Sustainable Vineyards Horticulturist — Cape Town On-site

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 620,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Annual bonus

WSET courses

Professional development

State-of-the-art equipment

Beautiful setting

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a dedicated Horticulturalist to manage extensive vineyards in the Western Cape, Cape Town region. You will drive all horticultural practices from soil health to canopy management, ensuring premium grape production in a sustainable framework.

The role requires a hands-on leader with at least 5 years of commercial vineyard experience, strong IPM and organic principles, and proficiency with vineyard software and precision ag tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Viticulture, Plant Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on vineyard management experience.
• Knowledge of Western Cape grape varieties and winemaking.
• IPM and organic farming principles.
• Proficiency with vineyard management software and precision ag tools.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily vineyard operations: pruning, training, irrigation, fertilization, pest/disease control.
• Implement sustainable viticultural practices to improve grape quality.
• Conduct soil and tissue analysis to inform nutrient and water management.
• Oversee selection and planting of new vines and varietal placement.
• Monitor growth, fruit development, and maturity; provide yield predictions.
• Coordinate with winery staff for timely harvest based on ripeness.
• Manage vineyard staff; provide training and supervision.
• Maintain records of vineyard activities, inputs, and observations.
• Ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
• Research and propose techniques to improve resilience and productivity.

Skills

IPM knowledge

Organic farming

Vineyard management

Team leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture/Viticulture/Plant Science

Tools

Vineyard management software

Precision agriculture tools

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a dedicated Horticulturalist to manage extensive vineyards in the Western Cape, Cape Town region. You will drive all horticultural practices from soil health to canopy management, ensuring premium grape production in a sustainable framework.

The role requires a hands-on leader with at least 5 years of commercial vineyard experience, strong IPM and organic principles, and proficiency with vineyard software and precision ag tools.