Vineyard (Viticulture) Apprentice
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Part Time
Vineyard Farms Ltd
Luddesdown DA13,
England
Full job description
We are excited to announce that we are looking for two new vineyard apprentices. This is an amazing opportunity to join a dedicated organisation with a passion for sustainability and organic techniques. Vineyard Farms (MDCV) has a vision to bring the finest English and Provençal wines to the UK. We have history of producing award-winning Provence Rosé and English Sparkling Wines, with extensive infrastructure in the UK. We offer an opportunity for a new apprentice to join this fast growing UK industry. You will learn a variety of skills related to vineyards.
As this is an apprenticeship, you will attend Plumpton College for your learning through block release, where you will study for a week at a time (5 times throughout the year).
Hours: 40 hours per week. Monday to Friday with one hour lunch break.
Salary: £26,000 per year rising to £27,000 after passing probation after 6 months.
Application deadline: 2nd June 2025
About the Employer
We have a passion for sustainability and manage all our vineyards organically, while also employing pioneering techniques to minimise our impact on the environment, such as composting organic waste, harvesting rainwater and heating our sites using natural sources, such as ground source heat pumps.
We are the single biggest organic vineyard in the UK with Vineyards In Luddesdown, Upper Bush, Bodiam Castle and Crouch Valley in Essex
Vineyard Farms is owned by MDCV and they have a vision to bring the finest English and Provençal wines to the UK market. MDCV have a long history of producing award-winning Provence rosé and English Sparkling Wines, and with an extensive infrastructure, both in France and the UK we are able to harness the finest talent in all areas of our business, to deliver exceptional products to the UK market.
What will the apprentice be doing?
The apprentice will learn all elements of Vineyard Management and Vine care. Supporting the Vineyard Manager with projects, planning and execution of the plan.
Day to day work will vary depending on the season, but will include:
- weeding
- hoeing
- disease control and identification
- grinding roots
- leaf stripping
- bud rubbing
- grape picking/harvesting in late summer/autumn
- tying down
- strimming
- trellising
- Supporting the Vineyard Manager with projects, planning and execution of the plan.
- crop walks to identify issues and building a plan to combat them.
What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?
Viticulture or wine growing is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes.
Duties of the viticulturist include monitoring and controlling pests and diseases, fertilising, irrigation, canopy management, monitoring fruit development and characteristics, harvest decisions, and vine pruning during the winter months.
Viticulturists are often intimately involved with winemakers, because vineyard management and the resulting grape characteristics provide the basis from which winemaking can begin.
The role requires self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and as a team player to complete tasks safely and efficiently. A lot of time is spent outdoors in all weathers, so resilience and drive are imperative to be successful.
The course will also incorporate a range of competency certificates, such as first aid and pesticide application.
What apprentices will learn
- Pest & disease management
- Yield forecasting & management
- Pruning & trellising
- Canopy management
- Vineyard floor management
- Vineyard establishment
- Harvest planning and management
- Vineyard nutrition
- Health & safety and standard operating procedures
- Vineyard machinery & equipment
- Qualifications Awarded
- Apprenticeship Certificate
- Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work
- Level 2 in Maths and English (if applicable)
- PA1 Safe use of pesticides (pre requisite of PA3)
- PA3 Air assisted sprayer
- Delivery model
- 10 weekly blocks of teaching split between the main campus and the college’s Rock Lodge Vineyard.
What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?
We have various roles that this may or may not lead to from Vineyard Manager to Technical Manager, Operations Manager, tractor Driver, Vineyard Supervisor and Crop Technician.
Desired skills and personal qualities
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- IT Skills
- Number skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Can-do attitude
- Patience
- Willingness to learn
- Ability to work under pressure
Benefits
Generous staff discount, free parking and access to various internal and external events. Perkbox. Company discounts on wine and cellar door and all PPE is provided.
Things to consider
- Having access to your own transport is highly recommended due to rural location of vineyard.
- Much of the work is outside in all weathers. The work itself will be quite physical. During peak season, early starts will be required. Being prepared for this is important.
- You MUST not be in any other form of full-time or part time formal education (such as school, college or university) to be eligible to apply for an apprenticeship. Shorter course may not apply.
- You MUST have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to the start of learning and be eligible to work in the UK.
- You MUST be located in an area local to the apprenticeship or be prepared to relocate in time to start employment and study.
- This apprenticeship is approximately 24 months.
Job Type: Apprenticeship
Pay: £26,000.00 per year
Schedule:
Application question(s):
- What attracted you to this role?
- Do you hold a full UK driving license? If yes, do you have a car?
Work Location: In person
