Winemaker

A full facility winery with a 15ha vineyard between Tonbridge and Maidstone. Redhill Farm Estate (RFE) supplies contract winemaking and vineyard services as well as produces its own label award-winning sustainable wines. RFE is looking for a Winemaker to join our growing team. We have exciting plans for our future – you may have seen our wines on Gordon Ramsey’s BBC series Future Food Stars and with Michelin chefs on our social media.

As Winemaker you will work in the winery to help craft creative and delicious wines, both traditional sparkling as well as more hip and trendy still wines, and in the vineyard with our team to ensure we harvest the best grapes.

This role will involve supporting the whole winemaking process, from harvest to bottle, keeping bottling, disgorging and labelling up to speed. The ideal candidate will be competent in winemaking tasks including filtering, lab work, disgorging and associated hygiene.

You should be passionate and focused on quality with an understanding of wine regulations, record keeping and health and safety.

As a small business, we each wear many hats depending on the business needs over the course of the year. You will also spend time on vineyard tasks, sales fulfilment, assisting with logistics, events, tastings and tours for the public and trade.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leading daily operations in the winery and production cellar for all wines
• Regular maintenance and cleaning of machines
• Owning riddling and disgorging schedules
• Labelling and packaging of finished goods
• Maintaining required records
• Assisting with vineyard management and maintenance tasks
• Hold a vineyard/winery tour once a month
• Other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 2-years’ training in recognised program
• Must have had experience in other wineries / vineyards
• A high level of Health and Safety awareness
• Forklift qualification would be ideal
• Right to work in the UK
• Full driving licence essential

REMUNERATION & BENEFITS:

• Competitive pay based on a 40 to 48 hour week (4.5 to 5 working days)
• Wine allowance
• “The next barrel”: A barrel side hustle where the winemaker has full control
• Training, professional development and the ability to attend industry events will be supported
• Birthday off (if on a weekday) in addition to statutory allowance
• On site accommodation available
• Access to car pool possible
• Discretionary bonus
• Staff room with refreshments
• Private health and wellness benefits