Assistant Winemaker

wine.co.za; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 260,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

Merwida Winery in the Breede River Valley near Rawsonville invites applicants for an Assistant Winemaker to support the cellar team. The role blends practical winemaking with technical oversight under the Winemaker, ensuring high quality and food safety in a fast-paced cellar.

Reporting to the Senior Winemaker, the candidate will handle harvest coordination, cellar operations, staff management and compliance with standards like FSSC22000, ISO, HACCP, BRC, IPW, SAWIS and WIETA.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

Winemaking knowledge

Harvest coordination

Quality management

Food safety

MS Office / SAWIS

Team leadership

Education

Viticulture & Oenology qualification

Tools

WineMS

SAWIS

Job description

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 note that only shortlisted candidates are contacted. If no feedback is received within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.