Vineyard Manager

Langmeil Winery, owned and operated by the Lindner family, is home to what is believed to be the world’s oldest surviving Shiraz vineyard, The Freedom 1843. Langmeil Winery is ranked #18 in The Real Review’s Top Wineries of Australia 2023 and a five-star-rated winery in the Halliday Wine Companion 2023.

A rare opportunity has arisen for a hands-on Vineyard Manager to join our close-knit team in Tanunda, South Australia, for the 30 hectares of estate vineyards in Lyndoch, Tanunda and Flaxman Valley. Varieties include Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Shiraz.

We require a passionate, collaborative, focused individual to execute, manage and oversee vineyard operations.

The role’s primary objective is to ensure Langmeil Winery’s vineyards produce the highest quality fruit. The Vineyard Manager will perform duties and supervise contractors to deliver the company’s viticultural objectives.

Reporting to the Director of Winemaking, the accountabilities will include hands-on vineyard work, delivering current operational plans and assisting with forward planning and budget management for the estate vineyards.

We aim for an enjoyable and rewarding work team environment and expect all staff to contribute positively to its achievement.

Role responsibilities include:

- Establishing vineyard work programs to achieve targeted outcomes
- Accountability for vine health and status monitoring, crop estimates, pest and disease management, and irrigation monitoring and scheduling
- Supervising and performing manual and mechanical operations, including spraying, trimming, under-vine and mid-row management, pruning, trellis and irrigation repairs
- Performing, managing, and communicating preventative maintenance programs for all plant, equipment and vineyards
- Managing agreed operational and capital budgets, procurement and supplier invoice approval
- Ensuring OH&S compliance, management of SOPs and other documentation for all operations, training of staff in safe work practices
- Helping set targets for yield and quality in line with company requirements
- Developing and implementing plans for vineyard development and renewal
- Management of membership (and eventual certification) of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia
- Maintaining required documentation, including spray diaries, work programs, monitoring records, yield and maturity estimates, harvest data, soil and tissue tests
- Liaising with external picking and pruning contractors

Job Requirements
- A tertiary qualification in viticulture or horticulture would be beneficial
- A minimum of five years of experience in vineyard management, ideally including old vines
- Experience in Sustainable Winegrowing Australia programs
- Good communication skills
- Ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team
- Current driver's, forklift and heavy vehicle licences
- Accredited chemical user training, e.g. ChemCERT
- Commercial acumen with an ability to think strategically
- Attention to detail, great people management skills and proactive thinker
- Ability to represent Langmeil Winery at relevant industry and business events

Applicants must have the right to work in Australia.