Horticulturist - Commercial Vineyards

Placements24; Mossel Bay; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing or housing allowance

Comprehensive health insurance

WSET wine education

Bonus potential based on grape quality

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Horticulturist to manage commercial vineyards in Mossel Bay, Western Cape. You will guide soil preparation, planting, canopy management, and harvest to produce high-quality grapes for the wine industry, applying viticulture techniques with a focus on sustainability.

Based on field operations, you will supervise pruning, trellising, irrigation, disease and pest control, harvest timing, and data recording, collaborating with the vineyard team to optimize

Qualifications

• Degree in Horticulture, Viticulture, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in commercial vineyard management.
• Strong understanding of grapevine physiology, pest and disease management, and irrigation techniques.
• Ability to work in a team and manage seasonal labor.
• Proficiency in vineyard mapping and data recording software is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute detailed vineyard management plans, including pruning, trellising, and shoot thinning.
• Monitor vine health, identify diseases and pests, and implement appropriate control measures using IPM strategies.
• Manage irrigation systems to ensure optimal water delivery based on vine needs and environmental conditions.
• Oversee harvesting operations, ensuring grapes are picked at the optimal stage of maturity and handled with care.
• Conduct soil and tissue analysis to inform nutrient management programs.
• Maintain detailed records of vineyard activities, inputs, yields, and grape quality metrics.

Skills

Vineyard management

IPM knowledge

Irrigation management

Team coordination

Harvest coordination

Education

Degree in Horticulture/Viticulture/Agronomy

Tools

Vineyard mapping software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and passionate Horticulturist to manage their expanding commercial vineyards in the scenic region of Mossel Bay . This critical role involves overseeing all aspects of grape cultivation, from soil preparation and planting to canopy management and harvesting, with a focus on producing high-quality grapes for the wine industry. You will apply your expertise in viticulture to optimize vineyard health, yield, and grape quality while adhering to sustainable practices. This is an on-site position requiring direct interaction with the vineyard and farm operations team in the Western Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute detailed vineyard management plans, including pruning, trellising, and shoot thinning.
• Monitor vine health, identify diseases and pests, and implement appropriate control measures using integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
• Manage irrigation systems to ensure optimal water delivery based on vine needs and environmental conditions.
• Oversee harvesting operations, ensuring grapes are picked at the optimal stage of maturity and handled with care.
• Conduct soil and tissue analysis to inform nutrient management programs.
• Maintain detailed records of vineyard activities, inputs, yields, and grape quality metrics.

Requirements

• Degree in Horticulture, Viticulture, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in commercial vineyard management.
• Strong understanding of grapevine physiology, pest and disease management, and irrigation techniques.
• Familiarity with different grape varietals and their specific cultivation requirements.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and manage seasonal labor.
• Proficiency in vineyard mapping and data recording software is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and potential for bonuses based on grape quality and yield.
• Provision of housing or a housing allowance.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Opportunities for professional development and WSET wine education.
• A dynamic work environment within a renowned wine-producing region near Mossel Bay .