Assistant Vineyard Manager & Winemaker
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
Mereworth, Kent,
England
Assistant Vineyard Manager & Winemaker
About Mereworth Wines
Mereworth Wines is an award-winning grower and producer of premium English sparkling wine in the heart of Kent. Alongside our vineyards and winery, we operate a thriving cellar door offering tours, tastings, dining, events and live music, as well as providing contract winemaking services.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and practical Assistant Vineyard Manager & Winemaker to join our small, hands-on team. This is an exceptionally varied role that offers involvement in every stage of grape growing and wine production.
We're looking for someone who is mechanically minded, has a passion for plants and vines, and takes pride in producing exceptional English wine.
Key Responsibilities
Vineyard Operations
Working alongside the Vineyard Manager, you will help plan and carry out seasonal vineyard operations including:
- Pruning and vine training
- Shoot thinning and canopy management
- Wire lifting
- Spraying
- Trimming and topping
- Mowing and mulching
- Under-vine cultivation
- Mechanical leaf removal
- Harvest operations
- Pest and disease monitoring
- Orchard and wider estate horticultural maintenance
- Groundskeeping around the winery, vineyards and visitor areas
You will also:
- Operate tractors, forklifts and associated machinery safely
- Carry out routine inspections, servicing and maintenance of equipment
- Maintain spray records and other statutory documentation
- Assist with stock control, purchasing and health & safety compliance
Winery & Production
You will support all aspects of wine production, including:
- Fruit processing and pressing
- Fermentation management
- Laboratory analysis
- Racking and blending
- Filtration
- Bottling
- Disgorging
- Labelling and packaging
- Cellar hygiene and cleaning
You'll also assist with:
- Food safety and production record keeping
- Stocktakes
- New product development and production trials
- Packaging, storage and distribution
- Sustainability and accreditation records
Estate & Cellar Door
As part of a small team, you'll also support the wider business by:
- Maintaining the appearance of the winery and visitor areas
- Carrying out general maintenance tasks
- Identifying and reporting health & safety issues
- Supporting horticultural projects, woodland trails and visitor experiences
- Assisting the hospitality team during busy periods when required
- Undertaking other reasonable duties to support the business
About You
We're looking for someone who is practical, proactive and enjoys working across a wide range of tasks.
Essential
- Passion for vines, plants and horticulture
- Mechanically minded with good practical skills
- Willingness to learn and develop
- Positive attitude and strong work ethic
- Full UK driving licence
Desirable
- Vineyard or horticultural experience
- Tractor driving experience
- Winemaking or food/manufacturing experience
- PA1/PA2/PA3 spraying certificates
- Forklift licence
What We Offer
- A genuinely varied role across vineyard, winery and estate operations
- Opportunity to develop practical winemaking and viticulture skills
- Work with premium English wine from vine to bottle
- Training and professional development opportunities
- A supportive, ambitious and passionate team
- Staff discounts across the business
Hours
The normal working week is Monday to Friday or Tuesday to Saturday depending on operational requirements.
Due to the seasonal nature of vineyard and winery work, flexibility is required during harvest and other peak periods.
Salary
Competitive salary, dependent upon experience.
How To Apply
Please email your C.V. and a covering letter to Scott Gebbie at
[email protected]
