Ever thought about becoming a winemaker? For a budding wine-lover, it can seem like a dream come true. One imagines days filled with leisurely strolls through the vineyard, long lunch breaks, not to mention the non-stop swirling, smelling, and tasting wine (of course) !

However—like many occupations that fall into the food, wine, and culture category—winemaking is a profession that is often presented as overly-glamourous in the media, leading to romanticised public perceptions of the trade. While (of course) winemakers must take the time to taste and consider the wine they produce—tasting is just the tip of the iceberg. What the consumer can’t see is the hours upon hours of planning, hard work, and dedication that goes into creating a wine that meets the mark in terms of desired quality and style. 

A day in the life of a winemaker is dynamic and subject to constant change. Depending on whether you’re preparing for harvest, in the thick of harvest, or focusing on post-harvest tasks, the makeup of your day will vary. 

During vintage (what winemakers call harvest), tasks are numerous, and it will feel like there aren’t enough hours in a day. At this time, so many important decisions will fall on the shoulders of the winemaker. 

 To successfully make it through vintage is a mammoth task that requires logistical expertise and months of planning. A million questions will course through the minds of a winemaker at this time. Are the grapes ripe enough to harvest? What are the consequences of delaying harvest? 

Which vessels will be used to process and store the pressed juice? Is all our equipment clean and working properly?

Winemakers also need to be science geeks as they will perform hundreds of lab tests on a developing wine to track important changes. For example, a wine’s pH level, malic and titratable acidity levels, heat and cold stability, alcohol content, density, and residual sugar levels are all super important. Tests like these are often repetitive but need to be performed several times throughout the winemaking process to ensure quality. The ability to think on one’s feet when unexpected test results arise is also crucial, as creative solutions are often required.

Want to learn more? If you’re a wine enthusiast and want to hear more about the world of winemaking, don’t miss the chance to attend Meet the Winemaker on Friday the 1st of July. Part of Scenic Rim’s Eat Local Week, this event gives you the chance to meet our winemaker and taste a range of fabulous wines, all while grazing on some scrumptious local produce. There are still some last-minute tickets available from the Witches Falls Winery website. Don’t miss out! 

If you can’t make Friday, be sure to come along to Eat Local Week’s main event—the Winter Harvest Festival. Witches Falls’ Wines will be available at the festival, alongside live music, cooking demos, a wealth of local produce, and a host of food & market stalls. What’s not to love?

Cheers, 
 Alexandra Douglas 
 and the Witches Falls Winery Team