Winemaker – Tscharke Wines
Location: Tscharke’s Place, 376 Seppeltsfield Rd, Marananga, Barossa Valley
Reports to: Director (Damien Tscharke)
Employment Type: Full-time / Permanent 5 days per week
About Us
At Tscharke Wines, everything begins with the land.
Six generations of grape-growing and winemaking have shaped who we are - innovators with deep roots. We craft wines that speak softly yet confidently of time, place, and patience. Our practices are biodynamic, our mindset progressive, and our approach intentional.
Joining our team means becoming part of a small, passionate group that values curiosity, creativity, and respect for nature’s rhythm. Here, the work is hands-on and deeply personal. Every vintage is a story, and every member of our team has a hand in writing it.
About the Role
We’re looking for an energetic, forward-thinking Winemaker to lead the daily operations of our winery and cellar, working closely with the team to shape the next chapter of Tscharke’s story.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives on both precision and imagination - someone who can confidently manage small-batch winemaking, uphold biodynamic and organic principles, and find beauty in the details.
You’ll collaborate directly with Damien Tscharke and our close-knit crew, bringing technical expertise, creative insight, and craftsmanship to everything from fermentation decisions to sensory analysis.
If you love the challenge of balancing science and artistry - and can see the romance in vineyard dust and cellar humidity - you’ll feel right at home here.
Qualifications
- A degree in Oenology (or equivalent) and a minimum of two years’ winemaking experience.
- Experience in small-batch or boutique wineries preferred.
- Current High Risk Forklift License.
Skills and Attributes
- Highly organised and efficient, with the ability to prioritise competing demands in a dynamic environment.
- Strong technical winemaking skills, with the confidence to assess the sensory qualities and identify potential faults in wine.
- Demonstrated expertise in project management and planning, supported by practical, hands-on experience.
- Well-developed verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to both undertake and direct others to meet viticultural and winemaking objectives.
- A strong focus on productivity - delivering outcomes effectively and efficiently.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively within a team, while also operating with a high degree of autonomy and self-reliance.
- A vibrant, positive personality with a natural attention to detail, openness to non-conventional winemaking practices, and a willingness to continually learn and adapt.
Responsibilities
The Winemaker will be highly competent in the following areas of responsibility:
- Managing and operating facilities developed for small-scale winemaking, in conjunction with a small cellar team.
- Project planning and setting operational parameters for various types of viticultural and winemaking practices.
- Implementing and maintaining accurate records of all winemaking operations.
- Estimating the quantity and cost of dry goods, bottling materials, and consumables to assist with pricing and annual budgeting — ensuring the operation remains profitable.
- Liaising closely with the business owner to coordinate the scheduling of winemaking activities, ensuring viticultural and winemaking practices are delivered to a high standard and on time.
- Supervising the activities of cellar hands and/or vineyard staff employed by Tscharke Wines.
- In conjunction with the business owner, facilitating and implementing organic and biodynamic certification practices in accordance with SXC standards.
- Complying with all WHS policies, procedures, and Safe Operating Procedures to ensure a safe and positive work environment.
- Maintaining a professional manner and cultivating productive relationships across the industry.
- Planning, coordinating, and executing continual improvement programs to sustain high quality and profitability.
- Maintaining and developing sensory skills through benchmarking and staff training.
- Acknowledging that all Intellectual Property and discoveries arising during employment remain the property of Tscharke Wines.
- Undertaking other duties as directed by the business owner.
- Promoting the general wellbeing of Tscharke Wines by ensuring all interactions with customers, staff, and the public are conducted professionally and confidentially.
Why Join Us
At Tscharke Wines, you’ll find more than a job - you’ll find a community bound by purpose. From the first press to the last pour, we’re driven by respect for the land, innovation in practice, and the joy of sharing something beautiful.
If this sounds like your kind of place, we’d love to hear your story.
Please email your CV to damien@tscharke.com.au
