Group Viticulturist – External Vineyards

Duties

• Contract new and existing grape and bulk wine supply agreements each year, aligned with group vineyard and costing strategy and based on availability of bulk wine within in the group
• Negotiate annual grape pricing with producers, in conjunction with the head of grape procurement, within budget and strategy
• Lead third-party bulk wine sourcing in line with company sourcing strategy
• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with growers, providing regular feedback on grape performance
• Provide ongoing viticultural guidance and technical support to producers throughout the growing season
• Coordinate harvest scheduling and grape intake planning across production facilities for accurate, reliable forecasting
• Monitor and sample ripeness levels during harvest to support quality control and timely decision-making
• Maintain accurate records of production, costs, producer information, and traceability data
• Support certification and compliance with external sustainability standards (e.g. IPW, WIETA, BSCI) in line with ASA's ESG goals
• Participate actively in the CAV forum, sharing insights and best practice across the viticulture team

Requirements

• Grade 12
• B.Sc Agric in Viticulture and Winemaking
• At least 10 years' experience in a senior winegrape production role
• At least 5-7 years' experience working directly with grape producers and contracting winegrapes
• Local and international exposure to winegrape production trends and practices
• Strong negotiation skills and commercial acumen, balanced with genuine relationship-building ability
• A hands-on, field-based approach comfortable spending regular time with producers throughout the season

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