Whether you are in Oregon or any one of the now 50 wine producing states, there are opportunities for all people. The first step is gaining experience and the knowledge needed to manage the vines, harvest the fruit, turn it into wine and sell it to the world. Whether it is a short term position as harvest help or as a server in a winery tasting room, there are many ways to experience the wine industry and determine if it is right for you. And, there are often both urban winery and country opportunities to consider. 

For tasting server positions you can simply apply to the wineries near you as there are needs for staffing gall year long. However, a majority of hiring takes place in Spring and early Summer as wineries get ready for the busy season. Experience in retail, restaurant or other hospitality jobs are key to the success in these roles. 

Wineries typically start looking for harvest help in early summer. These positions are offered as temporally full time work and/or as internships. Either way, the experience is valuable to helping determine what path to take in wine. 

Today there area also many educational opportunities starting with community colleges on through Master's programs. There are several prominent winemakers in Oregon and around the world who began at a community college and then grew with on the job training.

Keep an eye on winejobs.com for a variety of opportunities in wine. 

Educational Resources In Oregon

Oregon State University

Our Viticulture and Enology option is designed to support your learning about sustainable wine grape production practices that consider vine and vineyard health while also emphasizing the profitability of the vineyard and winery business. This learning, along with a strong basic horticultural sciences background, will be critical to your growth as a professional in vineyard production science and to your ability to contribute effectively to the wine grape industry upon graduation. 





Learn More

Chemeketa Community College

We operate the Northwest Wine Studies Center at Chemeketa Eola which includes a vineyard planted with cool climate grapes and a commercial-sized wintery. Oregon LIVE a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable practices is housed there as well.

Our program resources and expert faculty offer you a unique opportunity for hands on experience and technical mastery to prepare you for a career in the wine industry

Learn More

Umpqua Community College

The Southern Oregon Wine Institute (SOWI) was established in 2008 at UCC as the first viticulture and enology program in Oregon outside the Willamette Valley.

SOWI offers degree, certificate and continuing education programs that merge conventional classroom training with experiential learning, providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to either support existing growers and winemakers or establish ventures of their own.