Distance Learning Viticulture Course
ACS Graduate comment: "[The course] gave me extra knowledge of the industry that I am currently working in. It covered all aspects of the industry. I liked the way you had to work through each lesson/category I received excellent feedback from my tutor. I enjoyed the viticulture course, it has given me extra knowledge that I will use." James McKelvey, Vineyard Manager, Australia, Viticulture course.
- After enrolling, watch our "orientation video" and discover how to use all sorts of services to support your study.
- Lots of flexibility is where and how often you study; and even what your learning is focussed on
- Exams are optional and only needed if you want to use this study as a credit in a formal qualification -even then, we always give you the option to repeat exams
- Exceptional tutor support -Our horticulture faculty includes a dozen university trained professionals most with decades of industry experience. You have unlimited access to tutors over the phone or email.
“Want to enter the grape growing industry or start a vineyard? This would have to be one of the most comprehensive courses around. Be prepared to be challenged!” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor
Ten lessons covering the history of viticulture, the current state of the industry, wine and table grapes, dried grapes, cultural practices (trellising, soils, planting, pruning, irrigation, pests & diseases); vineyard design, improving quality, harvest & post harvest procedures, winemaking, marketing and much much more.
Course Aim:
To develop an ability to select and cultivate appropriate varieties of grapes in different situations, and provide the knowledge to make informed decisions about the management of a vineyard
Course Duration:
approximately 100 hours
Extract from Course Notes:
"In the 21st century wines produced from much newer viticultural countries are also making a big impact on world markets. Examples include the Napa Valley in the United States as well as southern hemisphere nations such as Argentina, Chile, New Zealand and Australia.
Suitable regions for good quality grape production are determined more by climatic similarities than geographic location. Regions that have mean annual temperatures between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius are the most conducive for quality wine production. World distribution of viticulture is bounded by the 50° line of latitude, both north and south of the equator. However, even within these general parameters, grape vines are not suited to places where leaves do not fall from the vines over winter (due to warmth) or where winters are severe and summers are short.
Assessing regional suitability to grape production is not absolute. Variations in local climate caused by topographical characteristics can greatly affect the feasibility of production
In the UK, the most successful grape growing regions are located in the south and west. However, other regions could produce good crops providing the viticulturist is equipped with suitable knowledge and a strong desire to grow good vines. Possibly, British production has historically been curtailed by the availability of good grapes and excellent wine from ‘The Continent.’ The small commercial viticulturist and informed home enthusiast may find success where others have failed. Inadequate sugar development and disease problems have been stumbling blocks in the past. Appropriate site selection and preparation and good varietal choices can overcome many of these problems.
Indoor vine production is also a viable option in the UK and other areas with similar climates. Well-conditioned and managed soils can alleviate many disease problems and the environmental control offered by glasshouses can extend the opportunity for sufficient ripening. Specific production techniques are required for indoor production, particularly in regards to vine pruning and support. Container-grown vines can give the grower the option of moving plants indoors or outdoors to take advantage of favourable conditions".
CONTENT
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you 
with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading. There are ten lessons as follows:
1. Introduction Describe the nature and scope of the Viticulture industry both locally and world wide.
Includes: global viticulture; major winegrowing areas around the world; the grape; genera and species; rootstocks; classification of grape varieties; table grapes; wine grapes; dried fruit; juice grapes; canned grapes.
2. Climate & Soils: Identify suitable climate and soil conditions for vineyard site establishment
Includes: temperature; temperature calculations; latitude-temperature index and degree days; sunlight; rainfall; soil; soil types and wine regions; understanding soils; texture; characteristics; soil structure; chemical characteristics of soils including pH and nutrient levels; understanding plant nutrition; soil water content; simple soil tests; naming the soil; problems with soil; erosion; salinity; structural decline; soil acidification; chemical residues.
3. Selecting Grape Varieties: Select and evaluate appropriate grape varieties for different situations.
Includes: grape types; selection considerations; what to plant; matching the variety with the site; varietal characteristics; selecting wine grapes; yeild; varieties; chenin blanc; chardonnay; semillion; muscat ottonel; muscadelle; gewurztraminer; cabernet sauvignon; carignan; vitis rotundifolia; wine grapes; raisin grapes; juice grapes, the importance of rootstocks; purchasing plants; phylloxera.
4. Vineyard Establishment: Develop a procedure to establish a vineyard.
Includes: establishing a new vineyard, vineyard planning; site planning; vineyard layout; site preparation; planting the vines, vine spacing; shelter belts; crop infrastructure; equipment.
5. Grapevine Culture Part A (Training & Pruning): Specify the techniques used in the culture of grape vines (Training & Pruning Grapevines).
Includes: pruning and training vines, shoot spacing; bud numbers; vine spacing; how much to prune; machine pruning; summer pruning; combination pruning; pruning sultana vines; trellising; construction; guyot system; geneva double curtain system; head training, cordoning; kniffen systems; umbrella kniffen system; pergola training system.
6. Grapevine Culture Part B (Weeds, Pests & Diseases): Specify the techniques used in the culture of grape vines (Weed, Pest & Disease Control).
Includes: weeds, pest and disease control, weeds in vineyeards; controlling weeds; safety proceedures when using agricultural chemicals; laws and guidelines; types of chemicals (14); weed management in vineyards; weed management before planting; weed management in new vineyards; weed management in established vineyards; integrated pest management; pest control in vineyards; grape berry moth; grape mealy bug; grape leaffolder; grapevine rust mite; grape blossom midge; flea beetles; birds; large animals; disease control in vineyards; fungal diseases; rots; mildew; eutypa dieback; bacterial diseases; viruses; organic culture of grapes; organic pest and disease control; companion plants; environmental problems including air, water, damage, frost, hail, wind and shade; water mangement; runoff; water saving; grape clones and varieties.
7. Grapevine Culture Part C (Irrigation & Feeding): Specify the techniques used in the culture of grape vines (Irrigation & Feeding).
Includes: irrigating and feeding grapes; excessive irrigation; seasonal effects of irrigation; drip irrigation; monitoring and timing; feasibility of irrigation; design considerations; soil and water; measuring water available to plants, calculating permanent wilting point, calculating field capacity of a vineyard; available moisture range; measuring air filled porosity; tensiometer; estimating water; rate of growth; climate; soil conditions; drainage in vineyards; improving subsoil and surface drainage; subsurface drainage; soil fertility; choice of fertilizer; timing of application; fertigation.
8. Improving Grape Quality: Explain different ways to ensure or improve grape quality.
Includes: plant stock, crop management; post harvest impact on quality; improving flower and fruit set; second set; girdling; berry thinning.
9. Harvesting & Selling : Specify procedure for harvest and post-harvest treatment and formulate market strategy for vineyard products.
Includes: harvesting; testing for ripeness; influence of weather; harvesting techniques; selling grapes; vineyard resume; selling grapes; contracts; selling online; marketing; developing a marketing plan; advertising; market research; legalities.
10 .Wine: Explain the basic principles of wine making.
Includes: basic production; overview of winemaking process; basic production principles; fermentation; making white wine, making red wine; methods.
This is an individual module. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study. Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
For individual courses - If you want to take one of these courses only, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it. If you successfully pass the exam, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course. If you do not wish to sit the examination, you will need to complete all assignments to receive the course completion letter. There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Click here for more information on exams.
COURSE AIMS
- Choose an appropriate site for a vineyard.
- Simple Soil tests
- Measuring ph
- Water content of soil.
- Choose appropriate grape varieties for different situations.
- Develop criteria to be considered when selecting which grape varieties to grow.
- Devise a procedure to establish a vineyard.
- Specify the techniques used in the culture of grape vines.
- Specify a procedure for harvest and post-harvest treatment of grapes.
- Formulate marketing strategies for vineyard products.
- Explain the basic principles of wine making.
Tutors and Course Developers
These include professional horticulturists from a number of countries; all with diploma or higher qualifications and many years of experience in industry.
How the payment Options Work
You can be either pay fees in one or two parts.
- If paying in 2 parts, the first part is paid on enrolment, and the second part two months later (You are sent a bill when you enrol).
If you pay the full fee on enrolment, we offer a discounted fee (commonly around 8% lower)
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
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For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
