Vintage 2026 Positions

Wither Hills; Blenheim; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A winery in Marlborough is seeking harvest supervisors and cellar hands for the 2026 vintage. Responsibilities include leading teams, operating machinery, and ensuring health and safety during 12-hour shifts. Previous winery experience is advantageous, and all applicants must pass a drug and alcohol test. Applications close on February 5, 2026.

Benefits

In-house induction and training

Meals provided during shifts

Social events throughout vintage

Accommodation available onsite

Qualifications

• 3-4 vintages experience for supervisors; winery experience preferred for cellar hands.
• Ability to work 12 hours per day, 6 days per week.
• Effective communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and supervise a small team.
• Perform routine tasks in the cellar and operate machinery.
• Conduct routine analysis on juice & wine samples for lab-based cellar hands.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Health and Safety Awareness

Job description

Vintage will be here before you know it, and the team at Wither Hills is starting the search for our 2026 crew. We have a number of fixed term positions available within our winery based in Marlborough (one of the closest to the Blenheim township). If you want to be part of a fun and motivated harvest team, make some great award-winning wine, and create memories to last a lifetime, then we want to hear from you!

Depending on the season, work will commence early March and finish around mid-April (with the possibility of extension to some contracts). We have a limited number of rooms to rent in one of our two houses onsite (so you can walk to work). During 12-hour shifts we will provide everyone with a meal. We also have an array of social events throughout vintage. All successful applicants will be offered an in-house induction and training for their roles, consider health and safety first and be open to learning our processes and procedures.

SUPERVISORS/EXPERIENCED CELLAR HANDS

Key Tasks/Responsibilities/Experience

• You need to be able to lead, train and supervise a small team of people.
• This position requires a minimum of 3-4 vintages experience (no formal qualifications required).
• Perform routine tasks in the cellar and operate winery machinery.
• Have effective communication skills and be familiar with cellar operations.
• Ability to work 12 hours per day, 6 days per week (weekends included). Minimum of 30 hours per week guaranteed with a maximum of 72 hours per week during peak.
• You will make health and safety a priority and ensure all tasks are completed to a high standard and efficiency is maintained.

CELLAR HANDS

(Cellar or Lab Based)

Key Tasks/Responsibilities/Experience

• Previous winery experience would be an advantage, but not essential.
• Cellar Hands will perform tasks such as cleaning, grape receival processing, racking, red and white ferment management, additions, barrel work and more.
• Lab based Cellar Hands will conduct routine analysis on juice & wine samples as well as data entry; industry experience is preferred.
• Have effective communication skills.
• Ability to work 12 hours per day, 6 days per week (weekends included). Minimum of 30 hours per week guaranteed with a maximum of 72 hours per week during peak.
• You will make health and safety a priority and ensure all tasks are completed to a high standard and efficiency is maintained.

All applicants must be able to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test. Send your application including a cover letter and current CV with at least two referees via the link provided. Please indicate in your cover letter which position you are applying for as well as your visa/residency status. Apply at the link: https://jobs.lionco.com/job-invite/79880/

Applications close 5th of February 2026 unless filled beforehand.