Senior Viticulturist - Wine Estates

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary tied to performance

Health & retirement cover

Generous annual leave & holidays

Travel opportunities to industryevents

Access to research facilities

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch seeks a Senior Viticulturist to lead vineyard operations, directing strategic planning and day-to-day management for premium grape production. You will work closely with winemakers and estate management to ensure top quality and healthy vines.

The role emphasizes strong leadership, deep viticulture knowledge, and data-driven decisions to optimize yield and grape quality, with opportunities for international travel to industry events.

Qualifications

• Masters/PhD in Viticulture, Agronomy, Soil Science or closely related field.
• 10+ years progressive vineyard management experience in high-quality wine production.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term strategic plans for vineyard development and block planning.
• Oversee canopy management, irrigation, nutrition, and pest/disease control for premium quality grapes.
• Implement sustainable viticulture practices including cover crops and water conservation.
• Manage vineyard staff with training, supervision and safety compliance.
• Collaborate with winemaking to meet grape quality and ripeness targets.
• Conduct trials evaluating clones, rootstocks and vineyard tech to boost quality and resilience.

Skills

Vineyard Management

Strategic Planning

Team Leadership

Data Analysis

Viticulture Expertise

Education

Master's or PhD in Viticulture / Agronomy / Soil Science

Tools

GIS

Soil Analysis Software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious wine estate in the heart of the Cape Winelands , is seeking a highly experienced Senior Viticulturist to lead their vineyard operations in Stellenbosch . This senior position requires a deep understanding of viticulture, soil science, and sustainable winegrowing practices to produce exceptional grapes for world-class wines. You will be responsible for the strategic planning, management, and optimization of all vineyard activities, ensuring the highest standards of quality and yield. The role involves extensive fieldwork, data analysis, and collaboration with winemakers and estate management to achieve optimal grape quality and vineyard health.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute long-term strategic plans for vineyard development, including varietal selection, block planning, and clonal research.
• Oversee all aspects of vineyard management, including canopy management, irrigation, nutrition, and pest/disease control, focusing on premium quality grape production.
• Implement and refine sustainable viticulture practices, such as cover cropping, water conservation, and minimal intervention.
• Manage vineyard staff, including training, supervision, and performance management, ensuring adherence to safety protocols.
• Collaborate closely with the winemaking team to understand grape quality requirements and deliver grapes at peak ripeness and chemical balance.
• Conduct research trials to evaluate new clones, rootstocks, and vineyard technologies to enhance grape quality and resilience.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Viticulture, Agronomy, Soil Science, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in vineyard management, preferably within a high-quality wine production environment.
• In-depth knowledge of grapevine physiology, pathology, and soil-vine interactions.
• Demonstrated experience with precision viticulture techniques and vineyard data analysis.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage diverse teams.
• Strong understanding of wine market trends and consumer preferences related to grape quality.

Benefits

• Exceptional salary and bonus structure tied to grape quality and yield performance.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and life insurance benefits.
• Generous annual leave and paid holidays.
• Opportunities for international travel to wine industry events and conferences.
• Access to state-of-the‑art research facilities and winemaking expertise at the estate in Stellenbosch .