Jakkalsvlei Private Cellar, a family owned winery nestled in the beautiful Garden Route is looking for a Winemaker Assistant to join their dynamic team. The successful candidate has strong leadership skills and team management abilities, coupled with excellent organizational and communication skills.
Responsibilities will include (but not be limited to):
• Vintage Operations Support: Support harvest planning and coordination; Supervise grape intake and fermentation; Maintain accurate vintage records;
• Cellar Management: Oversee racking, blending, filtering, barrel work; Enforce hygiene and sanitation standards; Train and supervise cellar staff;
• Fermentation and Maturation Monitoring: Monitor fermentations and wine development; Conduct lab tests (sugar, pH, SO?, etc.); Track barrel aging and topping;
• Blending and Bottling: Assist with blending trials; Prepare wines for bottling;
• Quality Control and Compliance: Conduct sensory evaluations; Ensure regulatory and protocol compliance; Maintain winemaking records (IPW, SAWIS, etc.);
• Equipment and Maintenance Management: Schedule equipment servicing; Keep maintenance logs and coordinate repairs;
• Inventory and Supplies Oversight: Manage stock levels and ordering; Ensure cellar and lab supplies are maintained;
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate with vineyard, logistics, and sales teams as needed; Represent the winery during tastings, technical meetings, and trade events when required;
• All other tasks related to the role.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience:
• Degree/Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology, or similar qualification;
• Minimum 2-4 years’ cellar or winemaking experience;
• Knowledge of South African wine legislation and export standards;
• Ability to work extended hours during harvest, as needed;
• Forklift license/experience will be advantageous;
• Own reliable transport;
Commencement Date: Ideally 1 November 2025.
To apply, e-mail your updated CV with references directly to winemaker@jakkalsvlei.co.za before 09:00 on 17 October 2025.
For general enquiries, contact our team at M3 Human Capital Management on 021 863 1444.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates are contacted. If you don’t hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.