VITICULTURE BHT220

Learn to grow grapes and work in the viticulture industry

Develop a sound foundation for working in the viticulture industry. There are still lots of opportunities for those with know-how to enter this industry. Whether you want to set up your own vineyard or work in an established one you need to understand the techniques used to produce healthy and bountiful harvests.

This course doesn't just expand you knowledge on growing techniques it also covers:

  • How to choose a site that is suitable for grape growing
  • How to design an efficient vineyard
  • How to choose the right grape varieties for the site and climate
  • How to market your grapes or vineyard
  • How to extend your bottom line by value adding

If you are passionate about grape growing this course will fire up that passion and lead you towrads a career in this field.

Ten lessons covering the history of viticulture, the current state of the industry, wine and table grapes, dried grapes, cultural practices (trellising, soils, planting, pruning, irrigation, pests & diseases); vineyard design, improving quality, harvest & post harvest procedures, wine making, marketing and more.

Learn Grape Growing

This course helps to develop an ability to select and cultivate appropriate varieties of grapes in different situations, and provide the knowledge to make informed decisions about the management of a vineyard.

 

COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENTS

There are ten lessons as follows:

1. Introduction

Describe the nature and scope of the Viticulture industry both locally and world wide.

2. Climate & Soils

Identify suitable climate and soil conditions for vineyard site establishment

3. Selecting Grape Varieties

Select and evaluate appropriate grape varieties for different situations.

4. Vineyard Establishment

Develop a procedure to establish a vineyard.

5. Grapevine Culture Part A (Training & Pruning)

Specify the techniques used in the culture of grape vines (Training & Pruning Grapevines).

6. Grapevine Culture Part B (Weeds, Pests & Diseases)

Specify the techniques used in the culture of grape vines (Weed, Pest & Disease Control).

7. Grapevine Culture Part C (Irrigation & Feeding)

Specify the techniques used in the culture of grape vines (Irrigation & Feeding).

8. Improving Grape Quality

Explain different ways to ensure or improve grape quality.

9. Harvesting & Selling

Specify procedure for harvest and post-harvest treatment and formulate market strategy for vineyard products.

10. Wine

Explain the basic principles of wine making.

 

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Duration: 100 hours


Aims

On successful completion of the course you should be able to do the following:
  • Choose an appropriate site for a vineyard.
  • Simple Soil tests
  • Measuring pH
  • Water content of soil.
  • Choose appropriate grape varieties for different situations.
  • Develop criteria to be considered when selecting which grape varieties to grow.
  • Devise a procedure to establish a vineyard.
  • Specify the techniques used in the culture of grape vines.
  • Specify a procedure for harvest and post-harvest treatment of grapes.
  • Formulate marketing strategies for vineyard products.
  • Explain the basic principles of wine making.

 

Grapes are Grown Widely and Extensively

"Some of the most recognizable regions in the world are those famous for their viticulture. France has districts with long histories of high quality grape production and wine making, for example, the Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Beaujolais districts. Winemakers in these areas have contributed greatly to the art and science of viticulture and the products that have emanated from France over the centuries have been applauded worldwide. Italians are equally proud of the contribution from wine-producing regions such as Tuscany. Germany's Rhine Valley and Moselle regions have an impressive heritage, as do districts in Spain and Portugal.

In the 21st century wines produced from much newer viticultural countries are also making a big impact on world markets. Examples include the Napa Valley in the United States as well as southern hemisphere nations such as Argentina, Chile, New Zealand and Australia. With a strong influence from European wine making emigrants, the unique Australian soil and climatic conditions have favoured high quality wine making in regions such as the Hunter, the Barossa and Yarra Valleys as well as the west's Margaret River and southern Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. Countries that have only been producing wine for a mere century or two have relied on the science of Oenology for improved production techniques in place of "traditional" methods and inherited family secrets.

Suitable regions for good quality grape production are determined more by climatic similarities than geographic location. Regions that have mean annual temperatures between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius are the most conducive for quality wine production. World distribution of viticulture is bounded by the 50° line of latitude, both north and south of the equator. However, even within these general parameters, grape vines are not suited to places where leaves do not fall from the vines over winter (due to warmth) or where winters are severe and summers are short.

Assessing regional suitability to grape production is not absolute. Variations in local climate caused by topographical characteristics can greatly affect the feasibility of production. For example, elevated areas in warm climate regions may yield the cooler temperatures required to produce good quality wine making grapes. Several parameters are commonly used for assessing growing conditions. Degree Days and Latitude-Temperature Index (LTI) are two such measures. A region with a higher latitude may have cooler mid-summer temperatures but may not be inhibited from good production when offset by a long growing season".

 

Why This Course?

At ACS our students are not just 'taught' they are mentored. Our tutors are there to guide you through your course, answer your questions and help you to be confident in setting up your own vineyard or to move into a career in this field. Not many other educational institutions give you these sorts of opportunities today.

 

 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE?

ENROL TODAY!

Just go to the top of this page for pricing and enrolment options. If you have any questions you can contact us now, by:
Phone (UK) 01384 44272, (International) +44 (0) 1384 442752, or

Email us at [email protected]