Vintage Assistant Winemaker
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Contract
Canterbury & Suffolk,
England
Defined Wine Ltd are seeking 2 Vintage Assistant Winemakers 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 Vintage Assistant Winemaker will report to the Operations Winemaker and the Head Winemaker.
Dates and hours
Dates: Start of September to end of November (accommodation within driving distance of the winery is provided for this period).
Hours: 40 hours per week outside harvest, up to 72 hours per week during the peak of harvest (roughly a five-week period from middle of September to end of October).
Tasks will include:
- Support pre-harvest preparations including tank movements and cleaning
- Responsible for running the night shift during the main harvest period
- Working closely with winemakers to ensure wines are made in accordance to client specification
- Preparation and supervision of work orders
- Use of winery software (VinTrace)
- Laboratory management and analysis interpretation
- Managing the team on the nightshift, involved in pressing, cellar and lab operations
- Cap management including pump-overs / punch-downs
- Barrel handling
- Maintaining accurate records of all winery work
- Maintaining a safe work environment at all times and actively participating in Health & Safety policy and procedures
- Lead post-harvest clean down and storage of all harvest equipment
Candidates must have:
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- A winemaking qualification and/or experience as an Assistant Winemaker
- Competence in a broad range of winery duties
- Good organizational and interpersonal skills and the ability to lead a team
- Hold a driving license and a proficiency certificate for forklift operation
- Computer skills to manage winery records, stock management and all winemaking administration
- Flexibility to work extended hours when necessary
- The ability to lift up to 20kg
In addition, candidates should ideally have:
- Lab experience
- Experience of working in a winery with contract clients
- Experience of making cool climate wines
- Experience of working with winery software e.g.VinTrace
- Experience of working with an OenoFoss in the lab
- Own transport
Competitive salary, reflective of previous experience.
For further details and to apply for the post, please email: [email protected]
