Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology
Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology
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Upcoming start dates
Semester 1 - 16 Feb 2026
Semester 2 - 13 Jul 2026
November Summer School - 09 Nov 2026
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Qualification
Bachelors
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Duration
3 years full-time
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Credits
360
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Location
Lincoln University Campus
Every great wine is a product of high quality science and sound process management. Lincoln University’s Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology prepares you to cultivate a future in the wine sector in New Zealand or overseas.
Great wines are made long before they reach the glass — in the soil, the vines, the people, and the science that connects them. At Lincoln, you’ll learn how vineyards and wineries work from the ground up, studying the science that shapes grape and wine production. You’ll experience each stage for yourself as you develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to grow a future in New Zealand’s most iconic land-based industry.
How you’ll grow
- By developing a strong understanding of the sciences, including biology, chemistry, plants and soils.
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Develop a strong foundation in science and understand how they define grape and wine production
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Explore the entire wine supply chain, from vine growth and vineyard ecosystems to winemaking processes, quality assessment, and global markets
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Learn the essentials of horticultural systems with a strong focus on viticulture, applying concepts directly in Lincoln’s own on-campus vineyards
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Understand wine science, sensory evaluation, and quality management through practical laboratory sessions and a range of guided tastings
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Produce your own wine
Career opportunities
You'll be ready for a range of careers in the wine industry, including viticulturist, vineyard manager, foreman, winemaker, sales specialist and cellar manager.
Practical work requirements
During your study, you’re expected to complete:
- A total of 18 weeks of hands-on practical experience
- Covering six consecutive weeks in a commercial vineyard
- Covering six consecutive weeks in a commercial winery
- Covering six consecutive weeks in an allied industry (wine bar or shop, winery laboratory, commercial vineyard or brewery)
- Alternatively, you can complete up to 12 weeks in your vineyard or winery practical work placement.
For more information on the practical aspects of study, or request a copy of the Practical Work Handbook, contact the Practical Work Co-ordinator at practicalwork@lincoln.ac.nz or phone +64 3 423 0061.
I wanted to study at a university with credible links to the land. The kind of thing that isn’t offered at other universities, from people with a strong connection to land and growing.
Len Ibbotson
Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology
Programme information
University Entrance through NCEA or an approved, equivalent qualification.
If you have an overseas qualification, you can find out more about entry requirements here.
*If English isn’t your first language, other entry requirements will apply. Learn more about English language requirements.
Recommended preparation
- Agriculture / Horticulture
- Biology (highly recommended)
- Chemistry (highly recommended)
- Computing
- English (highly recommended)
- Māori Studies
- Maths / Statistics
Summary of Regulations
All of the following:
- Pass at least 360 credits (24 courses)
- All compulsory courses
- No more than 165 credits (11 courses ) at the 100 level
- At least 75 credits (5 courses) at the 300 level
- Complete all practical work components
- Attendance at multi-day field tour, taken in the final year of study.
What's it going to cost?
Learn more by using the Domestic Fees Calculator or viewing the International Fees.
You can start studying in either:
- Semester 1 (late February)
- Semester 2 (mid-July)*
There are also options for starting in summer semesters. But the range of courses available would be limited.
*Please obtain course advice if you’re considering this option.
There may be an opportunity to add an additional major to your study programme. Please refer to the programme course advisor for further information.
Graduate Attributes refer to the knowledge, skills, and values that you gain from completing your qualification. These high-level qualities will prepare you for career success, further study or research and making a valuable contribution to society in your chosen field.
Knowledge
- Describe growing and production of wine from cool climate wine varieties.
- Recognise a range of cool climate wine styles and their sensory attributes.
- Describe the professional practices and organisation of the New Zealand wine industry.
- Describe the roles of other viticulturists, winemakers and industry representatives.
- Describe and explain the philosophical, scientific and ethical principles underlying scientific research.
Skills
- Confidently perform required routine tasks in a vineyard, winery or laboratory setting.
- Co-operate with colleagues and show competence in teamwork.
- Apply knowledge and skills of microbiology, plant physiology, engineering, plant protection, marketing and chemistry to solve problems in viticulture and oenology.
- Evaluate his or her own professional functioning and act to remedy limitations of knowledge, skills and attitudes.
- Extrapolate from scientific knowledge and principles to solve new problems.
- Facilitate the learning experience of individuals, groups and communities, both within and beyond the viticulture and oenology sector.
- Locate, evaluate and use information in a range of contexts and integrate critical thinking into his or her understanding of issues.
- Effectively and efficiently organise and manage time and resources.
- Solve problems and design experiments.
- Perform a range of practical skills associated with producing a vintage, including propagation and management of vines, and processing and fermentation of grapes.
- Maintain proper boundaries between personal and professional roles.
- Recognise his or her limitations of knowledge about viticulture and oenology and a willingness to seek help when these limitations are met.
Values
- Commit to the fundamental importance of the interdependence between research and scientific knowledge.
- Develop a sense of social responsibility and an understanding of the contribution of viticulture and oenology to the welfare of humanity.
- Develop a sense of social responsibility and an understanding of the roles and functions of viticulture and oenology in the social and political environment.
- Appreciate the global perspective of viticulture and oenology, an informed sense of the impact of the international community on New Zealand and New Zealand's contribution to the international community.
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Entry requirements
University Entrance through NCEA or an approved, equivalent qualification.
If you have an overseas qualification, you can find out more about entry requirements here.
*If English isn’t your first language, other entry requirements will apply. Learn more about English language requirements.
Recommended preparation
- Agriculture / Horticulture
- Biology (highly recommended)
- Chemistry (highly recommended)
- Computing
- English (highly recommended)
- Māori Studies
- Maths / Statistics
-
Regulations and fees
Summary of Regulations
All of the following:
- Pass at least 360 credits (24 courses)
- All compulsory courses
- No more than 165 credits (11 courses ) at the 100 level
- At least 75 credits (5 courses) at the 300 level
- Complete all practical work components
- Attendance at multi-day field tour, taken in the final year of study.
What's it going to cost?
Learn more by using the Domestic Fees Calculator or viewing the International Fees.
-
Intake semesters
You can start studying in either:
- Semester 1 (late February)
- Semester 2 (mid-July)*
There are also options for starting in summer semesters. But the range of courses available would be limited.
*Please obtain course advice if you’re considering this option.
-
Additional major
There may be an opportunity to add an additional major to your study programme. Please refer to the programme course advisor for further information.
-
Graduate Attributes
Graduate Attributes refer to the knowledge, skills, and values that you gain from completing your qualification. These high-level qualities will prepare you for career success, further study or research and making a valuable contribution to society in your chosen field.
Knowledge
- Describe growing and production of wine from cool climate wine varieties.
- Recognise a range of cool climate wine styles and their sensory attributes.
- Describe the professional practices and organisation of the New Zealand wine industry.
- Describe the roles of other viticulturists, winemakers and industry representatives.
- Describe and explain the philosophical, scientific and ethical principles underlying scientific research.
Skills
- Confidently perform required routine tasks in a vineyard, winery or laboratory setting.
- Co-operate with colleagues and show competence in teamwork.
- Apply knowledge and skills of microbiology, plant physiology, engineering, plant protection, marketing and chemistry to solve problems in viticulture and oenology.
- Evaluate his or her own professional functioning and act to remedy limitations of knowledge, skills and attitudes.
- Extrapolate from scientific knowledge and principles to solve new problems.
- Facilitate the learning experience of individuals, groups and communities, both within and beyond the viticulture and oenology sector.
- Locate, evaluate and use information in a range of contexts and integrate critical thinking into his or her understanding of issues.
- Effectively and efficiently organise and manage time and resources.
- Solve problems and design experiments.
- Perform a range of practical skills associated with producing a vintage, including propagation and management of vines, and processing and fermentation of grapes.
- Maintain proper boundaries between personal and professional roles.
- Recognise his or her limitations of knowledge about viticulture and oenology and a willingness to seek help when these limitations are met.
Values
- Commit to the fundamental importance of the interdependence between research and scientific knowledge.
- Develop a sense of social responsibility and an understanding of the contribution of viticulture and oenology to the welfare of humanity.
- Develop a sense of social responsibility and an understanding of the roles and functions of viticulture and oenology in the social and political environment.
- Appreciate the global perspective of viticulture and oenology, an informed sense of the impact of the international community on New Zealand and New Zealand's contribution to the international community.
Programme Structure
Year 1
Semester 1 courses
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Semester 1 courses
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{{ 'BIOS 110' | except-last-word }} {{ 'BIOS 110' | last-word }}
Biological Sciences
15 credits
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{{ 'PHSC 101' | except-last-word }} {{ 'PHSC 101' | last-word }}
Chemistry IA
15 credits
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B V&O Suggested Electives*
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Elective
Semester 2 courses
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Semester 2 courses
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{{ 'WINE 101' | except-last-word }} {{ 'WINE 101' | last-word }}
Introduction to the Winegrowing Industry
15 credits
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{{ 'SOSC 106' | except-last-word }} {{ 'SOSC 106' | last-word }}
Soil Science I
15 credits
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{{ 'PLSC 104' | except-last-word }} {{ 'PLSC 104' | last-word }}
Plant Science I
15 credits
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B V&O Suggested Electives*
Year 2
Semester 1 courses
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Semester 1 courses
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{{ 'WINE 201' | except-last-word }} {{ 'WINE 201' | last-word }}
Viticulture I
15 credits
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{{ 'MGMT 214' | except-last-word }} {{ 'MGMT 214' | last-word }}
Horticultural Systems
15 credits
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{{ 'WINE 202' | except-last-word }} {{ 'WINE 202' | last-word }}
Principles of Wine Science
15 credits
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Elective
Semester 2 courses
Year 3
Semester 1 courses
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Semester 1 courses
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List A*
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Elective
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Elective
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Elective
Semester 2 courses
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Semester 2 courses
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{{ 'WINE 301' | except-last-word }} {{ 'WINE 301' | last-word }}
Viticulture II
15 credits
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List A*
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Elective
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Elective
- Compulsory courses
- Elective courses
- Refer to the lists below
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*B V&O Suggested Electives
The following courses are suggested for first years:
Semester 1
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*List A
Choose a minimum of two of the following courses:
Semester 1
Please note | If you will be completing a Practical Work component during a mid-term break in Semester 1 of your third year, some courses have irregular key dates. Please check the Irregular key dates for specific courses.
This degree structure is indicative only. A course advisor will help you to select your electives and plan your degree. You can check out our courses to see what electives might interest you.
Programme contacts
Key information for students
Compare qualification and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Need more info?
Email us on grow@lincoln.ac.nz
Or call us on 0800 10 60 10
If you're overseas, please call +64 3 423 0000
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