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Viticulture Apprentice
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About the Role
An apprentice in viticulture at Balfour Winery will learn grape cultivation, vineyard management, and seasonal tasks like pruning and harvesting. They will engage with modern technology, innovative growing techniques, and creative problem-solving, while monitoring vine health, and gaining practical experience in producing grapes for high-quality wines. As a founding member of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain - achieving Gold status in the vineyard in 2026 - the apprentice role will also be supporting sustainability, biodiversity, and estate conservation initiatives.
We are seeking a motivated Viticulture Apprentice to join our vineyard team. This role offers hands-on experience in grape growing and vineyard management, combining traditional practices with modern technology, innovation, and creative problem-solving to support high-quality wine production.
Who You’ll Be Working With:
- Viticulturist: A highly experienced viticulturist with over 30 years in grape and top-fruit growing, agriculture, and estate conservation. They bring deep practical knowledge and a lifelong connection to the land. As a second-generation grower on the estate, they combine tradition with evolving practices, offering valuable mentorship, insight, and guidance to apprentices learning the craft.
- Head of Production: 12 years of experience across viticulture, winemaking, and operations. Holding an MSc in Viticulture and Oenology and FACTS qualified advisor, they bring strong technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and a focus on efficiency and innovation, supporting apprentices with practical insight all the way through to wine production.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist with daily vineyard operations including pruning, training, canopy management, and harvesting
- Monitor vine health, pests, and diseases, reporting findings accurately
- Support soil management and fertilisation practices
- Operate and maintain vineyard tools and machinery
- Trial digital tools and vineyard technology (e.g., data collection apps, weather sensors)
- Contribute to innovative and sustainable viticulture practices
- Maintain records of vineyard activities and environmental conditions
- Work collaboratively with the vineyard team, liaising with the winery during harvest where required.
Learning & Development:
- Gain practical experience in all aspects of viticulture
- Develop knowledge of grape varieties and growing conditions in England
- Learn about sustainable and climate-conscious vineyard practices
- Build skills in agricultural technology and data-driven decision making
What We Offer:
- Experienced and knowledgeable team for training and mentorship
- Hands-on experience in a growing English wine industry
- Opportunity to work in a leading vineyard with associated winery – all production of the product done on site.
- Career progression within viticulture and winemaking
Skill Required
- Strong interest in viticulture, agriculture, or wine production (previous experience desirable, but not required)
- Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
- Good physical fitness and ability to perform manual tasks
- Basic understanding of technology or willingness to learn
- Machinery operation desired (tractor, mowers, forklift). If no experience, a willingness to learn is required
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Training Provider
NORTH KENT COLLEGE
Training Course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What You'll Learn
Course Contents
(Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).
(Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.
(Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
(Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
(Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
(Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
(Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
(Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
(Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
(Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
(Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
(Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
(Core) Install turf for situation.
(Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
(Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
(Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.
(Landscape construction) Measure and set out an uncomplicated site in preparation for landscape construction activities.
(Landscape construction) Use free hand cutting and or bench cutting of hard landscape materials using abrasive wheels.
(Landscape construction) Repair constructed landscape features (simple and noncomplex) for example re-grouting, re-sanding, damaged fencing.
(Landscape construction) Construct paved feature for example path, patio or shed base. Including setting levels, sub bases, laying bases, finishing.
(Landscape construction) Construct vertical landscape features including fences, ornamental vertical features, and walls.
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(Landscape construction) Install drainage in landscaping.
(Landscape construction) Construct horizontal landscape features (excluding paving).
(Horticulture) Propagate plants by cuttings and seed sowing (this might be indoors or outdoors). Including selection of suitable growing media and or soil.
(Horticulture) Provide aftercare to recently installed turf and maintain established turf or species rich meadows including irrigation, maintenance, monitoring health and protection from use.
(Horticulture) Identify if plants are suitable to site, purpose and aesthetics.
(Horticulture) Maintain soft landscapes for example - staking or support, division, seasonal clearance, and re-planting.
(Horticulture) Monitor and control plant pests, pathogens, and disorders using basic control methods (including application of chemicals or organic equivalents).
(Horticulture) Plant herbaceous and seasonal planting (for example bedding, herbs or bulbs).
(Horticulture) Prune plants to achieve healthy growth and form (including natural habit and formal or trained form).
Training Schedule
You will be studying at Hadlow college one day per week.
Essential Qualifications
- GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C or above)
- Maths (grade 4/C or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other Requirements
- Ideally would need to be 18 or over
- Rural location – must hold valid driving licence as limited public transport
- Outdoor work – Majority of work will be outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather
- Seasonal peaks – Ability to work longer hours during harvest period or summer period as required (harvest September - October)
Balfour Winery is one of England’s leading wine producers, pioneers for both English traditional method sparkling wines, and a new wave of English still wines. Making over 400,000 bottles of still and sparkling wines each year, Balfour is one of England’s most respected and renowned wineries, combining world-class winemaking with a spirit of innovation.
https://balfourwinery.com/ (opens in new tab)
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Career Progression
- Vineyard Operator / Manager: Taking on more responsibility for day-to-day vineyard management, including pruning, canopy work, and harvest decisions
- Assistant Viticulturist: Progressing into a technical role focused on vine health, yield management, and data-driven vineyard decisions
- Viticulturist: Managing vineyard blocks or entire estates, making key decisions on grape production and sustainability
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NORTH KENT COLLEGE
Lucy Penniall
01322629400
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000035993.
Closes in 21 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
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