Junior Viticulturist & Winemaker

wine.co.za; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Kleine Zalze Wines is seeking a Junior Viticulturist & Winemaker to join our winemaking team, spanning vineyard and cellar duties. You will source grapes, guide growers, and help turn harvest into premium wine while ensuring adherence to company policies and quality standards.

Reporting to the Cellarmaster, you will travel to producers, plan grape intake, monitor ripeness, assist with cellar operations, and participate in blending and tasting with senior winemakers to shape our premium ranges.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 and a B.Sc. Agric in Viticulture and Oenology.
• 3–5 years in winegrape production or winemaking.
• Hands-on cellar experience from harvest to finished wine.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Willingness to travel and attend tastings.

Responsibilities

• Build strong, trusting relationships with producers and give feedback on grape performance.
• Visit producers during the season, advising on vineyard practices to achieve quality grape production.
• Schedule and plan grape intake during harvest, and monitor and sample ripeness.
• Use vineyard knowledge to inform picking dates, cellar treatment and wine style.
• Assist with winemaking and cellar operations, from grape intake to finished wine.
• Taste, assess and blend wines with the Cellarmaster and the senior winemaker.
• Keep accurate viticulture and cellar records.
• Maintain cellar compliance, hygiene, safety and certification standards.

Skills

Viticulture knowledge

Winemaking experience

Communication skills

Negotiation

Harvest planning

Education

B.Sc. Agric in Viticulture and Oenology

Tools

WineMS

Job description

Kleine Zalze Wines is looking for a Junior Viticulturist & Winemaker to join our winemaking team. This is a rare opportunity to work across both the vineyard and the cellar, helping to source, grow and guide grapes into wine for our premium and ultra-premium ranges.**About the role**Reporting to the Cellarmaster, you will source and buy suitable grapes at the right price point, work closely with our producers through the season, and help turn those grapes into finished wine. You will also make sure producers comply with our company policies and procedures.**Key responsibilities*** Build strong, trusting relationships with producers and give feedback on grape performance* Visit producers during the season, advising on vineyard practices to achieve quality grape production* Schedule and plan grape intake during harvest, and monitor and sample ripeness* Use vineyard knowledge to inform picking dates, cellar treatment and wine style* Assist with winemaking and cellar operations, from grape intake to finished wine* Taste, assess and blend wines with the Cellarmaster and the senior winemaker* Keep accurate viticulture and cellar records* Maintain cellar compliance, hygiene, safety and certification standards (e.g. WO Seal, IPW, WIETA, BSCI)**What we are looking for*** Grade 12 and a B.Sc. Agric in Viticulture and Oenology (Winemaking)* 3 to 5 years' experience in a winegrape production and/or winemaking environment* Hands-on cellar experience, from harvest intake to finished wine* Excellent people and communication skills, with the ability to build lasting relationships* Strong negotiation skills* Willingness to travel and attend wine tastings and wine shows* Experience with WineMS is advantageous**How to apply**Please send your CV to [e-mail] by 20 October 2026. If you have not heard from us within 20 working days of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.