We are looking to hire two new apprentices to join us at our vineyard. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a boutique -award winning-sustainable winery with vine to bottle production. Exposure to variety of work with responsibility and great benefits.
As this is an apprenticeship, you will attend Plumpton College for your learning through block release, where you will study for a week at a time (5 times throughout the year).
Hours: 37.5 hours. Shift patterns may differ, including 08:30am - 12:00pm and 12:30pm - 16:15pm or 08:00am - 11:45am and 12:15pm to 16:15pm. Additional hours will be required over harvest September to October.
Salary: £18,525 - £24,180 per annum.
Application deadline: 25th August 2025
About the Employer
Covering 50 acres of land in the heart of Kent, Redhill Farm Estate is a vineyard that is cultivating seven different types of grape vines (French, German and Swiss origin grown), using varying soil for each of them. Employing modern techniques to benefit biodiversity and promote the natural ecosystem of the varieties, the focus is on the quality of the plant as much as the quality of the wine made from it. Redhill Farm Estate started life as a vineyard with a single vine, and there are now over 27,000. Using sustainable vineyard management practices, our wines express the quality nature of the grapes that are aromatic and full of character and are a true expression of the local terroir. We are based in an idyllic location embedded in a local community with various small businesses surrounding us.
What will the apprentice be doing?
Your day-to-day tasks will vary, but could include day to day vineyard and estate management and helping out with winery activities such as:
- Pruning
- Harvesting
- Checking vine health
- General maintenance
- Assisting with the retail aspect of the vineyard
What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?
Viticulture or wine growing is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes.
Duties of the viticulturist include monitoring and controlling pests and diseases, fertilising, irrigation, canopy management, monitoring fruit development and characteristics, harvest decisions, and vine pruning during the winter months.
Viticulturists are often intimately involved with winemakers, because vineyard management and the resulting grape characteristics provide the basis from which winemaking can begin.
The role requires self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and as a team player to complete tasks safely and efficiently. A lot of time is spent outdoors in all weathers, so resilience and drive are imperative to be successful.
The course will also incorporate a range of competency certificates, such as first aid and pesticide application.
What apprentices will learn
- Pest & disease management
- Yield forecasting & management
- Pruning & trellising
- Canopy management
- Vineyard floor management
- Vineyard establishment
- Harvest planning and management
- Vineyard nutrition
- Health & safety and standard operating procedures
- Vineyard machinery & equipment
- Qualifications Awarded
- Apprenticeship Certificate
- Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work
- Level 2 in Maths and English (if applicable)
- PA1 Safe use of pesticides (pre requisite of PA3)
- PA3 Air assisted sprayer
Delivery model
- 10 weekly blocks of teaching split between the main campus and the college’s Rock Lodge Vineyard.
What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?
The career progression for the qualified apprentice to be involved in all aspects of this wine business, from growing grapes, to making wine, to presenting our wonderful product to customers.
Desired skills and personal qualities
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Non judgemental
- Physical fitness
Benefits
- healthcare programme at month 3
- birthday afternoon off
- visits to industry show
- other unique benefits, more information on application.
Things to consider
- Having access to your own transport is highly recommended due to rural location of vineyard.
- Much of the work is outside in all weathers. The work itself will be quite physical. During peak season, early starts will be required. Being prepared for this is important
- You MUST not be in any other form of full-time or part time formal education (such as school, college or university) to be eligible to apply for an apprenticeship. Shorter course may not apply.
- You MUST have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to the start of learning and be eligible to work in the UK.
- You MUST be located in an area local to the apprenticeship or be prepared to relocate in time to start employment and study.
- This apprenticeship is approximately 24 months.
Job Type: Apprenticeship
Pay: £18,525.00-£24,180.00 per year
Application question(s):
- What attracted you to this role?
- Do you hold a full UK driving license? If yes, do you have a car?
Work Location: In person
