On-site Vineyard Operations & Viticulture Lead

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation on or near the estate

Health insurance

Professional development opportunities

Paid annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 represents a renowned wine estate in KwaZulu-Natal seeking a skilled Viticulturist to manage expansive vineyards on site. You will oversee soil prep, canopy management, irrigation, pest control and harvest planning to ensure top quality grapes for award-winning wines.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s or master’s in viticulture, 5+ years of vineyard experience, strong leadership and communication skills, and hands-on ability with vineyard management software.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in viticulture or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in vineyard management.
• Strong knowledge of grape physiology, soil science and pest management.
• Proven experience managing vineyard labor and operations.
• Excellent leadership, communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual vineyard plans (pruning, canopy management, crop thinning).
• Monitor vine health, soil and pest/disease pressures with appropriate actions.
• Manage irrigation to optimize water status and grape quality.
• Oversee planting, trellising, weed control and fertilizer application.
• Supervise and train vineyard staff for safe, efficient work.
• Manage vineyard budget including labour, materials and equipment.
• Coordinate harvesting with the winemaking team for optimal maturity.
• Maintain records of yields, treatments and observations.
• Practice sustainable, environmentally friendly vineyard methods.
• Research new varietals and clones suitable for local terroir.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Vineyard management software

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Viticulture, Horticulture, Agronomy, or related field

Tools

Vineyard software/tools

Job description

Placements24 represents a renowned wine estate in KwaZulu-Natal seeking a skilled Viticulturist to manage expansive vineyards on site. You will oversee soil prep, canopy management, irrigation, pest control and harvest planning to ensure top quality grapes for award-winning wines.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s or master’s in viticulture, 5+ years of vineyard experience, strong leadership and communication skills, and hands-on ability with vineyard management software.