Vineyard Apprentice

TINWOOD ESTATE LTD

CHICHESTER (PO18 0NE)

Closes on Thursday 30 April 2026

Posted on 10 March 2026

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Summary

We are looking to take a hands-on and enthusiastic apprentice to join our family-run vineyard. This is a great opportunity to join an established organisation and learn traditional methods and the latest technologies for producing excellent grapes over 45 hectares. 

Wage

£26,364 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Additional hours may be avlible (up to 45 hours per week), you would be paid for this time. 

Training course
Crop technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 7.00am to 4.30pm

39 hours a week

Start date

Friday 1 May 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Day to day tasks will vary, especially over the different seasons, but will include: 

  • Prune, train, and tend to the vines
  • Meticulous pests and canopy management
  • Harvesting the grapes during the autumn 
  • Undertake vineyard maintanence 
  • Operate farm machinery to cultivate, fertilise, spray and harvest grapes

Where you'll work

TINWOOD ESTATE
TINWOOD LANE
EARTHAM
CHICHESTER
PO18 0NE

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

PLUMPTON COLLEGE

Training course

Crop technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

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)
  • 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)

Training schedule

  • The apprentice will be taught in-person at Plumpton College via block release
  • This will be one week (five days) every two months during term time

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

  • Due to the location of the vineyard, own transport is advised
  • Being able to work outside in all weather conditions is also essential

About this employer

Tinwood Estate is a family-owned vineyard, growing high-quality grapes that produce fine English Sparkling Wine crafted using the traditional method. Located on the edge of the South Downs near Chichester in Sussex., we grow 45 ha of top quality sparkling wine grapes in our on our flinty, chalky soils. We use the best and latest technology to grow a premium crop. Small team, where nearly everything done in-house.

Company benefits

  • Discounts on Tinwood events and products

After this apprenticeship

  • Assitant vineyard manager and finally a full vineyard manager

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

PLUMPTON COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000020126.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 30 April 2026