Viticulturist

KWV; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 450,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

KWV in Paarl is seeking an emerging viticulture professional to support the Chief Viticulturist in sourcing grapes and planning harvests to meet production targets. You will balance quality, volume and cost while upholding KWV standards in a dynamic vineyard environment.

The role involves technical guidance to growers, vineyard data management, supplier relationship development and cross-functional collaboration with winemaking and operations.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Viticulture & Oenology.
• 3–5 years' viticulture and wine procurement experience in a large organization advantageous.
• Knowledge of soils, terroir and their impact on wine quality.
• Familiarity with quality management systems, food safety and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Support growers with technical guidance and engagement.
• Assist sourcing grapes to meet production needs.
• Monitor grape quality from vineyard to intake.
• Manage vineyard sampling schedules and data capture.
• Collaborate with winemakers on intake scheduling and harvest planning.
• Oversee grape contracting and intake admin.
• Ensure supplier compliance to KWV standards and accreditations.
• Promote sustainable and cost-effective vineyard practices.

Skills

Grape procurement

Analytical thinking

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

SAP experience

Reporting & presentation

Sensory evaluation

Travel flexibility

Viticulture knowledge

Education

Viticulture & Oenology qualification

Tools

SAP

Job description

Job Grade: 8

Department: Wine Cellar

Reporting to: Chief Viticulturist

Division: Operations

Location: Paarl Operations

Purpose:

The appointed individual will support the Chief Viticulturist in sourcing and procuring grapes to meet KWV’s production targets, ensuring an optimal balance between quality, volume, and cost in alignment with KWV standards

The incumbent will provide technical guidance to growers, support vineyard management and harvest planning, manage viticulture information systems, and nurture long-term supplier relationships while professionally representing KWV across the industry

This role is ideal for an emerging viticulture professional who is looking to build on their technical foundation while developing commercial acumen and stakeholder management skills.

Minimum Requirements:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Viticulture & Oenology.
• 3–5 years' experience in viticulture and wine procurement, within a large organization would be ideal/advantageous.
• Technical knowledge of vineyards, soils, terroir and their impact on wine quality.
• Familiarity with quality management systems, food safety standards and sustainability requirements.
• Strong analytical, strategic and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Computer literacy, with SAP experience being advantageous.
• Well-developed reporting and presentation skills.
• Well-developed sensory (taste and smell) assessment skills for evaluating grape and wine quality.
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel extensively.
• Physically able to work in vineyards, including walking on uneven terrain and spending extended periods outdoors.

Key Responsibilities:

Grape Supply Management:

• Support growers through technical guidance and regular engagement.
• Support the sourcing of grapes to ensure production requirements are met
• Monitor and manage grape quality from vineyards through to intake.
• Manage vineyard sample schedules and data capture while ensuring sampling accuracy
• Collaborate with winemakers to plan and execute grape intake schedule and harvest planning
• Manage all administrative activities relating to grape contracting and intake.
• Monitor supplier compliance to KWV standards and 3rd party accreditations

Technical Vineyard Management:

• Execute KWV’s vineyards management practices under guidance from the Chief Viticulturist
• Manage information systems and technology applications for viticulture and vineyards.
• Promote sustainable and cost-effective vineyard management practices that optimise grape quality.

Compliance & Sustainability:

• Ensure ethical sourcing practices and identify any potential non-compliance.
• Ensure compliance with Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), ethical (WIETA and BSCI) standards as well as monitor adherence to environmental, food safety and Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) standards

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain effective relationships with grape growers.
• Cultivate cross-functional partnerships across Operations—including Winemaking and Supply Chain—as well as Sales and Marketing to drive shared objectives.
• Represent KWV professionally through the support the Sales & Marketing teams by participating in wine tastings, industry forums and customer engagements.

Preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates from underrepresented groups aligned with our Employment Equity Plan.

Closing date: 19 October 2026