Curtin University opened the Centre for Wine Excellence at Margaret River in April 2004. The Centre provides excellence in training and research for the Australian Wine Industry. Curtin is presently the leading provider of professional development for viticulturists and winemakers in Western Australia.
Margaret River, one of the world’s emerging premium wine regions, offers a modern, innovative and dynamic wine industry environment for the Centre of Excellence. Since vineyards were first planted in the region only 35 years ago, Margaret River’s grape growers and winemakers have created some of Australia’s leading wine companies and labels. They are characterised by their flair, embrace of new vineyard and winery technology, and pursuit of quality.
The Centre of Wine Excellence comprises a teaching winery, chemistry, sensory evaluation, and research laboratories. It also includes a resource centre, computer laboratories, and classrooms.
The Margaret River Centre for Wine Excellence is a significant resource for the industry, offering formal University education, short courses and other less formal training services, extension and advisory services, a resource and information service, pure and applied Oenological research, commercial trial work and consultancy. It's open to members of the industry – a place that invites the industry and is substantial contributor to it.
For students Margaret River is an ideal place to study and grow. Surrounded by the superb natural environment it boasts natural bushland, spectacular underground caves, fresh streams, and gorgeous beaches. The region is one of Western Australia’s fastest growing, with outstanding business, health, sport and cultural services. The Margaret River region is a leading tourist destination and agribusiness centre. Employment opportunities for young people are excellent.
The Curtin university programme in Viticulture and Oenology offers graduates an outstanding opportunity to enter a dynamic aspirational industry. Graduates can expect to develop careers as winemakers, viticulturists, vineyard managers, and winery managers. Employment opportunities are to be found not only in Western Australia, but New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Already many graduates have also travelled worked in New Zealand, United States of America, France, Italy, and Germany.
The diploma provides an understanding of practical wine production, beer production, distillation, sensory evaluation of wines, the principles and practices of viticulture and explores the relationship between grape and wine quality and wine marketing.
A highlight of the diploma is an intensive, 15-week wine production unit at the Margaret River small-scale winery.
Entry requirements
Applicants generally require a bachelor degree or graduate certificate. Applicants employed for a minimum of three years within the wine industry in a management function may apply on the basis of prior learning.
Programme details
Start date: February
Duration: 1 year
Tuition Fees (2017): AU$35,500 per year
Curtin University
Contact Study Options for free advice and application assistance
0117 911 5610
020 7353 7200