Viticulture and Enology

Grappoli d'uva
In-person programme
Viticulture and Enology
Course sheet
A.Y. 2026/2027
Bachelor
L-25 R - Scienze e tecnologie agrarie e forestali
Bachelor
180
ECTS
Access
Open with admission self-assessment test
3
Years
Course location
Milan
Language
Italian
The Degree Course in Viticulture and Enology has the main objective of training oenological technicians with adequate skills to establish and manage wineries, enhancing both the agricultural product and the wine derived from it. This objective is pursued by providing, first, adequate basic scientific and cultural knowledge, based on mathematical, physical, chemical and biological sciences and, subsequently, professionalizing skills in the wine sector, aimed at developing operational skills of an agro-technological and managerial nature as well as framing the production activity from a historical, geographical, economic and environmental point of view.
Graduates in Viticulture and Enology will, therefore, have an interdisciplinary education on the biological and technological principles related to the cultivation of vines and the production of wine and will be familiar with the political, economic, market and environmental context of the wine sector. The Degree Course in Viticulture and Enology provides interdisciplinary training on the biological and technological principles related to the cultivation of vines and the production of wine, providing professional competence to technicians destined to work in the viticulture, oenology and management sectors of wineries. The curriculum is based on a solid scientific and cultural education (with foundations in the biological, chemical and physical sciences) and on professionalizing courses, aimed at providing operational skills of an agro-technological and managerial nature.
The courses are aimed at deepening the scientific principles underlying the cultivation of vines and wine production, based on the biological, physical and chemical foundations necessary for their understanding. In this perspective, a particular style of winemaking, viticulture or a specific method of vineyard and cellar management is not emphasized, but it is preferred to opt for the achievement of a unifying methodological and scientific competence that can then favor the maturation of an independent vision and vocation.
Each student is however stimulated, through the complementary teaching offer, to deepen the most congenial applicative aspect, in the field of viticulture, rather than wine production, with particular reference to modern agronomic and vineyard protection problems related to climate change and environmental sustainability. These are flanked by aspects of the production chain of other alcoholic beverages of fermentative origin.
The technical skills of Viticulture and Enology graduates extend across the entire production chain, from evaluating land for vineyard establishment to vineyard management, grape processing, wine packaging, marketing, and distribution. This allows graduates to assume roles that involve managing production, operations, sales, and quality control laboratories in wineries, including medium and large-sized enterprises.
These same skills enable them to work as technical managers in production and commercial businesses that offer equipment, products, and services to the wine industry. They can also find employment within public administration, producer associations, and consortia, providing support and governance to the wine sector.
The technical expertise of Viticulture and Enology graduates allows them to support wineries as freelance professionals and to disseminate technical and scientific information through media channels.
Further career opportunities may include employment in the alcoholic beverage industry, particularly in breweries.
The course allows registration in the Order of Agronomists and Foresters in the junior section after passing the State exam.

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The opportunity of studying in the framework of the Erasmus + Program, the rules for participation and the criteria for theselection of students are indicated in a specific call for applications for the Food Science Area. Mobility is provided towards 30 partner universities widely distributed in Europe, selected on the base of their teaching affinity with the course of study (degree program) and notoriety in the specific area. The areas of study that can be developed abroad include physiology, genetics and viticulture techniques, chemistry and wine microbiology, wine-making technologies, sensory analysis and marketing of the wine commerce. The learning agreement is outlined in collaboration with the person in charge for the Erasmus of the degree program, as regards both the choice of courses and the organization of the internship at the partner university. Students must obtain the formal approval of the examinations that they intend to carry out at the host university from professors who hold equivalent or similar teachings at the University of Milan before completing the learning agreement. As regards experimental activities abroad, which can constitute part or the entire program of the internship, a letter of agreement from a professor of the partner university is required, along with the formal approval on the objectives, on the program and on the term of the internship by a professor of the degree program, who will also act as supervisor. At the end of the study period abroad, students must hand in the transcript of records released by the host university and they obtain, by the approbation of the Teaching Board, credits and votes recognition on the base of a default conversion scale. The degree course offers integrated study programmes (https://www.unimi.it/en/international/study-abroad/double-degree).
Course attendance is strongly recommended.
Enrolment
Admission requirements

To be admitted to the degree course, it is necessary to have a high school diploma, or other recognized qualification, and adequate preparation in basic scientific disciplines (mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology), logical skills, an ability to express oneself orally and in writing without hesitation of errors, a good general culture.

Assessment of the personal qualification

The degree program is open to all. Five spots are available for first-year enrollment for non-EU students residing abroad and four spots are available for students enrolled in the Marco Polo Project.
Admission to the program is subject to a mandatory, but non-selective, knowledge assessment test prior to enrollment. This test assesses students' initial preparation in terms of knowledge requirements in basic scientific disciplines, with a level of depth equivalent to that derived from secondary school preparation, and their understanding of elementary logic.
The test required for admission to the degree program is the TOLC-AV, an online test administered by CISIA (Interuniversity Consortium for Integrated Access Systems - https://www.cisiaonline.it).
Test structure, topics, and other useful information: https://www.cisiaonline.it/area-tematica-tolc-agraria-veterinaria/struttura-della-prova-e-syllabus/
The TOLC-AV test can be taken at the University of Milan or any other CISIA member university. The calendar with available venues and dates is posted to the page https://tolc.cisiaonline.it/calendario.php . Registration procedures and deadlines are set out in the call for applications posted to the page: https://viticolturaenologia.cdl.unimi.it/it/iscriversi Only students high enough in the merit ranking will be eligible for enrolment.

Admission of transfer or graduate students

Transfer students from a degree programme of the University of Milan, or another university, and graduate students will be waived from the test requirement only if admitted to years subsequent to Year I. To this end, they will have to submit a specific request for prior assessment of their academic records using the online service as shown in the call for applications. These candidates must provide a full transcript of records (listing exams, subject areas, credits, grades) and attach the course syllabi. For more details and dates, please refer to the call for applications. Students admitted to the first year will be required to take the test and register for the call.

Additional learning requirements (OFA) and remedial activities

Admitted students who do not achieve a score higher than 3 in the Mathematics section of the TOLC-AV are assigned additional learning obligations (OFA). Remedial activities will be organized for students with OFA (in the period October-December), both as online exercises on an e-learning platform and as discussion sessions with a tutor. After participating in remedial activities, new students will have to take a final assessment test. Mathematics OFA are prerequisites for all second and third-year exams. For students who have not passed the OFA final test during the first year, passing the Mathematics exam is a prerequisite for all second- and third-year exams. Learn more at https://viticolturaenologia.cdl.unimi.it/it/studiare/le-matricole

Places available: 40

Call for applications

Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.

Session: 1

Application for matriculation: from 15/07/2026 to 30/09/2026

Read the Call

Session: 2

Application for admission: application deadlines will be published shortly.

The call for applications is being finalized

Online services
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Programme description and courses list
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Elements of Economics 6 64 Italian AGRI-01/A
General and Inorganic Chemistry 6 60 Italian CHEM-03/A
Mathematics 6 68 Italian MATH-03/A
Plant Biology 8 64 Italian BIOS-01/A BIOS-01/C
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Agronomy 6 56 Italian AGRI-02/A
Organic Chemistry 6 56 Italian CHEM-05/A
Physics 6 64 Italian PHYS-04/A
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
English Assessment B1 (3 ECTS) 3 0 English NN
be activated by the A.Y. 2027/2028
year
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Enology 1 11 104 Italian AGRI-07/A
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Agricultural Chemistry 10 80 Italian AGRI-06/B
- Biochimica e fisiologia vegetale648AGRI-06/B
- Chimica del suolo432AGRI-06/B
Enological and Fermentations Chemistry 6 52 Italian CHEM-07/C
Microbiology 6 56 Italian AGRI-08/A
Optional
Applied Agrometeorology in a Changing Climate 4 38 Italian AGRI-03/A
Cultivation of Plants for Beer, Liqueurs and Spirits Production 4 32 Italian AGRI-02/B
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Biology and Genetics of Grapevines 8 72 Italian AGRI-03/A
Computer Skills, Statistics and Data Management in the Winery 9 88 Italian NN
Enochemical Analysis 6 64 Italian AGRI-07/A
Optional
Cereals for Malts and Other Semi-Finished Products Preparation 4 32 Italian AGRI-07/A
Study plan rules
- During the second year, within the 12 elective credits available to students, the Viticulture and Enology Teaching Committee proposes, in the table below, some training activities that can be delivered in a blended format.
As part of the elective activities, students have the opportunity to complete a second internship, possibly at an external company, according to the procedures established by the University. In this case, the activities to be carried out during the internship will be under the direct responsibility of a university tutor and must not be considered a mere repetition of those completed during the first internship. The second internship will earn 4 credits.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Applied Agrometeorology in a Changing Climate 4 38 Italian First semester AGRI-03/A
Cultivation of Plants for Beer, Liqueurs and Spirits Production 4 32 Italian First semester AGRI-02/B
Cereals for Malts and Other Semi-Finished Products Preparation 4 32 Italian Second semester AGRI-07/A
be activated by the A.Y. 2028/2029
year
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Vineyard Protection 11 104 Italian AGRI-05/A AGRI-05/B
- Entomologia548AGRI-05/A
- Patologia vegetale656AGRI-05/B
Viticultural and Enological Engineering 11 112 Italian AGRI-04/B
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Enological Microbiology 6 56 Italian AGRI-08/A
Management of Vinicultural Firm and Marketing Elements 8 72 Italian AGRI-01/A
Optional
Brewing and Spirits Technology 4 32 Italian AGRI-07/A
Packaging for the Wine Industry 4 32 Italian AGRI-07/A
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Enology 2 10 84 Italian AGRI-07/A
- Analisi sensoriale544AGRI-07/A
- Tecnologie e processi enologici540AGRI-07/A
Viticulture: Cultivation Techniques 6 64 Italian AGRI-03/A
Optional
Sustainable Management of Fungal Diseases of Grapevine 4 40 Italian AGRI-05/B
Viticultural Practices 4 64 Italian AGRI-03/A AGRI-04/B AGRI-05/B AGRI-07/A
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Stage 10 0 Italian NN
Final Exam 3 0 Italian NN
Study plan rules
- During the third year, within the 12 elective credits available to students, the Viticulture and Enology Teaching Committee proposes, in the table below, some training activities that can be delivered in a blended format.
As part of the elective activities, students have the opportunity to complete a second internship, possibly at an external company, according to the procedures established by the University. In this case, the activities to be carried out during the internship will be under the direct responsibility of a university tutor and must not be considered a mere repetition of those completed during the first internship. The second internship will earn 4 credits.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Brewing and Spirits Technology 4 32 Italian First semester AGRI-07/A
Packaging for the Wine Industry 4 32 Italian First semester AGRI-07/A
Sustainable Management of Fungal Diseases of Grapevine 4 40 Italian Second semester AGRI-05/B
Viticultural Practices 4 64 Italian Second semester AGRI-03/A AGRI-04/B AGRI-05/B AGRI-07/A
Prescribed foundation courses
Learning activityPrescribed foundation courses
Agricultural Chemistry Organic Chemistry (compulsory)
Biology and Genetics of Grapevines Agricultural Chemistry (compulsory), Plant Biology (compulsory)
Enochemical Analysis Organic Chemistry (compulsory)
Enological Microbiology Microbiology (compulsory)
Enological and Fermentations Chemistry Organic Chemistry (compulsory)
Enology 1 Enological and Fermentations Chemistry (compulsory), Physics (compulsory)
Enology 2 Enology 1 (compulsory)
Microbiology Plant Biology (compulsory)
Organic Chemistry General and Inorganic Chemistry (compulsory)
Viticulture: Cultivation Techniques Agronomy (compulsory), Biology and Genetics of Grapevines (compulsory)
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Academic guidance tutor
Erasmus and international mobility tutor 
Quality Assurance Delegate
Contacts

For students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes, tuition fees are to be paid in two instalments:

  • the amount of the first instalment is the same for all students and is due upon enrolment
  • the amount of the second instalment varies according to each student's ISEE University value and the degree programme in which they are enrolled
  • for international students with income and assets abroad, the second instalment varies according to their country of origin.

Education incentive programmes and other benefits

The University offers scholarships, cafeterias, subsidised accommodation and other forms of financial support to students meeting specific economic and merit requirements.

More information