Vineyard Manager
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
The Moorbridge Estate Vineyard
Berkshire,
England
The Moorbridge Estate Vineyard in Berkshire (England) will produce only premium-quality English wine from 17.5 hectares (ha) of vines, predominantly for sparkling wine production. The vineyard will be established in spring 2018 on a southerly-facing site with an excellent soil profile over chalk. The vineyard will be complemented by a state-of-the-art winery in 2020.
This is a privileged position reporting directly to the business owner. The successful candidate will have full responsibility for the 17.5 ha vineyard as well as oversight of the biodiversity areas, a kitchen garden, and environmental protection. This hands-on role requires a high degree of self-motivation and dedication to generating continuous improvements and the best possible quality crop.
We are seeking an experienced and passionate candidate to manage this high-class vineyard. The candidate will demonstrate experience in all aspects of vineyard operations as well as strong viticulture science, planning, communication and interpersonal skills. They will be a strong team player, as part of an exciting and dynamic enterprise, who will bring innovation into the vineyard with good observational, diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
Principal responsibilities
- Overseeing vineyard planting in spring 2018
- Managing 17.5 ha of grape vines (varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir Précoce, Pinot Blanc, and Ortega), and the vineyard infrastructure
- Overseeing 4 ha of biodiversity areas, a kitchen garden, and environmental protection
- Producing grapes of a ripeness level to be agreed with the Winemaker
- Producing grape yields of between 5t–10t/ha on average, across six grape varieties
Technical aspects
Implement programmes for the following tasks:
- Maintaining vineyard infrastructure and machinery
- Bud-rubbing, winter pruning, and grapevine canopy management
- Soil and weed management, including under-vine soil tillage
- Vine nutrition
- Crop and frost protection
Practical / Management aspects
- Create and manage the annual vineyard budget
- Create and manage a work plan for labour/seasonal staff
- Monitoring ripeness and quality of the crop, and feeding results back to the Winemaker
- Direction of the grape harvest, in conjunction with the Winemaker
- Establish and manage standard operating and Health And Safety procedures
- Establish and manage environmental and waste management plans
- Keeping records of all inputs and activities in the vineyard
In addition, as and when reasonably requested, the post holder will be required to provide:
- Public relations support and representation of the Moorbridge Estate Vineyard
- Flexibility and ability to work overtime up to 7-days per week as needed, during harvest and at other key times of the year
- Any other reasonable and relevant duties from time-to-time
Experience and training
Essential
- Five years professional management of medium scale (>15 ha) vineyards growing high quality grapes
- Cool-climate viticulture experience
- Experience in managing contractors and staff
- Relevant operational licences (driving, spraying etc.)
- Good IT skills
- Strong communication skills
Desirable
- Tertiary or higher qualification in viticulture or relevant field.
Accommodation and location
There will be 2-bedroom accommodation provided near or on-site as part of the employment package. The vineyard estate is in a beautiful location in rural Berkshire with amenities and primary and secondary schools nearby.
Application process
Recruitment is being managed by Climate Wine Consulting Ltd.
Applications close: 6th December 2017.
1st round interviews are expected to take place the 18th – 19th December 2017. Final interviews will take place in early January 2018.
The successful candidate must be able to commence work in mid-April 2018, and have the right and ability to take up employment in the UK.