Viticulture and Winery Technical Specialist

Bragato Research Institute leads quality research and innovation that enables the New Zealand wine industry to thrive

Viticulture and Winery Technical Specialist

At BRI, every team member plays a vital role in driving our vision forward. The Viticulture and Winery Technician directly support this by independently leading and managing research and commercial trials, aimed at delivering impactful results to the NZ wine industry and commercial clients.

This role provides essential support to the Winegrowing Innovation Leader and the wider BRI team, particularly in areas such as setting up and managing viticultural trials, managing client relationships, conducting fieldwork, collecting and analysing data, and collaborating with research partners and growers.

Additionally, the role contributes to the operations of the research winery. Primary duties will encompass a wide range of essential tasks, including grape reception, fermentation management, wine finishing, bottling, cleaning, and the maintenance and upkeep of winery equipment. A crucial part of your role is to uphold the highest standards of safety and compliance within the winery environment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• 2-3 years technical viticultural, winery operations or horticultural experience
• Viticulture, winemaking, or relevant horticulture qualification required
• Experience in establishing, running and reporting on applied field trials
• Familiar with and interest in applied science and technical viticulture and winemaking
• Knowledge of winery processes and experience operating winemaking equipment
• Experience in field data collection and report writing
• Growsafe certificate
• WSET Level 2 or higher preferred

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to understand scientific papers and communicate their outcomes in practice – i.e., how results and knowledge arising from research can be implemented
• Strong self-motivation, taking initiative and demonstrating a proactive approach to problem-solving
• A clear communicator across diverse audiences using excellent written and verbal skills
• Takes pride in your ability to deliver high-quality work within tight timeframes
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Professional manner and attitude, you are known for doing what you say you're going to do
• Able to build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Flexible, adaptable, with strong organisation and time management skills
• Committed to quality improvement, up-skilling, and personal development
• Committed to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Field trials and viticultural research

• Set up and design of commercial field trials, including testing relating to agrichemicals and other areas of applied viticulture, and creating trial protocols and budgets for clients
• Practical oversight of field trials for the evaluation of crop protection and fertiliser products
• Data collection, collation and analysis, including disease and vine health assessments.
• Preparing trial reports for clients
• Liaison with growers, commercial clients, contractors, and other trial participants
• Assisting with the coordination of labour requirements for research and commercial trial fieldwork
• Responsible for the setup and maintenance of the commercial spray trailer and viticulture laboratory
• Supervision of students or other staff employed in field work
• Liaison and cooperative work with research partners

Cellar Operations

• Participate in all cellar duties from harvest through to bottling
• Filtering, bottling and labelling wines
• Liaise with wineries & growers to collect juice & fruit for trials at vintage
• Ensure the cellar and all work areas are maintained at a high level of cleanliness, organisation and hygiene
• Assist with maintenance and the upkeep of the facility

Support the BRI extension programme

• Provision of data, information, and support to BRI's extension staff
• Research and collate information in response to industry requests
• Development and delivery of extension outputs to industry, including field demonstrations, videos, etc.
• Participation in extension events, including field days, workshops and seminars

People

• Lead by example in everything you do and champion the BRI values
• Proactively identify resourcing needs to enable strategy, including the recruitment and onboarding of casuals to set them up for high performance.
• Identify and deliver on opportunities to share your knowledge with the wider team to encourage a one team mindset and culture of collective understanding.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback and actively engage in courageous conversations.

Health, Safety, and Wellbeing

• Comply with all Health & Safety policies and requirements and be able to identify or respond immediately to health and safety issues
• Focus on your own wellness and actively support others to focus on theirs