Winemakers oversee the fermenting and bottling of several types of wine. They generally also supervise the harvest of the grapes.

Winemakers coordinate tasks between the vineyard and the winery. They work with viticulturists who manage the cultivation of grapes. Winemakers test grapes to see when they are ready to be harvested.

After grapes are picked they are crushed and their stems are removed. Winemakers oversee this process. The crushed grapes are prepared for fermentation by adding yeast, sulfites, and sometimes water or sugar.

When fermentation is complete, winemakers transfer the wine to vats or barrels to age it. Winemakers select oak or steel barrels for aging depending on the desired taste. They often taste samples of wines that have been aging to test their flavors.

After aging, winemakers supervise the bottling process.

Because there are so many varieties of wine grapes, winemakers often specialize in one or two types of wine. There are many types of grapes, including varieties such as:

• Cabernet
• Merlot
• Pinot noir
• Riesling
• Chardonnay

Winemakers often participate in special winery or vineyard events, such as tours, tastings, or dinners for special guests.