The professional performance of oenologists of IFRS campus Bento Gonçalves in brazilian wine tourism

Abstract

This article aims to analyse the professional performance of technicians and technologists in the Viticulture and Oenology graduation course at IFRS Campus Bento Gonçalves, and their relation to wine tourism activities in a descriptive and exploratory study, through an online survey. This survey consists in open and closed questions about socio-demographic, qualification and professional performance aspects. The sample corresponds to 91 participants, who concluded college between 2011 and 2017, considering N = 322. The descriptive statistics applied identified the main activities respondents, including: wine analysis and elaboration, visitors reception and serving, guide tours and cellar door. Among the participants, 75 % had guided visitors during tasting, but just 59 % had indicated that they have already worked with wine tourism activities. The technician in Viticulture and Oenology is one of the professionals that has to work in wine tourism, followed by the tourism professional and the oenologist. Every informant has considered meaningful to learn about wine tourism, however 68 % indicates that the college do not provide enough background related to. Results confirm that oenologists have a relevant role to develop for wine tourism, because of the tourist activities they are involved, although they do not have enough practical and theoretical background knowledge to promote their qualification. It is institute duty to adapt the curriculum courses, updating them according to the job market.

Keywords: Wine tourism. Professional education. Rural development.