Vineyard Manager (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Langham Wine Ltd (http://www.langhamwine.co.uk)

  Langham Wine Estate, Nr Dorchester, Dorset, England

At Langham Wine Estate we pride ourselves in producing characterful English Sparkling Wines using only the highest quality Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot Meunier grown on our single vineyard site. We currently have an exciting opportunity for somebody to manage our 12 hectare vineyard at our estate near Dorchester, Dorset and to oversee the planting of a further 21 ha this year. In 2020 we were named Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year by the IWSC and in three of the past four years, we have been named the best wine producer in the South West. Great vineyard management which yields high quality fruit is at the heart of our success. We are a young and dynamic team who are all deeply passionate about the wines that we are producing here at Langham. We are looking for somebody who will share this passion as we grow into our expansion. The successful candidate will have a flexible approach to winegrowing and be willing to become involved in all aspects of the business – vineyard management, winemaking and business representation.

We are seeking a hands-on, passionate and experienced candidate who is dedicated to producing the highest quality fruit that will report directly to the owner. Ideally the candidate will have experience in all aspects of vineyard management, good communication skills and work well as part of a team. The candidate will have to have a practical ability in all aspects with experience in tractor driving, machinery operation and the maintenance of the equipment.

 

Responsibilities

·         Day to day management of the vineyard

·         Machinery operations: spraying, leaf trimming and stripping, topping and shoot binding

·         Winter pruning, bud rubbing and general canopy management

·         Disease monitoring and control

·         Soil and weed management using an ecologically considerate approach

·         Vine nutrition

·         Monitoring yields and fruit ripeness

·         Manage vineyard health and safety requirements

·         Record keeping – spray records, weather data, labour

·         Routine machinery maintenance

·         Management of vineyard assistants and contract staff when required

·         Helping with winemaking tasks when time allows

·         Representation of the estate both on and off site

Personal Attributes

·         Passionate about cool climate viticulture

·         Flexibility with working hours, willing to work overtime when required

·         Organised and efficient with attention to detail

·         Able to act as a brand ambassador and communicate our passion for English wines

·         Strong team player

Qualifications/Experience

·         Previous experience of a professional vineyard management role

·         Tertiary qualification in viticulture or relevant discipline

·         PA1 and PA3 spray certificates highly desirable

·         Full, clean UK driving license

·         Computer literate with good Microsoft Office skills

·         Forklift qualification preferred

·         Sales and customer service experience would also be beneficial

 

This is a permanent, full-time position beginning with a 6 month probationary period with a starting date from Early May.

 

Please send a CV and covering letter to [email protected]

Salary: competitive salary depending on experience with company pension and the option of a four bedroom/ two bathroom house as part of the package of remuneration

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