Upper Yarra Secondary College is a Year 7 to 12 Government school with approximately 700 students, set in a beautiful location within the Yarra Valley, 65 kms from the Melbourne CBD. Upper Yarra Secondary College facilitates Certificate II in Wine Industry Operations, and has fostered strong relationships with wineries in the Yarra

Marcus Cook is the Learning Specialist and VET Teacher facilitating the Wine studies at Upper Yarra Secondary College: “The class is exposed to industry expertise in marketing, label design, winemaking and viticulture. Working with so many experts has broadened our students’ understanding of the wine industry and inspired several students to continue this pathway as a career.”

Scott Tully, Principal of Upper Yarra Secondary College said the program was delivering real benefits for students: “We began this journey more than five years ago as a concept that would lead to our students finding meaningful work in their own community. We were attempting to establish opportunities that meant young people could live and work in the Yarra Valley and not be forced to leave to find work. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any expertise and relied on a few wine industry people for guidance.”

Oakridge in the Yarra Valley has collaborated with Upper Yarra Secondary College’s Junction Street Vineyard & Co since 2023. The collaboration has seen students from Upper Yarra Secondary College tend to the vines and harvest the grapes, before pinot is produced by Oakridge Wines. Students are led by Oakridge’s viticulturist Steve Faulkner. Under Steve’s guidance, the students assist with pruning, maintenance and picking of grapes from the latest vintage, before an 11-month maturation in French oak and bottling in March. “The program at Upper Yarra Secondary College is focused on innovation and really giving local students hands-on experience in the wine industry,” says Steve. “I’m not aware of another program quite like it in Victoria that leads to bottling for sale to the general public. To see the entire winemaking process, from growing fruit to bottling, and even labelling, is invaluable – and hopefully will be the start of some incredible careers in the wine industry.”

Upper Yarra Secondary College’s Junction Street Vineyard & Co 2023 Pinot Noir was awarded 95 points, a gold medal and Trophy for Best Small Batch Red Wine at the 2024 Yarra Valley Wine Show. This year’s vintage is ranged in a number of Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores in the Yarra Valley. I know there are many proud students, teachers and parents visiting stores to see the Junction Street Vineyard & Co label on the shelves. ‍‍