Bachelor of Viticulture & Oenology graduate

Assistant Winemaker, Dry River

Aaron decided to study the degree at Lincoln because of its practical focus and strong academic/research history in horticulture and food science. “Being able to do a full vintage in the third year was the clincher. That was invaluable and certainly helped me in getting my current job.”

He found teaching staff and support services to be very good and always there to help.
“I also enjoyed the field trips, the Wine Club tastings and learning from tutors with industry experience and passion for their respective fields.” Aaron advises students to get involved in as much as they can: “The more you do the more you will get from your time at Lincoln.”

As for working in the industry he says that flexibility is important. “To work in this industry you must be extremely flexible, particularly if you work for smaller, more boutique wineries, you’ll find that at certain times of the year you will work very long hours.”

Aaron also wants to make students aware of the importance of viticulture, even if they know they want to do winemaking: “Fine wine is grown in the vineyard! (it’s a cliché but so very true).”

 "I love my job and even though some days I work crazy hours it doesn’t really seem like work – it is extremely varied and covers all aspects of winemaking (from processing grapes, lab work, barrels, filtrations, tasting, bottling, labelling and dispatch) and even some days in the vineyard."

[bvao alumni profile]