Nature & Agriculture · EFZ
Vintner EFZ
Tend vines and produce wine.
About this profession
Tend vines and produce wine. Over 3 years you learn this profession in a host company, at the vocational school and in inter-company courses. At the end you receive a nationally recognised Federal VET Diploma (EFZ).
Day-to-day responsibilities
- ›Plant, prune, and tend grapevines
- ›Monitor harvest, process grapes
- ›Press, age, and bottle wines
- ›Maintain and operate machinery, equipment
Skills you'll need
A typical week as an apprentice
Host company
3 days/week — you learn the trade hands-on alongside experienced professionals.
Vocational school
1–2 days/week — general education plus job-specific theory.
Inter-company courses (üK)
Several blocks per year — practise core techniques together with other apprentices.
Where you'll work
Farms, forests, gardens, food production — outdoors with the seasons.
Entry requirements
- Completed compulsory school (Sek A or B, depending on profession). Strong school report in relevant subjects helps.
- A 'Schnupperlehre' (1–5 day taster) is the best way to find out if the profession suits you.
What you earn at the end
Federal VET Diploma (EFZ) — a nationally recognised qualification that opens doors to higher VET (HF), the vocational baccalaureate (BM) and universities of applied sciences.
Apprentice wage
Typical monthly gross wage (CHF). Actual wages vary by sector and region.
Year 1
CHF 700 – 900/ Mt.
Year 2
CHF 950 – 1’200/ Mt.
Year 3
CHF 1’300 – 1’700/ Mt.
Future-readiness
Score 4/5Our take
Demand for quality wines is stable; adapting to climate change and new technologies ensures future career opportunities.
Sources
Early contract endings in this field
Across Nature & Agriculture apprenticeships, roughly 22–30% of contracts are ended early, compared with about 23% nationally. Most of those apprentices continue their training elsewhere.
Further education & career
- Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Viticulture
- Specialised tertiary education in Oenology
- Vocational Baccalaureate and University of Applied Sciences
- Specialisation in organic viticulture
Learn more
Official sources and further information about this profession.