Our client is a well-established wine estate situated in the heart of the Overberg. Renowned for producing wines that express the unique character of their terroir, they are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Winemaker & Viticulturist to join their Senior Management team.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic wine professional to lead all aspects of the winemaking operations, while working closely with the vineyard team to ensure the continued production of exceptional wines and the ongoing growth of the brand.
Key responsibilities will include:
Winemaking: Lead, plan and execute all aspects of the winemaking process, ensuring the highest standards of quality from grape intake through to final blend and bottling.
Viticultural Collaboration: Apply a strong viticultural background to work closely with the vineyard and viticulture teams, aligning vineyard practices, harvest timing and fruit quality with the estate’s wine style and production goals.
Production: Coordinate and oversee winery production, ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness and consistency across all wine programmes.
Cellar Team Management: Supervise, mentor and train the cellar team, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
Quality Control: Implement and maintain rigorous quality control procedures throughout the winemaking process.
Administration: Manage and oversee all relevant winery administration, including accurate record-keeping, compliance documentation and SAWIS administration.
Strategic Input: Collaborate with the Managing Director and other senior leaders to develop and implement strategies for continuous improvement and growth.
Representation: Represent the wine estate at wine tastings, trade events, industry functions and promotional activities when required.
All other tasks related to the role.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience:
- Minimum of 5 years’ winemaking experience, with a proven track record of producing high-quality wines;
- Degree or diploma in Oenology and Viticulture;
- Strong leadership and team management skills;
- In-depth knowledge of winemaking techniques and industry best practices;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
- Willingness to travel and host wine tastings and promotions.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will be a passionate, quality-driven wine professional who combines technical excellence with strong leadership skills. They will be hands-on, collaborative and commercially minded, with a genuine enthusiasm for producing wines that reflect the unique character of the Overberg.
Please send your application with CV no later than 30 July 2026 to admin@unihold.co.za
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.