Senior Vineyard Manager – Western Cape Wines

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 850,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site residence

Medical aid

Retirement fund contribution

Generous annual leave

Wine-tasting events

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Farm Manager to lead viticulture operations near Cape Town, Western Cape. The role requires managing all vineyard activities, developing annual plans, and guiding a team of vineyard workers to achieve high-quality grape yield.

This hands-on position emphasizes technical vineyard expertise, strategic planning, and strong people management, with on-site responsibilities in a premium wine estate environment.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Viticulture, Horticulture, Agriculture or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years managing vineyards in large-scale operations.
• Knowledge of Western Cape grape varietals and soils is preferred.
• Proven leadership and ability to motivate diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all vineyard operations including planting, pruning, trellising, irrigation, and pest/disease control.
• Develop and implement annual vineyard management plans and budgets.
• Supervise and train vineyard workers, ensuring safety and productivity.
• Monitor grape growth, maturity and quality, coordinate harvest timing.
• Optimize water usage and vine health through irrigation oversight.
• Apply fertilizers based on soil/leaf analyses and maintain records.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with winemakers to meet varietal requirements for wine production.
• Maintain accurate records of labour, materials and yields; manage equipment upkeep.
• Make sound operational decisions and work on-site independently when needed.

Skills

Team leadership

Vineyard management

Grape cultivation expertise

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Viticulture/Horticulture/Agriculture

Tools

Irrigation systems

Vineyard machinery

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Farm Manager to lead viticulture operations near Cape Town, Western Cape. The role requires managing all vineyard activities, developing annual plans, and guiding a team of vineyard workers to achieve high-quality grape yield.

This hands-on position emphasizes technical vineyard expertise, strategic planning, and strong people management, with on-site responsibilities in a premium wine estate environment.