Vineyard Manager

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone experienced with cool climate viticulture and biodynamics, valuing long term stewardship of land, soil, vines and culture rather than short term production outcomes.

After almost 19 years, Rippon’s Vineyard Manager is moving onto new adventures and we are now seeking an experienced Vineyard Manager to join us and lead the care of our Wānaka vineyard. This is a rare opportunity to join a dedicated team valuing long term stewardship over than short term production outcomes.

It’s critical that we find the right person and we know that that person may have existing harvest commitments so timing is a little flexible but we require someone to be able to join us in Wānaka by no later than 16th May, 2026. 

Key responsibilities

This role oversees the planning and day-to-day management of all vineyard operations across the seasons, maintaining high vineyard and team performance, and compliance with organic and biodynamic standards.

Vineyard operations:

• Plan and oversee all seasonal vineyard activities 

• Design and implement organic spray programmes

• Manage seasonal biodynamic practices 

• Monitor vine health, soil condition and disease pressure

• Manage irrigation systems, water requirements and frost risk

• Maintain tractors, machinery and vineyard equipment in safe working order

• Drive appropriate health and safety, and biosecurity practices

• Maintain vineyard certifications and regulatory requirements, including compliance with Biogro and Demeter, and practical certifications such as GrowSafe. 

People and management: 

• Plan team requirements and direct recruitment and training of seasonal staff

• Forecast and manage vineyard operating budgets and seasonal resource planning

• Maintain accurate vineyard records and operational documentation

• Maintain positive relationships with neighbouring properties

• Work closely with the winery team on vintage planning and harvest coordination

• Contribute to the leadership, direction and culture of the company, maintaining supportive working relationships with other managers, including sales and hospitality

Experience and requirements:

• Rippon is farmed biodynamically and the Vineyard Manager is one of the licensed practitioners responsible for maintaining our biodynamic certification. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability and knowledge to manage the vineyard biodynamically to meet the requirements of the Demeter standards, as the successful applicant will become the licensee. This requirement is essential and should be clearly addressed in your application.

• Minimum two years’ experience in vineyard management, ideally in cool climate viticulture

• Proven practical experience across the full vineyard cycle including pruning, canopy management and harvest preparation

• Experience designing spray programmes and managing vineyard disease pressure

• Mechanical competence including tractor operation and basic machinery maintenance

• Experience with Fendt tractors, Braun equipment and a forklift license, is desirable 

• Experience managing irrigation systems and vineyard infrastructure

• Experience managing frost risk and responding to weather related vineyard events

• Experience managing vineyard budgets and operational planning

• Confidence training and leading team members while maintaining high working standards

• Strong planning and organisational skills with attention to detail

• Ability to remain calm and make clear decisions during demanding periods of the vineyard year

• A permanent right to work and reside in New Zealand 

The successful candidate will need the experience and confidence to lead practical vineyard decisions from day one. We don’t expect perfection, but we do need someone comfortable taking responsibility and guiding a team, and the vines, through the seasons.

If this sounds like a job that you’re ready to get your teeth into and you meet our requirements, we would love to hear from you. Please send a cover letter and CV to apply@rippon.co.nz, including the date you would be available to start, by no later than 5pm, Friday 28th March, 2026.

While we understand that AI can help with applications, we also need to hear your voice and get a feel for who you are.