2027 Harvest Season
Location: Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hermanus
Duration: Late January to March 2027 (negotiable)
About Bouchard Finlayson
At Bouchard Finlayson, excellence is the standard.
Situated in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Bouchard Finlayson is a boutique wine estate committed to producing wines of exceptional quality. Best known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the estate is guided by a culture of craftsmanship, accountability and continual improvement, with attention to detail at every stage of the winemaking process.
The Opportunity
Harvest is the culmination of a year's work in the vineyard and one of the most rewarding periods in the winemaking calendar. As a Harvest Intern at Bouchard Finlayson, you will gain hands-on experience across the winemaking process, working alongside an experienced team in a quality-focused, boutique environment.
This is an exceptional opportunity to develop practical skills, deepen your understanding of premium wine production, and contribute directly to the creation of the vintage. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about wine, eager to learn, and ready to embrace the pace and challenges of harvest.
Responsibilities include:
- Grape sampling and maturity analysis.
- Fruit receival, sorting and processing.
- Fermentation management and monitoring.
- Punch downs and pump overs.
- Press operations.
- Barrel work and wine movements.
- General cellar operations and harvest support activities.
- Cleaning and sanitising cellar equipment.
- Maintaining high standards of cellar hygiene, safety and housekeeping.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for individuals who demonstrate:
- A genuine passion for wine and winemaking.
- Strong attention to detail.
- A positive attitude and willingness to learn.
- The ability to work effectively within a team.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
- A strong work ethic and willingness to contribute wherever required.
Essential Requirements:
- Currently studying towards, or recently completed, a qualification in Viticulture / Oenology; alternatively, demonstrable harvest experience and a strong practical understanding of the winemaking process.
- Valid driver's licence and own transport.
- Valid South African passport, or the legal right to work in South Africa.
- Availability for the full harvest period.
- Willingness to work long and flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays.
- Ability to undertake physically demanding cellar work.
Advantageous:
- Previous harvest or cellar experience.
- Practical agricultural experience.
What You will Gain
- Practical exposure to all aspects of harvest and cellar operations.
- Experience working with premium cool-climate fruit.
- The opportunity to learn from an experienced and dedicated cellar team.
- Meaningful, hands-on involvement in all aspects of the harvest process.
- Exposure to premium wine production in one of South Africa's leading boutique wineries.
- Competitive harvest remuneration, overtime compensation and accommodation provided.
Applications
Please submit your CV and a brief motivation outlining your interest in the internship and future career aspirations to:
recruitment@bouchardfinlayson.co.za