Interested in Finding a Career in the Wine Industry?
Food and wine have been paired together for as long as vineyards have existed. Most culinary professionals have some experience with wine—whether it’s finding the right dishes to accompany it, cooking with it, or working in a restaurant where it is served—and that training starts early on.
In fact, many culinary schools offer a wine course as part of their curriculum, and you can also take additional courses to enhance your own education long after the ink has dried on your culinary school diploma. If you’re interested in working with food and wine, several different career options are available to you.
The most common wine-affiliated culinary job is that of chef or sous chef in a winery setting. Today, many wineries have their own restaurants and food and wine pairings, encouraging people to eat, drink, and buy more.
The cooks working in this capacity will be strongly focused on the wines (since the ultimate goal is usually to advertise the winery), especially when it comes to pairing the right dishes and creating a luxury experience.
Hospitality management jobs are also a great opportunity within the wine industry, especially those that involve running a small inn, bed and breakfast, or even a larger hotel chain that hosts special events.
Although you’ll probably have less to do with the actual cooking, you will still be responsible for incorporating wine into your menu and facility and in helping people make decisions related to their favorite beverage.
Additional opportunities in the wine industry for those with a culinary background include working as waitstaff, in a wine cellar, or in a tasting room. Some chefs even go on to open their own vineyards and become winemakers.
Suppose you’re interested in pursuing a culinary/wine career. In that case, you should determine exactly how much time you intend to spend with food versus how much time you want to spend with wine and hospitality management.
Different degree options (and schools) exist for each kind of focus. Although you can always develop your education and career as you go, it’s a good idea to have a solid foundation with a two—or four-year degree in your chosen field.
