A rising star of the Riverina wine scene has credited TAFE NSW with helping him create a platform for success in the ultra-competitive industry.

At just 25, Griffith’s Aaron Salvestrin owns Sans Pareil Estate winery, which has enjoyed extraordinary growth in its three years of operation.

A third generation viticulturalist, Mr Salvestrin has tannins running through his veins but it wasn’t until he enrolled in a Certificate III in Wine Operations at TAFE NSW Griffith in 2013 that he felt ready to take the next step.

“I grew up on a vineyard and ever since I can remember, I was fascinated by the wine industry,” Mr Salvestrin said.

“I helped out with harvest from a young age and got a job as a vineyard hand at McWilliam’s when I was 18.

“I really wanted my career to evolve so enrolled in a Certificate III in Wine Operations at TAFE NSW Griffith in 2014 to get real practical skills and work experience.

“It really filled in the blanks for me and helped me understand the reasons behind why we did certain methods of pruning and other tasks in the vineyard.”

Mr Salvestrin later went on to earn a Bachelor of Viticulture before launching the Sans Pareil label in late 2017.

The Australian wine sector contributes over $40 billion annually to the Australian economy and employs more than 170,000 people, with the Riverina alone growing 15 per cent of the nation’s total grape production.

“If you want to get into the industry, you need a qualification and TAFE NSW is the ideal place to do it,” Mr Salvestrin said.

“My teacher was a friend and a mentor to me and he really knows his stuff. Whether you want to be a winemaker, a lab assistant, in sales or a warehouse guy, TAFE NSW will give you the qualification you need to work in the wine industry.”

TAFE NSW Griffith wine industry teacher Frank Alampi said it was gratifying to see TAFE NSW graduates like Mr Salvestrin making a mark on the industry.

“Aaron was such a diligent student and it’s brilliant to see him progressing so well – it’s why you teach,” Mr Alampi said.

“There are hundreds of jobs in the Riverina wine industry and there are so many different avenues to progress your career, especially if you have the right qualifications to make you job ready.”

He said the course was being offered via blended delivery – a mix of face-to-face and online learning – to ensure the principles of social distancing are adhered to.

To find out more about studying wine operations at TAFE NSW, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Daniel Johns, TAFE NSW Media and Communications – Business Partner, 6938 1441, mobile 0477 722 428.