Junior Viticulturist & Winemaker

Dante Personnel; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Dante Personnel seeks a senior viticulture procurement professional to manage grape and bulk wine sourcing. You will contract new and existing supply agreements, negotiate pricing with producers, and lead third-party sourcing in line with the group’s strategy.

A hands-on, field-based approach with growers is essential. You'll provide ongoing viticultural guidance, coordinate harvest planning, and maintain accurate records while supporting ESG commitments and sustainability standards across the

Qualifications

• Grade 12 plus a B.Sc Agric in Viticulture and Winemaking.
• Strong negotiation skills and commercial acumen.
• Excellent relationship-building ability.
• Hands-on field-based approach with producers.

Responsibilities

• Contract new and existing grape and bulk wine supply agreements.
• Lead third-party bulk wine sourcing aligned with sourcing strategy.
• Provide viticultural guidance and technical support to producers.
• Coordinate harvest scheduling and grape intake planning across facilities.
• Monitor ripeness levels during harvest to support quality control.
• Maintain records of production, costs, producer information and traceability.

Education

B.Sc Agric in Viticulture and Winemaking

Job description

Minimum requirements:

• Grade 12 plus a B.Sc Agric in Viticulture and Winemaking
• At least 10 years' experience in a senior winegrape production role
• 5–7 years' experience working directly with grape producers and contracting winegrapes
• Local and international exposure to winegrape production trends and practices
• Strong negotiation skills and commercial acumen, balanced with genuine relationship-building ability
• A hands-on, field-based approach — comfortable spending regular time with producers throughout the season
• Contract new and existing grape and bulk wine supply agreements each year, aligned with group vineyard and costing strategy and based on availability of bulk wine within in the group
• Negotiate annual grape pricing with producers, in conjunction with the head of grape procurement, within budget and strategy
• Lead third-party bulk wine sourcing in line with company sourcing strategy
• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with growers, providing regular feedback on grape performance
• Provide ongoing viticultural guidance and technical support to producers throughout the growing season
• Coordinate harvest scheduling and grape intake planning across
  production facilities for accurate, reliable forecasting
• Monitor and sample ripeness levels during harvest to support quality control and timely decision-making
• Maintain accurate records of production, costs, producer information, and traceability data
• Support certification and compliance with external sustainability standards
  (e.g. IPW, WIETA, BSCI) in line with ASA's ESG goals
• Participate actively in the CAV forum, sharing insights and best practice across the viticulture team