Harvest Cellar Hand | Winery Assistant | Future Winemaking Opportunities
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Contract
London, E17,
England
Harvest Cellar Hand | Winery Assistant | Future Winemaking Opportunities
Vintage 2026 | Start of September – early November
Renegade Urban Winery | Walthamstow, East London
British wine deserves to be more exciting.
We bring exceptional grapes from some of England's finest growers into London and make the wines here, surrounded by the restaurants, bars and people who ultimately drink them.
We're looking for a Harvest Cellar Hand to join us for Vintage 2026.
We’re a small team and you’ll work directly with Sam, our winemaker. This is not a team of 50, this is a team of only a few. No better place to learn and really add value.
2026 will be a pretty small harvest for us (20+ tons), so it won’t be silly….
This role has been created to identify talented people who could become part of Renegade's long-term production team. While the position is seasonal, exceptional candidates may be considered for future permanent opportunities.
About Renegade
Every year we source fruit from outstanding vineyards across England, we produce still and sparkling wines from multiple regions, grape varieties and styles.
Our winery is unlike almost anywhere else in the country. Visitors can watch wine being made while enjoying tastings, events and dinner overlooking London's wetlands. Production, hospitality and education all happen under one roof, creating a unique environment to learn modern winemaking.
We're a small, ambitious business that believes English wine can craft its own unique identity while not taking its selves too seriously.
The Role
Working alongside our winemaker, you'll be involved in almost every aspect of harvest, including:
- Grape reception and fruit processing
- Press loading and operation
- Juice and wine transfers
- Tank preparation, cleaning and sanitation
- Fermentation monitoring
- Wine additions and inoculations
- Pump-overs and punch-downs
- Barrel preparation and management
- Sampling and basic laboratory work
- Winery hygiene and organisation
- General cellar operations
Harvest is physically demanding and fast-paced. Expect long days, evening and weekend work, and plenty of problem-solving. In return, you'll experience the most exciting part of the winemaking year alongside a passionate and supportive team.
Who We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who is curious, practical, hardworking and genuinely excited about making great wine.
Ideally you'll have:
- At least one previous winery harvest or relevant winery experience (if you haven’t though, don’t let this put you off – attitude is more important!)
- A strong work ethic and willingness to get stuck in
- Excellent attention to detail
- Good practical and mechanical ability
- A calm, positive attitude under pressure
- Confidence working as part of a small team
- Good written and spoken English
- The physical fitness required for harvest work
- The legal right to work in the UK
Forklift experience, laboratory experience or formal wine qualifications are advantageous, but not essential.
What You'll Get
- Hands-on experience across the full harvest process
- Exposure to wines from multiple English regions and grape varieties (and maybe some Burgundian fruit, let’s see)
- Real responsibility within a small, supportive team
- The opportunity to learn directly from an experienced winemaker
- Opportunities to taste, learn and develop throughout harvest
Unlike many larger wineries, you won't spend eight weeks doing one repetitive task. You'll gain experience across the winery and develop a genuine understanding of modern English winemaking.
The Details
Location: Renegade Urban Winery, Walthamstow, East London
Contract: Seasonal Harvest Contract
Dates: September to early November 2026 (depending on harvest)
Salary: London living wage
Hours: Harvest hours, including evenings and weekends when required
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visas.
As this is London, we are unable to provide accommodation.
How to Apply
Please send:
- Your CV
- A short covering email telling us why you're interested in Renegade and where you hope your career in winemaking will take you. Do not write it with AI, we want to hear from you.
We look forward to hearing from you. [email protected]
London living wage
How To Apply
Either apply through here or email
[email protected] with your CV and a cover letter (not done with AI!!!!).