Winery Worker / Cellar Hand
This is the perfect entry-level job for anyone that dreams of getting into the wine trade. It’s a physically demanding role, which often involves menial tasks, but you can pick up valuable skills and experience. You’ll often meet inspiring people too, from celebrated winemakers to renowned viticulturists, so it can suit anyone seeking mentorship.
Responsibilities
A cellar hand must be prepared to work long hours. Tasks can include cleaning tanks, dragging hoses, filling barrels, driving a forklift, helping with the bottling process, punching down, pumping over, racking off, transferring juice and much more.
Skills
You don’t really need any formal qualifications to get started. A love of wine and a strong work ethic can often be enough to land a job at a winery. However, a qualification such as a WSET Level 2 Award in Wines can help you stand out from the crowd, especially if you’re applying for a coveted role at a famous estate.
Career Progression
If you’re wondering how to get a job in wine, this is a great starting point. You’ll join a winery on the bottom rung of the ladder, but career progression can be swift. Many of the world’s leading winemakers, viticulturists, and vineyard managers started out as cellar hands. This is a great way to travel too, as you can divide the year between wineries in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.