By SONJA KOREMANS
THEY may be too young to drink wine but these teens have a passion for plonk and are doing their part of ensure the region’s viticulture industry is in good hands.
The Stanthorpe High students have jumped into winemaking boots and all, learning how to make the precious liquid at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism (QCWT).
A day in wine class can take the grade 11 and 12 students from the paddock to the chemistry lab where they taught all the technical and practical elements of grape production, bottling, cellaring and sales.
No, they can’t taste, sip or even swirl and spit the results of their hard work but teacher Warren Franklin says the budding sommeliers know how to make wine the public loves.
“We have 28 students at the moment studying for their wine certificate as part of the senior curriculum and they are extremely dedicated, said Mr Franklin, the high school’s head of agriculture.
Under the tutelage of leading winemaker Peter Orr, the students have lessons at the QCWT’s Banca Ridge Winery, where their wine in including varietals such as Viogner and Tempranillio is sold at cellar door.
“The kids really enjoy the practical nature of the subject, that they can see what they have produced in the vineyard being taken right through the whole process to being sold to the public.“
Mr Franklin said being unable to taste test may even make the students more skilled at picking a top drop than professional quaffers.
“They are banned from tasting so the students work very hard on their sensory assessment and understanding the chemistry behind wine production.“
The two-year training is part of Qeensland’s Gateway to Industry program which aims to help students make a successful transition from school into employment in the food, wine and tourism industries.
Students who complete the two-year course leave with Certificate 2 in Wine Industry Operations.
QCWT educator Peter Orr said his Stanthorpe High underlings were producing top caliber wines. Some of the wines have made the cut for the Royal Queensland Wine Show in July where they will be tested by masters winemakers from across Australia, Mr Orr said.
