Senior Winemaker / General Manager – RiverBank Winery

Lead, Create, Inspire in the Heart of Wine Country

Are you passionate about crafting premium, boutique wines and leading dynamic teams? RiverBank Winery is seeking an experienced and visionary Senior Winemaker / General Manager to oversee daily operations and help shape the future of our exceptional brand.

About the Role

As Senior Winemaker / General Manager, you will take the helm of our winery, restaurant, and events venue, nurturing our staff and upholding a vibrant, positive workplace. You’ll collaborate closely with the owners to elevate our brand and ensure every bottle reflects the unique character of our region.

Expectations of the role;

· Vintage (harvest) runs between mid January – mid April. It is expected that the Senior Winemaker will oversee the entire production and be available as required. From sampling fruit, Be’s, deciding harvest dates, to liaising with Vineyard Manager to organising harvest, method of harvest, labour requirements, logistics, transport & fruit receival to the winery. Wine style decisions etc

· Wine Production. All aspects of production from processing grapes to wine. Destemming, pressing, cold settling, racking, inoculation, monitoring of fermentation, analysis, blending, stabilization, fining & filtration to sound finished wine ready for bottling. Including supplying samples to Wine Check for further analysis.

All purchasing decisions as required. All additions including DAP, PMS, TA, CA, Yeast, enzyme, Cu, bentonite, skim milk, albumen, tannin, gelatin, PVPP, LAB for MLF, etc.

· Daily record taking in keeping with AWBC standards, LIP (label integrity programme), Writing up daily work sheets for assistant winemaker / cellarhand.

· OHS (occupational health & safety), Work Safe compliant, Senior First Aid Officer, RSA (responsible service of alcohol), must hold manual drivers licence, forklift licence, Australian citizenship. Be responsible for tagging all electrical equipment with certified electrician, organise servicing of all machinery including press, destemmer, bottling line, forklift etc

· Barrel management – be responsible for purchasing all oak requirements from barrels to additives. Barrel work including racking, cleaning, topping, monthly analysis, blending, sous / storage.

· Bottling – maintain and run bottling line. Ensure all wine is bottle ready, filtration as required, ordering of bottles, labels, closures, dry goods etc in conjunction with owners / marketing departments decisions. Organising labour, safety training, storage, stocktaking etc

· Marketing – work with the team to ensure all labels are correct, write labels as required, write tasting notes for cellar door, fulfil legal requirements, dealing with label company to print and supply etc

· Source quality fruit or finished wine from other suppliers as required.

· Sales - Work with the marketing team for online website, promotion, events etc

Train cellar door staff , distributor about the wines. Work with distributor to promote wholesale sales. Assist in wine tasting where needed. Develop and maintain online sales and distribution.

· Vineyard Management - quality parameters, quantity forecasts, spray programme, harvest, pruning, watering, hedging, bunch thinning, which varieties to graft over to new varieties etc, help out where possible.

· General maintenance and help where needed

· Assist in all Networking events related to Riverbank wines tastings and sales

About You

Proven experience in winemaking and operational management

Strong leadership and communication skills with a hands-on approach

Commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement

Relevant certifications: Senior First Aid, RSA, manual driver’s licence, forklift licence, Australian citizenship

Passion for premium, handcrafted wines and fostering a positive team environment

Why RiverBank?

Be part of a respected, family-owned winery dedicated to excellence

Opportunity to innovate and steer the direction of our brand

Work in a beautiful regional setting with supportive owners and a collaborative team

Ready to make your mark in the world of boutique winemaking? Apply now and join us at RiverBank Winery to lead our team and shape the wines of tomorrow.

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Many Thanks

Eric Lembo

Director