Careers & credentials · for students
CLIMB THE
ladder
4 career journeys drawn step by step — from the first shift to the top job. See how long each rung takes, what you do there, and what to study to reach the next one.
How to read this. Each card is one rung. Climb from left to right. Times are typical, not promises; people jump rungs, change sectors and take detours. Tap a job title or credential for the full description.
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1
1–3 vintages
Cellar Hand
Clean tanks and barrels, pump over, rack, help on the bottling line, work crush long hours.
Gain Hygiene, physical stamina, how a winery flows. A degree in oenology or viticulture helps you move faster.
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2
2–4 years
Assistant Winemaker
Run lab checks, manage ferments, track barrels, keep records, cover for the winemaker.
Gain Wine chemistry, fermentation control, tasting for faults. WSET Level 2 and 3 for tasting vocabulary.
Job description →Credential →
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3
4–8 years
Winemaker
Make harvest and blending decisions, run the cellar team, own quality and the budget.
Gain Blending judgement, team leadership, working with growers. Often a vintage abroad.
Job description →
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4
5+ years in the role
Head Winemaker / Head Oenologist
Set the house style across all labels; lead technical and winemaking teams; advise on vineyards.
Gain Portfolio leadership, a reputation, sometimes Diploma or Master of Wine.
Job description →Credential →
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1
1–2 years
Vineyard Worker
Prune, tie vines, thin canopy and harvest by hand through every season.
Gain Seasonal rhythm, tools, physical resilience.
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2
2–4 years
Vineyard Technician
Monitor vine health, irrigation and spraying, take ripeness samples, drive equipment.
Gain Pest and disease knowledge, record-keeping. A viticulture certificate or diploma.
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3
4–8 years
Vineyard Manager / Viticulturist
Plan the farming year, run crews, choose clones and rootstocks, work with the winemaker.
Gain Soil science, sustainable practice, budgeting.
Job description →
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4
5+ years in the role
Director of Viticulture
Oversee all estates and growers, set farming philosophy, invest in new plantings.
Gain Multi-site leadership, climate adaptation, long-term planning.
Job description →
Or branch out to
Consultant ViticulturistEstate Owner
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1
1–2 years
Distillery Operative
Mill grain, run fermenters, clean, fill casks and learn every part of the plant.
Gain Safety, process basics, stamina. The IBD Distilling general certificate is a common start.
Credential →
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2
2–4 years
Still Operator
Run stills and cuts, take samples, log temperatures and yields.
Gain Distillation theory, cut judgement, quality records.
Job description →Credential →
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3
3–6 years
Assistant / Head Distiller
Lead the production team, schedule runs, develop new recipes and trial batches.
Gain Recipe design, cask policy, WSET Spirits Level 2 or 3.
Job description →Credential →
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4
5+ years in the role
Master Distiller / Master Blender
Guard the house style, select casks, create blends and new expressions, represent the brand.
Gain Nose and palate mastery, innovation, public presence.
Job description →Credential →
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1
1–2 years
Lab Assistant
Prepare samples, run basic tests, keep the lab clean and records accurate.
Gain Lab technique, accuracy. A chemistry or food-science degree helps.
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2
2–4 years
Quality / Lab Analyst
Run chemical and sensory analysis, spot faults and keep batches on spec.
Gain Analytical methods, sensory panels, data analysis.
Job description →Credential →
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3
3–6 years
Quality Manager
Own quality systems, audits, supplier checks and recalls.
Gain Quality systems, leadership, regulation.
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4
Career-long
Technical Director
Lead production and quality technically across sites; advise on new products and plants.
Gain Strategy, engineering, innovation.
Job description →
Good to know
- Time in each step. Estimates for full-time work; part-time study and moving between countries change them.
- Qualifications are signals. A certificate rarely replaces experience, but it can shorten how long a rung takes.
- Pay and titles differ. The same job can be called something else in another country or company.
- Legal drinking age and licences apply. Check local rules, which in India vary by state.
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