Senior Cellar Hand

Kono NZ; Blenheim; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-time position

40 hours per week

Values-driven culture

Job summary

Kono NZ is seeking an experienced Senior Cellar Hand in Marlborough to lead all cellar operations and support the team in producing wines that compete internationally.

The role requires 5+ years in cellar work, a Viticulture/Winemaking degree, and hands-on equipment expertise with RDV, Bucher presses and Armbruster Destemmer. You will collaborate closely with Winemaker and Lab Manager in a dynamic winery environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years cellar hand experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture or Winemaking.
• Hands-on experience with winery equipment (RDV, Bucher presses, Armbruster Destemmer).
• Experience with wine production processes, quality monitoring and compliance.
• Confident working in a laboratory environment.
• Understand winery engineering including refrigeration infrastructure.
• Reliable with strong communication and leadership.
• Physically fit and able to work flexible hours.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and perform all cellar operations to produce top-quality wine.
• Supervise contractors and seasonal staff during harvest and critical periods.
• Ensure all cellar procedures are safe, efficient and meet quality standards.
• Collaborate with Winemaker, Assistant Winemaker, Laboratory Manager and operations team.
• Operate and maintain winery equipment (RDV, Bucher presses, Armbruster Destemmer).
• Work in a laboratory environment, assisting with testing and sampling.
• Apply knowledge of winery engineering and refrigeration infrastructure.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives in processes, equipment use and safety.

Skills

Leadership

Winery operations

Lab testing

Quality monitoring

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture or Winemaking

Tools

RDV

Bucher presses

Armbruster Destemmer

Job description

Senior Cellar Hand role supporting a premium Māori-owned wine business in Marlborough. Bring your experience, motivation and commitment.

Kono is a Māori whānau-owned food and beverage business with a proud legacy and a bold 500-year intergeneration vision. Our award-winning wines are enjoyed around the world, showcasing the craftsmanship of Tohu Wines and Kono Wines, and our commitment to protecting and enhancing our taonga for current and future generations.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Cellar Hand to take a lead role in all cellar operations and support our team to continue to produce wines that compete and perform at an international level.

About the role

This is a key senior operational role for a self-motivated, organised individual with leadership capability and proven cellar hand experience.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee and perform all cellar operations to produce top-quality wine.
• Supervise contractors and seasonal staff during harvest and critical periods.
• Ensure all cellar procedures are safe, efficient and meet quality standards.
• Collaborate with the Winemaker, Assistant Winemaker, Laboratory Manager, and operations team.
• Operate and maintain winery equipment, including RDV, Bucher presses, and Armbruster Destemmer.
• Work confidently in a laboratory environment, assisting with testing and sampling.
• Apply knowledge of winery engineering, including refrigeration infrastructure.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives in processes, equipment use and safety.

About you

• Proven cellar hand experience, a minimum of 5 years.
• Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture or Wine making (or equivalent).
• Expert knowledge and hands-on experience with winery equipment, including RDV, Bucher presses, and Armbruster Destemmer.
• Experience with wine production processes, quality monitoring and compliance
• Confidence and competency working in a laboratory environment.
• Sound understanding of winery engineering, including refrigeration infrastructure.
• Reliability, strong communication skills and leadership capability
• Physically fit and willing to work flexible hours in variable conditions

Why Join Kono

This is a great opportunity to work in a key senior role offering fulltime hours 40hrs/week, a supportive and values driven organisation in a Senior Winery Cellar Hand role