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Viticulture Apprentice at Balfour Winery
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
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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
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Course contents
- 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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You will be studying at Hadlow college one day per week.
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
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.
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
Contact:
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NORTH KENT COLLEGE
Lucy Penniall
Email: lucypenniall@northkent.ac.uk
Phone: 01322629400
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043438.
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