Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2010

Coursework programs

Master of Wine and Wine Appreciation – Melbourne (Bundoora) (SMWWA)

This course is not available for commencing students in 2010

This course is designed for graduates from any discipline who wish to gain a tertiary qualification in advanced wine knowledge and appreciation. Typically, applicants will be professionals in wine marketing, hospitality and tourism, wine business management, wine retail or independent wine consultancy, wishing to complement existing experience and qualifications. People who have regular involvement in wine consumption and presentation will benefit from the knowledge gained from this course.

Admission requirements

Potential students will possess an undergraduate degree and have a demonstrated interest in the wine and/or food industries or have successfully completed the graduate diploma program.

Industry experience

Students are required to complete two four-week periods of work experience on an approved wine industry site. Students may undertake vineyard work, gaining exposure to pruning, canopy management, irrigation, pest and disease monitoring, harvest and machinery operation. They may also undertake winery work, including vintage operations, barrel and tank management, wine testing, additions and fining, blending, and bottling and packaging operations. The second period of work experience will be undertaken to complement the experience gained in the first period, such that one period should comprise vineyard experience and the other, winery experience.

Course structure

This course will be offered on a part-time basis over three years (six semesters), or full-time over two years (four semesters) with set class times offered outside normal work hours to allow people to study while retaining full-time employment.

Students complete subjects totalling 240 credit points.

Core subjects (180 credit points):
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit points
TE-SEM-1 Palate Training A VIN4PTA 5
TE-SEM-1 Introductory Wine Chemistry VIN4IWC 15
TE-SEM-1 Wine Appraisal A VIN4WAA 15
TE-SEM-1 Wine Communication VIN4COM 15
TE-SEM-2 Palate Training B VIN4PTB 10
TE-SEM-2 Wine Appraisal B VIN4WAB 15
TE-SEM-2 Wine Knowledge VIN4WKN 15
TE-SEM-1 Wine Project A VIN5PRA 30
TE-SEM-1 Wine Appraisal C VIN5WAC 15
TE-SEM-2 Wine Project B VIN5PRB 30
TE-SEM-2 Wine Appraisal D VIN5WAD 15
Non-core subjects (60 credit points):
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit points
TE-SEM-1 Introduction to Viticulture VIN4VIT 15
TE-SEM-1 Legal and Market Issues VIN5WLX 15
TE-SEM-2 Introduction to Winemaking VIN4WMK 15
TE-SEM-2 Wine History and Culture VIN5WHC 15

Non-core subjects may be replaced with approved subjects from the Bachelor of Viticultural Science and Wine Production program, including AGR3WPT, AGR3VTS, AGR4WMM, AGR4WPT, AGR4OEN. Entry to these subjects will require a chemistry background or the completion of VIN4IWC.