Breaking into the wine industry can feel daunting, especially if you don’t know where to start. Whether you’re a student, a career-changer or simply curious, there are clear entry points and support networks available. With the right guidance, training and exposure, a career in wine can be more accessible than you might think.
Climate change, innovation and evolving consumer expectations are reshaping the wine industry. This shift is creating new roles focused on sustainability, research, technology and environmental responsibility. For those interested in science-led or future-facing careers, wine offers opportunities to make a tangible impact while working in a dynamic global sector.
You don’t need to start your career in wine to end up working in it. In fact, many people bring experience from fields such as marketing, science, logistics, finance or education. These transferable skills are highly valued and often in short supply. Wine is a global industry, and it needs a wide range of expertise to thrive.
Hospitality roles can be rewarding, but they’re not for everyone. The good news is that many wine careers sit outside traditional service hours. Office-based, technical and strategic roles exist across the supply chain, offering more predictable working patterns while still keeping you close to the product, the people and the passion behind wine.
Every bottle of wine represents the work of many people, not just the person whose name appears on the label. Behind the scenes are growers, lab technicians, buyers, designers, importers and educators, all contributing to the final experience. Understanding how these roles connect helps demystify the industry and reveals opportunities that often go unnoticed.
When people think about careers in wine, the image that often comes to mind is a sommelier on a restaurant floor. While that role is an important and visible part of the industry, it’s just one of dozens of pathways. From viticulture and winemaking to logistics, marketing, events and sustainability, the wine world offers a wide range of careers for different skills, interests and personalities.
Find out more about National Wine Careers Week and how it supports careers across the wine industry.