees wine grape growing operations and routines, such as fertilising, cultivating, debudding and pruning vines
• Monitors and maintains wine grape crop health by managing biosecurity and other risks, and controlling pests, weeds and diseases
• Directs and oversees the harvesting, grading and packaging of wine grapes
• Plans and coordinates the sale, purchase and dispatch of wine grapes
• Plans and oversees the provision and maintenance of wine grape vineyard infrastructure and equipment, such as buildings, fences, trellises, machinery and water supply systems
• Maintains and evaluates the records of wine grape vineyard activities, monitors market activity, and plans production accordingly
• Manages wine grape vineyard business capital, including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management
• May select, train and supervise wine grape vineyard staff and contractors

Ways in

• University: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 27 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Diploma of Viticulture (AHC51524); Diploma of Agriculture (AHC50122); Certificate III in Wine Industry Operations (FBP30921); Certificate IV in Agribusiness (AHC41024); Certificate IV in Agriculture (AHC40122); Certificate IV in Production Horticulture (AHC40324); Certificate II in Wine Industry Operations (FBP20521)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 33,200 people work in this job group now, and about 34,700 are projected by 2035. (+4.6%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Wine Grape Grower?

Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees; Diploma of Viticulture; Diploma of Agriculture.

Is a Wine Grape Grower a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 33,200 to about 34,700 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Wine Grape Grower?

Usually not. Only 23% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees; Diploma of Viticulture; Diploma of Agriculture.

Will AI change the work of a Wine Grape Grower?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04