Assistant Vineyard Manager
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
Shrewsbury, Shropshire,
England
Hencote is a family-run 7-hectare single-site vineyard located near Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Established in 2015 with a view to producing award-winning still and sparkling wine, Hencote enjoyed its first major harvest in 2018 producing est. 30,000 bottles across a range of 8 still and sparkling wines. Having also opened a new winery, restaurant and glamping village in 2018, Hencote aims to become a destination Vineyard Estate with an emphasis on provenance and quality of produce, quality of service and award-winning wine.
The vineyard is planted with the classic varieties Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier as well as parcels of Pinot Noir Precoce, Solaris and Seyval Blanc. A progressive outlook and focus on quality means we achieve minimal pesticide intervention, with no herbicide use. All viticultural practices are geared towards achieving the highest quality of fruit across the various vine varieties and clones, leading to natural expression of grape characteristic and provenance.
We are looking for a new Assistant Vineyard Manager to join Hencote to improve operational efficiency and productivity and to assist in our goals of becoming a premier, award-winning destination vineyard.
Key Responsibilities
- Working at all times under the direction of the Vineyard Manager
- Carrying out all tractor and machinery operations including mowing, fungicide application (where qualified), soil management and routine weekly machinery maintenance
- All aspects of manual viticultural work including winter pruning, growing-season canopy management and autumn harvesting
- Assisting with basic Cellar Hand duties in the winery during harvest relating to grape processing
Key Attributes and Requirements
- Tractor and machinery experience
- At least 2 years vineyard experience or multiple years agricultural/horticultural experience with a willingness to learn and establish a viticultural career (training will be provided where necessary)
- A willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions and flexibility to work outside of typical 9-5 when required
- Appropriate safe use of pesticides certificates (PA1, PA3 & PA6) preferable but not necessary
- An aspirational mindset to join a dynamic and growing business with potential for personal advancement
- An open and inquisitive mindset, willing to challenge existing processes in order to seek improvement
Salary competitive and based on experience.
