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Vineyard Operative Apprentice
COATES AND SEELY LTD
Whitchurch (RG28 7QT)
Closes in 21 days (Monday 2 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 9 October 2026
Summary
Coates & Seely is seeking a motivated, practical, and enthusiastic apprentice to join our established vineyard team. This is an excellent opportunity to begin a career in the thriving English wine industry, gaining hands-on experience within a leading commercial vineyard while working towards a recognised apprenticeship qualification.
Wage: £16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage: Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Crop technician (level 3)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 17:00, one unpaid lunch break per day. Overtime may be required during peak periods such as harvest. 40 hours a week
Start date: Monday 9 November 2026
Duration: 2 years
Positions available: 1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work:
- Tractor & Machinery Operation: Operate vineyard tractors safely and efficiently
- Spraying, mowing, undervine cultivation and trimming
- Support harvest logistics and vineyard transport
- Maintain accurate spray and machinery records
- Uphold health, safety and environmental compliance
- Vineyard Operations: Winter pruning and tying down
- Canopy management and crop thinning
- Vineyard monitoring and record keeping
- Harvest operations
- Supporting sustainable vineyard practices
All hands-on and tractor mounted operations required to maintain the vines
Equipment Maintenance & Responsibility:
- Assist with servicing and preventative maintenance
- Take increasing responsibility for routine machinery checks
- Maintain service logs and maintenance schedules
- Identify wear, faults and mechanical issues early
- Ensure machinery cleanliness and safe storage
Where you'll work: The Harroway Whitchurch RG28 7QT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider: PLUMPTON COLLEGE
Training course: Crop technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn:
- Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core)
- Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core)
- Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core)
- Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core)
- Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management. (Core)
- Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core)
- Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core)
- Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core)
- Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core)
- Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core)
- Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core)
- Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core)
- Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core)
- Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core)
- Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
- Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core)
- Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)
- Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core)
- Set and monitor machinery performance to ensure good seed or plant establishment and crop growth. (Soil based)
- Set machinery and equipment taking into account the crop, environment, soil condition and specification requirements. (Soil based)
- Maintain non-productive areas. (Soil based)
- Assess the impact of machinery on soil structure and identify potential damage in accordance with legislation. (Soil based)
- Optimise growth conditions for crops, based on the specific needs of the plant relative to the environment. (Container based)
- Maintain productive and non-productive areas. (Container based)
- Plan for and carry out the removal of waste materials following harvest or dispatch. (Container based)
- Evaluate and select different growing mediums taking into account site conditions and production requirements. (Container based)
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Training schedule: Training is delivered on a block-release basis, requiring attendance at college for one week (five days) approximately every two months during term time.
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Requirements
Desirable qualifications:
- GCSE in: English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills:
- Team working
- Physical fitness
- Detail-oriented
- Enthusiastic
- Punctual
- Reliable
Other requirements:
- Comfortable working outdoors year-round.
- Due to the rural nature of the vineyard, access to your own transport is advised.
About this employer
Coates & Seely is one of England's leading premium sparkling wine producers, located near Whitchurch, Hampshire, in the heart of Hampshire's renowned chalk downlands. Founded in 2008, the estate has built a reputation for producing award-winning English sparkling wines using the traditional method, with a focus on quality, precision, and sustainable vineyard management. The vineyards are situated on a unique chalk and flint terroir between the River Test and Watership Down, providing ideal conditions for growing high-quality wine grapes. The vineyard cultivates the classic sparkling wine varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, which form the foundation of our acclaimed sparkling wine range. For an aspiring viticulturist, Coates & Seely offers an exceptional learning environment. The vineyard combines modern machinery, attention to detail, and a commitment to producing fruit of the highest quality. Apprentices gain exposure to the full annual vineyard cycle, from winter pruning and vine establishment to canopy management and harvest, while working alongside experienced professionals in the rapidly growing English wine industry. Some exposure to winemaking is also available, principally during the harvest period.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
At the end of the 24 month apprenticeship, it is expected that you will continue to work as a Vineyard Assistant. Thereafter your continued employment at Coates & Seely could be in Viticulture and/or Winemaking, as mutually agreed between us.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
PLUMPTON COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000058411.
Apply now
Closes in 21 days (Monday 2 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
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