Viticulturist
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
Printhie Wines
Orange, Blue Mountains & Central West,
NSW
ABOUT THE ROLE:
This is a special opportunity to work with the premium wine brand in the Orange Region.
Responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of the Printhie Wines vineyards your key strengths will include people management, financial acumen, cool climate viticultural expertise and hands-on operational experience. You will report directly to the Swift family management board and work closely with the winemaking team to ensure grape and wine quality specifications are met within set budgets. A priority goal will be achieving Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) certification for the Printhie Wines vineyards. You will be responsible for managing three estate vineyards, two leased vineyards and contracted growers across multiple sites. The vineyard locations span nearly 400 metres in elevation requiring a diverse vineyard management system.
You will be tasked with:
- Preparing annual vineyard management plans and regular reporting for consultation with management and winemakers to achieve agreed yield and quality outcomes
- Developing, delivering and leading viticultural best practice with a hands on approach to key vineyard tasks
- Building strong working relationships while managing cost and work quality of vineyard contractors
- Ensuring all plans are communicated, readily accessible to relevant stakeholders and actioned accordingly
- Developing annual operational and capex budgets and long-term forecasts
- Attending relevant workshops, field days and conferences
- Implementing and managing Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) certification for the Printhie Wines vineyards
- Ensuring efficient use, maintenance and care of all plant and machinery
- Providing safe working conditions for all staff and contractors as per WH&S regulations.
- Conducting vineyard tours, where required, to demonstrate a high level of brand ambassadorship
- Collaborating with other senior managers on strategy development and key activities for the business
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
You have a degree qualification in Viticulture and want to be responsible for designing, implementing and creating a sustainable future for vineyards under your care. You are results driven and budget focussed with a keen appreciation for premiumisation. Whilst thinking strategically you enjoy the hands-on nature of viticulture and jump on every opportunity to represent and promote the brand professionally. You proactively collaborate with senior managers yet work efficiently alone. A family orientated, authentic and supportive workplace is where you thrive.
- Degree qualification in Viticulture
- Experience in cool climate viticulture but not essential
- Excellent communication and time-management skills
- Ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team
- A willingness to relocate to Orange, NSW
- RSA Certificate
- Driver’s licence
- Heavy vehicle drivers’ licence beneficial
- Forklift licence
- Chemical user ticket
- Mechanically minded
- Have the right to work in Australia
BENEFITS
- Senior leadership role reporting directly to the Swift family management board within the Printhie Wines business
- Employee benefits across all aspects of the business
- Live and work in a beautiful cool climate region that offers diversity and opportunities for the whole family
- Ability to direct and develop the sustainable future of premium vineyards
- Ongoing skill development opportunities
ABOUT ORANGE:
Orange is located 3.5hrs from Sydney with direct flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. A cosmopolitan city, Orange offers boutique accommodation, high-end retail, quality schools and a thriving food and wine scene. It has a new hospital which is the medical hub for the Central West and several government departments have head offices in the town. The area is experiencing tourism growth with many visitors discovering the quality of cool climate wines produced in the region. Orange is known for beautiful autumn colours, cool summers and snow in winter.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Owned by the Swift family, Printhie Wines is one of 26 members of the Ultimate Winery Experiences Group of Australia (only four are located in NSW) and is a 5-star rated Halliday winery (for 12 years). Printhie handcrafts the Swift Sparkling range which is now considered one of Australia's best and was crowned Best Australian Sparkling at the 2022 Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships in London. It has also been awarded Best Sparkling in NSW for the last five consecutive years, a first for any category in the history of the NSW Wine Awards. Printhie has recently opened an award winning architecturally designed new cellar door and fine-dining restaurant providing premium experiences for customers.
How To Apply
Please apply with a cover letter and current CV.
