Assistant Winemaker

wine.co.za; Rawsonville; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Merwida Winery in the Breede River Valley near Rawsonville is seeking an Assistant Winemaker to join the cellar team. You will work closely with the Winemaker, supporting all cellar operations in a fast-paced environment.

The role focuses on winemaking processes, harvest coordination, quality compliance (FSSC22000, ISO, HACCP, BRC), and adherence to accreditations (IPW, SAWIS) and WIETA audits. You will manage inventory and ensure safety and hygiene across the cellar.

Qualifications

• A relevant qualification in Viticulture and Oenology.
• 3–5 years' production cellar experience.
• Sound knowledge of cellar operations and winemaking processes.
• Good understanding of food safety and quality management systems.
• Proficiency with WineMS, SAWIS and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the winemaking process as part of the cellar team.
• Coordinate harvest activities and cellar operations.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards (FSSC22000, ISO, HACCP, BRC) and accreditations (IPW, SAWIS).
• Support inventory management and product administration.
• Maintain cellar hygiene, health & safety standards and equipment maintenance.
• Assist with cellar staff management and other related tasks.

Skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Cellar operations knowledge

Food safety knowledge

Computer literacy

Education

Viticulture and Oenology qualification

Tools

WineMS

SAWIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

# Assistant WinemakerThursday, 10 September, 2026anonymousRawsonville***Merwida Winery, situated in the Breede River Valley near Rawsonville***, has an exciting opportunity available for an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Winemaker to join their cellar team.This role is ideal for a passionate individual who enjoys both the practical and technical aspects of winemaking and thrives in a fast-paced cellar environment. The successful candidate will work closely with the Winemaker to support all cellar operations while maintaining high quality and food safety standards.The successful candidate will report to the Senior Winemaker and will be responsible for (but not limited to): \\*Winemaking process as part of the winemaking team \\*Coordination of harvest activities \\*Ensuring compliance with relevant quality standards (FSSC22000, ISO, HACCP, BRC), accreditations / certifications (IPW, SAWIS), and ethical audits (WIETA) \\*Inventory management and product administration \\*Cellar hygiene and health & safety requirements \\*Assist with general cellar machinery and maintenance \\*Cellar staff management \\*All other tasks related to the position.**Essential qualifications, skills and experience:*** A relevant qualification in Viticulture and Oenology;* 3–5 years' production cellar experience;* Sound knowledge of cellar operations and winemaking processes;* Good understanding of food safety and quality management systems;* Computer literacy, including MS Office, WineMS and SAWIS;* Knowledge of cellar maintenance and machinery will be beneficial;* Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to work effectively within a team.**Please apply online at www.m3online.co.za before 09:00 on 14 September 2026.**