Group Viticulturist - External Vineyards (Stellenbosch)

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Group Viticulturist to manage external vineyard sourcing and grower partnerships for a leading wine producer in Stellenbosch. The role combines technical viticultural support with commercial negotiation to ensure a reliable supply of high‑quality grapes and bulk wine aligned with our winemaking programme.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain long‑term relationships with external grape producers, negotiating annual supply agreements and pricing.
• Provide technical viticultural guidance throughout the growing season, including vineyard visits, quality monitoring and yield optimisation.
• Coordinate harvest scheduling, grape intake planning and logistics across production facilities.
• Source third‑party bulk wine, monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain accurate production records, traceability documentation and ensure compliance with sustainability and certification programmes.

Required profile

• Minimum 10 years’ senior experience in wine grape production or viticulture, with 5–7 years managing grower relationships.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills and ability to balance supplier partnerships with strategic sourcing objectives.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with internal production and procurement teams and to travel to vineyards as needed.

Required skills

• Vineyard management and grape quality optimisation.
• Harvest planning and production coordination.
• Sustainability and certification programme implementation.