News and Events
Wine Short Courses
The Faculty offers a range of related short courses in wine education.
For more information and application details for any of these courses please contact our Coordinator: Mr Lindsay Corby via email, or by phone on (61 3) 9479 2191.
Wine Production Short Courses
La Trobe University is pleased to present the following short courses in combination with its Undergraduate and Postgraduate program. The subjects Wine Essentials (AGR41WMM), Wine Technology (AGR41WPT), and Oenology (AGR42OEN), as outlined below, will be offered as discrete certificate courses. The subject content will be comprehensive, self contained and of immediate relevance in the wine industry.
These subjects will be attractive and of use to Wine Industry personnel who cannot, or do not wish to, spend the time required to achieve a formal qualification. These may be winery owners, managers, or cellar workers, or other Wine Industry personnel who wish to gain a wine production focus and whose commitments will allow the time for two weeks of intensive study.
Delivery
The courses will be delivered as two week units outside southern and northern hemisphere vintage periods. The first course, Wine Essentials, may be held at our Melbourne campus in late January, the second course, Wine Technology, will be held at Mildura in May, and the third course, Oenology, will be held at Bundoora in July.
Cost
The cost will be $1100 for each course. This will include subject delivery, course notes, and excursions during the course. It does not include the cost of transport to and from the course venue, meals, accommodation, or prescribed texts.
Entry
Potential students will be required to complete an application form, available from the La Trobe University campuses. Places offered will be limited by a quota initially of 20 students including Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Short Course participants. An offer of a place will lapse if not secured by a $100 non-refundable deposit within two weeks of the offer. The balance of payment must be received 30 days prior to the commencement of the course.
Accommodation
Arrangements will be made with preferred suppliers of accommodation, and details of some options will accompany the offer of a place in the course. Accommodation will remain the responsibility of the student.
Meals
There will be some group and winemaker meals scheduled, details will accompany the offer of a place. Otherwise meals will be the responsibility of the student.
Completion
After satisfactory attendance the student will be awarded a Certificate of Completion, describing the topics covered during the course. The prerequisites and full assessment requirements for the Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Viticulture and Wine Production will not apply, therefore the short courses will not be able to be articulated to gain credit for either of these formal qualifications. However, completion of these courses may be counted as a pre-requisite for entry to either of the formal courses, at the discretion of the course advisor.
THE COURSES
1. WINE ESSENTIALS
A 2 week (Monday to Friday) intensive course analysing the making and marketing of wine. Students will attend lectures (including presenters from the Wine Industry), visit wineries and vineyards and produce their own wine during laboratory sessions. This subject will cover a broad range of topics including, Wine Industry bodies (AWBC, AWRI, GWRDC, WFA), Occupational Health and Safety, Quality Assurance, Grape and Wine quality, Wine Production (white, red, sparkling, fortified), basic wine analysis, and Marketing issues. Micro-vinification will be undertaken to highlight impacts of various winemaking inputs. The course will suit the person who wishes to gain a greater appreciation of the Australian Wine Industry, and the technical knowledge and basic skills necessary to legally produce and sell sound wine.
Prerequisites:
Involvement in the Wine Industry, and a Science/Chemistry background will be highly regarded.
2. WINE TECHNOLOGY
A 2 week (Monday to Friday) intensive course analysing the technology involved in wine production, to be held at Mildura campus in May/June. This course will cover materials handling topics and logistical issues including Winery waste management, Materials handling (grapes, must, wine, cleaning products, waste), Heat systems and Loads, Wine storage (barrels, tanks, vats, sheds), Bottling procedures, and Packaging. Students will gain a greater appreciation of the calculations and considerations necessary to select equipment, and design an efficient and integrated winery. Some of Australia 's largest, and technically well-equipped wineries are in the Mildura region, and will be used as case studies during this course.
Prerequisites:
Serious involvement in the Wine Industry, and a Technical background will be highly regarded. Satisfactory attendance of WINE ESSENTIALS preferred.
3. OENOLOGY
A 2 week (Monday to Friday) intensive course, analysing the science of wine production, to be held at Bundoora campus in July. An in depth analysis of the areas of fermentation chemistry, oxidation, faults, additions, wine chemistry and analysis, leading to an understanding of why and how production activities impact on the finished product and how we impose controls to minimise risk and spoilage. Fining and blending of wines will be undertaken to show positive and negative effects on palate structure and flavour. Wines produced during WINE ESSENTIALS will be analysed. Eighteen (18) typical wine laboratory analytical procedures will be undertaken, with discussion on their importance with relation to wine quality.
Prerequisites:
Serious involvement in the Wine Industry, and a Science/Chemistry background with some laboratory exposure will be highly regarded.
Satisfactory completion of WINE ESSENTIALS, and WINE TECHNOLOGY preferred.
These subjects will appeal to people with some experience in wine production who wish to upgrade their knowledge of new technologies and applications, and wine fermentation, chemistry, and manipulations.
Continuing Education Short Courses
The following units and components of units may be taken as Short Courses. There will be no assessment on students undertaking study in this mode. Students will receive a Certificate of Completion at the successful completion of each program.
These courses cannot be accepted as advanced standing towards the GCWWA, GDWWA or MWWA programs. Successful completion will be taken into consideration if students choose to apply for entry into the formal programs, but the required credit points per course (GWWA 60, GDWWA 120, MWWA 240) will need to be achieved by completing core units from these courses, and other acceptable units from these courses or other Post Graduate programs.
Short Courses available
| First Offered | Cost per day | Total Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palate Training | February 5th 2007, 3.5 days duration, (see below) |
$800 | |
| Wine Appraisal | Part of VIN4WAA VIN4WAB |
$250 Up to 60 wines |
|
| Wine Appraisal | Part of VIN51WAC (2008) VIN52WAD (2008) |
$350 |
|
| Introductory Wine Chemistry | Semester 1 | $1500 | |
| Introduction to Winemaking | Semester 2 | $1000 | |
| Introduction to Viticulture | Semester 1 | $1000 | |
| Wine Knowledge | Semester 2 | $1500 | |
| Legal and Market Issues | Semester 1, 2008 | $1000 | |
| Wine History and Culture | Semester 2, 2008 | $1000 |
Miscellaneous Units
It is possible to take some of the subjects offered within the Master of Wine and Wine Appreciation as Miscellaneous Units. Interested applicants should contact Lindsay Corby to get current details of availability.