Harvest Cellar Hand
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Contract
Canterbury & Suffolk,
England
Defined Wine Ltd is seeking Cellar Hands for the 2025 harvest. Defined Wine Ltd has been set up as a contract-only winery, with no vines or brands of its own. Its focus is therefore solely on supporting clients, whether they be small growers who want a full “crate to case” service, or larger clients who want any part of this: pressing, winemaking, bottling, riddling and disgorging or labelling. We have two sites: Highland Court Farm, near Canterbury, Kent (CT4 5HL) and Holton Hall Farm, Holton St. Mary, Nr Colchester, Suffolk (CO7 6NN).
Given the broad spectrum of our clients and their very different requirements, this is an exciting opportunity to be involved in making a wide range of still and sparkling wines. The Cellar Hands will report to the Cellar Supervisor at both sites and/or the winemaker(s).
Dates and hours
Dates: Start of September to late November (accommodation within driving distance of the winery is included as part of the benefits package for this period).
Hours: 40 hours per week outside of the peak of harvest, up to 72 hours per week (12 hour per days, 6 days a week) during the peak of harvest (the peak consists of roughly a four-week period usually from the end of September to end of October).
Tasks will include:
- Grape receival and processing, both with a forklift truck and by hand
- Inoculation, enrichment and other relevant additions
- Racking and transfers of juice / wine
- Ferment monitoring
- Conduct sampling of wines as advised by winemakers
- Cap management including pump-overs / punch-downs
- Barrel handling (barrel racking and filling, barrel topping, barrel maintenance)
- Bin / tank / press / barrel sanitation
- Maintaining cleanliness throughout the winery at all times
- Maintaining accurate records of all winery work
- Maintaining a safe work environment at all times and actively participating in WHS policy and procedures
Candidates must have:
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- Previous winery experience (minimum one harvest)
- Clear English communication both written and verbal
- The ability to work well in a small team
- The ability to lift up to 20kg
- Good literacy and numeracy skills with an eye for detail
- The understanding that shifts could last up to 12 hours in the peak of harvest and may include a nightshift
- Own transport given the rural location of the winery and the possibility of ending a shift during antisocial hours.
In addition, candidates should ideally have:
- Certification and experience in forklift driving
Competitive salary, reflective of previous experience.
For further details and to apply for the post, please email a copy of your CV and a covering letting to: [email protected]
