About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 2 Year Diploma
  • Campus: Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • Code: 0738 P0738
  • Delivery Length: 2 Years
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Overview

Are you a wine enthusiast who dreams of taking your passion for reds and whites to the next level?

As a Winery and Viticulture Technician graduate, you are a key member of the winery management team with the expertise required to develop, plant and maintain a commercial vineyard; manage daily operations; and sell and market wine.

Highlights
  • The School of Wine, Beer and Spirits at Niagara College is renowned for its outstanding reputation with graduates, employers and industry partners.

  • Canada’s first and only commercial teaching winery with state-of-the-art facilities including an analysis lab and winemaking pilot systems.

  • Extensive applied learning in the form of a major project working with industry partners and opportunities to work at special functions held on and off campus.

  • Graduates can further their learning with NC’s Wine Business Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management or International Business Management programs.

Career Opportunities
  • Laboratory or viticulture technician
  • Vineyard manager
  • Winery or cellar technician
  • Winemaker
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Courses

Term one (2024 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
MATH1112 Mathematics for Winery and Viticulture 3
OEVT1120 General Viticulture 3
OEVT1121 Winemaking I 3
OEVT1122 Sensory Evaluation of Wines I 3
OEVT1125 Introduction to Vine Biology 3
OEVT1126 Introduction to Wine Chemistry 4
OEVT1128 Cellar Operations l 3
Term two (2025 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
COMM1101 Language and Communications 3
OEVT1221 Vineyard Pruning and Maintenance Practices 3
OEVT1321 Winemaking II 3
OEVT1324 Wine Chemistry and Lab Analysis 4
OEVT1421 Wines of the Old World 3
OEVT1422 Wine Marketing and Sales 3
Term three (2025 Spring)
Code Course Name Credits
OEVT1223 Cellar Operations II 3
OEVT1320 Integrated Pest Management 3
OEVT1325 Viticulture Biology 3
OEVT1410 Farm Equipment Operations 3
OEVT1420 Vineyard Management 3
OEVT1423 Winery Management 3
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Term four (2025 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
OEVT1170 The History of Ontario Wine 3
PRAC1157 Field Placement - Winery and Viticulture 9
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Term five (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
OEVT1224 Wines of the New World 3
OEVT1226 Wine Chemistry and Microbiology 4
OEVT1323 Winemaking III 3
OEVT1425 Organic and Biological Chemistry 4
OEVT1322 Sensory Evaluation of Wines II 3
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Program Outcomes Term: 1244
  1. apply the principles of plant and soil sciences to complete work in viticulture.

  2. apply practical viticulture skills to the production of high quality wine grapes

  3. implement maintenance procedures for vineyards and winery equipment

  4. identify and discuss the potential environmental effects of vineyard sustainability and the need to avoid environmental damage and promote healthier ecosystems.

  5. apply the principles and practical skills of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to vineyards

  6. demonstrate and discuss the winemaking procedures for reds, whites and icewine

  7. analyze and test musts and wines to ensure industry standards are met and high quality wine is produced

  8. identify various faults and characteristics of wines

  9. analyze and determine options for each step of the winemaking process

  10. demonstrate and discuss the harvest/crush procedures

  11. identify and discuss varietal wines/regional differences using sensory skills

  12. discuss business practices as they relate to vineyards, winery operations and sales.

  13. identify sales techniques and sales channels as they relate to the wine industry

  14. discuss safe working practices as it relates to viticulture and winery cellar operations

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Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
  • Mathematics – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
  • Biology – Grade 11 (C) or (U) or Grade 12 (U) or
  • Chemistry – Grade 11 (U) or Grade 12 (C) or (U)
Additional requirements for admission
  • Students are required to be a minimum of 18 years of age by the start of classes.
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Program Requirements
Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Computer/Technology Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows 10 based desktop or laptop system that meets or exceeds the following general personal computer technology requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop system running on an updated Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory.
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities (a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps) is recommended.

Niagara College will not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications. Any provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses (supported under the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system) will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: There is no support for Chromebooks or Apple products for this program. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Winery and Viticulture Technician program below.

  • From NC to
    Brock University Grape and Wine Technology - Certificate Canada
  • From NC to
    Brock University Honours Bachelor of Science in Oenology and Viticulture/Co-op Canada
  • From NC to
    Eastern Institute of Technology Bachelor of Viticulture and Wine Science New Zealand
Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

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The Niagara College Winery and Viticulture Technician program trained me in all aspects of the wine industry to help me become a leader in the wine industry both in Canada and the USA.

Jordan Harris, program graduate and General Manager & Winemaker, Tarara Winery, Virginia

I’ve done the university degree and it didn’t provide me with the experience I wanted. Lots of memorization, teaching of myself and heavily weighted exam regurgitation. I didn’t feel like I learned much or that I was very important as a student. At Niagara it is extremely hands on, I learn something in lecture one day and have to be able to understand and apply it for actual usage the very next. Classes are small and the teachers know you personally so the quality of learning and support is improved. I actually feel like I’m being prepared for what my future job entails.

Brittany, program graduate
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