Assistant to Vineyard Manager & Winemaker
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
Chilford Hundred Limited
Linton, Cambridgeshire,
England
Due to an expanding workload Chilford Hall Vineyard are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic individual to join our team as assistant to the vineyard manager and winemaker. The position will cover all aspects of a busy working vineyard and winery, including management, planning and establishment of new planting, canopy management and harvesting.
In addition to our own 20 acre vineyard, established in 1972, Chilford Hall has built a thriving contractual service. Helping owners and growers with both establishment and maintenance of new vineyards in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.
We have recently expanded the capacity of our winery to 100,000 litres and offer contract winemaking (both still and sparkling) for owners and growers across East Anglia, employing all recognised winemaking practices.
The successful candidate will be expected to be very hands on and assist in the following:
Vineyard:
Off site visits and assessment including soil sampling; liaising with contractors with regard to site preparation and planting.
Establishing agreed trellis systems; maintenance and repair of existing trellis systems, pruning and canopy maintenance.
Disease monitoring, pest control, vine nutrition, berry monitoring and harvesting.
Spraying, grass cutting and general vineyard maintenance
Winery:
Grape reception, weighing, sorting and pressing
Settling, racking, inoculating and monitoring of fermentation’s, stabilising and filtering
Sampling for in house and external independent analysis
Preparation for bottling and bottling, cleaning and sanitation of all equipment
Transportation to and from cellars; loading of riddling cages and machine, disgorging.
Foiling, labelling, packing, dispatching wine orders and delivery of wine orders.
Stocking of Chilford Hall Vineyard Visitor Centre
Additional activities:
Maintenance of estate grounds including spraying, grass and hedge cutting, and minor general maintenance.
Occasionally undertaking guided vineyard tours and tastings.
Essential requirements:
Degree in Viticulture and Oenology
Full UK driving licence, PA1 & PA3, Counterbalance forklift truck licence
12 months vineyard/winery experience
Knowledge of current health and safety regulations and accurate record keeping
Personal Attributes:
Must be passionate and enthusiastic about English wine, have an excellent communication style to engage enthusiastically with Chilford Hall visitors.
A team player able to operate within a small close knit team
Ability to work in all weather conditions and able to carry up to 25kgs in weight.
Hours - 37.5 per week; annual leave entitlement of 20 days, plus bank holidays. The working week is generally 08.00 – 16.00 Mon- Fri but with an understanding that hours will be varied around harvest and other times subject to business requirements.
Additional Health and Safety training will be given along with uniform, PPE and company pension.
Applicant must have the right to work in the UK
Applications: with CV and accompanying letter to [email protected]