VINEYARD MANAGER

Hello everyone we are seeking out a New

Vineyard Manager for Eastern Peake & LATTAvino

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a vineyard manager to join our dedicated team,
we are seeking out a person for full time work, with great experience in vineyard management - Ideally with experience from a cool climate background and a passion for organic viticulture. The ability to work within a small team, working closely with Owen & the crew, coordination of labour, support to our growers, passionate about Poussard pruning, sap flow & shoot thinning, attention to detail in the operation of machinery, equipment & tractors, pest and disease management/prevention, soil & vine health management systems, exceptional
communication skills & work ethic, The ability to step into the cellar throughout the year.
All applicants must have an Australian citizenship/ residency or a valid existing
Australian work visa.
Please share if you know of anyone who could be suited to this role, thanks advance.

Eastern Peake was established in 1983 by the Latta family, the business is a small family run operation guided by Second Generation Vigneron Owen Latta. Two wine labels are produced on site - Eastern Peake (Estate grown vineyards) & Latta vino (Negotiant - contract growers in Western & Central Victoria).

Eastern Peake is located at Coghills Creek 25km northwest of Ballarat Victoria. We produce ultra cool climate Pinot Noir & Chardonnay, Organic practices are used on our own sites of 16 acres plus 10 acres in conversion of neighbouring vineyards. 7 acres of new plantings of Chardonnay & Pinot Noir have been recently been planted to bolster our fruit supply going into the future.

Latta vino has been built on the strong relationships of long term grape growers with unique vineyard sites across western & Central Victoria. These sites enable the production of complex, interesting, fine & fun wines that speak of place & the growers highlighting the wines via a careful hand in the cellar.

Eastern Peake now over 40 years old & Latta being in production for over a decade. It couldn’t be more of an exciting time, the vineyards are delivering such exceptional quality fruit, lots different toys to run the vineyard & the press/reviews we’ve received from near & abroad has been really quite incredible. We’re really looking forward to welcoming someone into our team to share this passion & show that this address is one of the most fascinating wine producing addresses in Australia.

Job Requirements:

* A high level of cane pruning experience using & understanding the Guyot Poussard methodology (or Simonit & Sirch)
* Great Leadership, verbal communication & problem solving skills
* Tractor driving & Operation
* Experience with under vine cultivation & mowing (Clemens sb2 knife & tiller/ multi cleaner)
* The flexibility of working some occasional longer hours throughout the growing season & during harvest.
* Attention to detail
* Self-motivated , energetic & the ability to work autonomously.
* Operation, calibration, maintenance & cleanliness of machinery & equipment.
* Understanding the importance of Shoot Thinning
* Experience with Fendt TMS operations is a benefit
* Valid licences for car & forklift
* Pruning, shoot thinning, Vine training, Planting, Trellising, Irrigation works, canopy management
* Supervision of permanent, casual and contract labour
* Keeping records/vineyard data entry through our systems - vinsight
* A commitment to Workplace Health & Safety
* Soil health input’s, Planing of planting cover crops, bio preps, sprays & teas.
* Implementing Spray programs to follow the season.
* Vineyard monitoring/analysis
* Physically fit & able to safely lift, bend, reach, etc and work with repetitive tasks
* A Chemical Handling certificate would be advantageous

Perks of the Job

* Highly positive team environment.
* Passionate long term Family business
* Delicious Morning Tea home baked goods provided every day
* Lots of great equipment to work with to grow really good grapes.
* Working with vineyard blocks ranging from 42 - 2 years of age
* Rarely many late nights over vintage or throughout the year.
* Winery trips to other producers & growers/Training days etc with viticulturist consultant Tim Brown.
* Inclusive cross over between the vineyard & winery (the philosophy of great wines always start in the vineyard)
* Wine appreciation during lunch breaks.