Askerne Cellar Hand (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Askerne Estate Winery

  Havelock North, Hawke's Bay

Company: Askerne Estate Winery

Type: Full-time

Closes: 27th June 2025

About Us

Askerne is a family-owned business that makes single vineyard wines from a 32-hectare site (17 currently planted) near Havelock North in Hawke’s Bay.

Harvesting is a mix of hand pick and machine harvest with the winery located on site. Production is in the range of 120 to 150 tonnes per annum, plus additional contract winemaking on top of this. Production is planned to expand as additional areas are planted. The principal wine styles are Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Rosé and Red Blends. Smaller amounts of Viognier, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Late Harvest, Noble Sweet and Fortified wines are also produced.

Askerne wines have an excellent track record of medal success and recognition, including a very strong Chardonnay program.

More details about Askerne can be found at www.askernewines.co.nz

About the role

We are looking for a passionate and motivated Cellar Hand to join our small team based in Havelock North.

Working alongside our Winemaker, this is a hands-on role that plays a key part in keeping our winery running smoothly throughout the entire production process.

This is a full-time role, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday. Weekend work and longer hours will be required during the vintage period.

This role reports to the Winemaker. 

Previous winery experience is preferred but not essential - we will also provide extensive training and support.

Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• Promote a strong health and safety culture, championing safe work practices and striving for continued improvement to enhance winery operations and efficiencies.   

• Participate in all winery operations (including laboratory) from fruit receival during harvest through to despatch of finished wine.

• Operating presses, pumps, forklift and other heavy machinery safely and effectively.

• Ensuring compliance with food safety, WSMP, SWNZ and other workplace policies, and maintaining a high level of product quality throughout all operations.

• Be obsessively clean, tidy, organised and maintain a high level of cellar and laboratory hygiene.

• Following instructions carefully, adhering to standard operating procedures and completing work orders accurately and efficiently with good time management. A good level of mathematical competency is required, with the ability to complete basic calculations.

• Work effectively as an individual, as well as with others, contributing to a collaborative and positive team culture.

• Performing general winery maintenance tasks, including cleaning, maintaining equipment, water blasting, and waste management as required.

• Being available for extended hours and weekend work during the vintage season.

• Ability to work across other areas in the business if required, including vineyard, cellar door, wine events, general property maintenance etc. We are a very small team, so the ability to be flexible is very important.

The successful applicant will need:

• Strong work ethic, a reliable team player who is enthusiastic and dependable, with a great attitude and a sense of humour.

• Impeccable attention to detail. Able to demonstrate initiative; be a self-starter and motivate those around you. Someone who leads by example.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Passionate about making great wine!

• Be physically fit, with the ability to stand for extended periods, bend, climb ladders, dig out open fermenters, and lift heavy objects.  This is a physical, hands-on role that requires a good level of strength and resilience.

• Be open to learning, sharing ideas, and growing within the team.  This is a great opportunity to be mentored and further develop your skills in winemaking.

• A practical disposition, good at problem solving and a can-do attitude. 

• A willingness to take on responsibility and learn new tasks.

• A Health & Safety mindset, looking after yourself and others by following and promoting a safe work environment (physical, mental and cultural), following all safety procedures, using proper PPE, incident reporting, etc

• A current full driver’s license.

• Previous forklift experience preferred, but not essential. Forklift training will be provided if necessary. An aptitude with machinery is extremely important. Forklift operation makes up a large part of this role.

If this sounds like you, please submit a cover letter and CV outlining why you are interested in joining our team at Askerne as a Cellar Hand.  Please also provide reference contact details. We look forward to reviewing your application! 

 

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