Grape Pickers
Harvest is one of the most exciting times of year on the Estate.
What you need to know:
- A three-week commitment is essential from the third week of September, although the start date may be slightly later. Harvest could start as early as 15 September or as late as 6 October.
- You’ll need to be confident in your fitness, mobility and stamina. This is physical, outdoor work! We anticipate that you would be doing in excess of 15k steps a day.
- The terrain is steep and uneven (we’re in the South Downs), and we pick in most weathers.
- All training is provided — no experience required.
If you’re interested in applying, please send an email to vineyard@rathfinnyestate.com stating that you will be available for harvest this year, with your full name as it appears on your passport or birth certificate. Let us know if you have picked with us before, or if this will be your first experience.
Customer Experience Assistant Manager
We’re looking for a proactive and detail-driven individual to join our team as Customer Experience Assistant Manager at the Rathfinny Cellar Door.
This hands-on role involves overseeing the day-to-day running of our wine shop and visitor experiences from guided tastings and e-commerce fulfilment to delivering exceptional customer service at every touchpoint. You’ll work closely with the Customer Experience Manager to support team development, lead tastings and help shape our guest experience.
If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge and lead our Wine Tourism business to new heights, we would love to hear from you! Register your interest in this role by send your current and up to date CV to HR@rathfinnyestate.com
Tour & Tasting Guide
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and reliable Tour & Tasting Guide to join our Cellar Door team at Rathfinny.
In this varied and engaging role, you’ll lead our popular Vineyard and Winery Tours, host drop-in tastings, support wine and retail sales and help fulfil online orders. You’ll also assist with bookings for Wine Tourism and dining experiences across the Estate.
We’re seeking someone with excellent time management, a positive and professional attitude and someone who enjoys connecting with people and delivering exceptional guest experiences. A passion for wine is a must!
If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge, we would love to hear from you! Register your interest in this role by send your current and up to date CV to HR@rathfinnyestate.com.
Chef de Partie
We’re looking for a skilled and passionate Chef de Partie to join the hospitality team at Rathfinny Wine Estate.
Based in our Michelin-recommended Winery restaurant, the Tasting Room, you’ll be working with exceptional seasonal ingredients and a talented, supportive kitchen team led by Executive Head Chef Chris Bailey.
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a dynamic food and wine destination, producing exceptional dishes that complement our Sussex Sparkling wines.
This is a full-time role on a rota basis, including weekends and evenings. To apply, please send your up-to-date CV and cover letter to HR@rathfinnyestate.com. A right to work in the UK is essential.
Harvest Winery Staff
“Professionally, I’ve never been happier, more satisfied, and welcomed as at Rathfinny Wine Estate!” – Maria Petre, Harvest Assistant 2023
We’re looking for dedicated Winery Production Assistants to play a hands-on role in all aspects of winemaking at the Estate during harvest in October 2025.
Working closely with our Winemaker and senior team, you’ll be involved in the safe, efficient, and high-quality production of our acclaimed Rathfinny Estate sparkling wines, as well as Cradle Valley still wines.
Rathfinny is B Corp and an equal opportunities employer. We actively support Human Rights, and all Equality legislation. If you’re passionate about wine and eager to be part of a dynamic, hands-on team, we’d love to hear from you.
Please only apply if you have the right to work in the UK.
Submit your current CV and covering letter addressing the job description to hr@rathfinnyestate.com
Head Housekeeper
We are looking for an organised individual with high standards to head up our Rathfinny housekeeping team for a 12 month contract.
You will be responsible for overseeing the housekeeping programme across Rathfinny Wine Estate including our Flint Barns and the Rathfinny Cottage self-catering accommodation.
This is a 12-month temporary position of 32.5 hours per week worked on a rota basis to cover maternity leave. However, shifts will be regularly the same where possible for continuity. To apply, please send your up-to-date CV/cover letter to HR@rathfinnyestate.com. A right to work in the UK is essential.
Grape Pickers
Grape picking is a rewarding and social activity, perfect for those who are motivated and enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle.
If you have picked with us before, harvest will look a little different this year as we adopt a faster-paced picking method, with fewer teams and greater efficiency.
Please note, if you are interested in picking, we anticipate that you would be doing in excess of 15k steps a day and there will be some lifting of crates therefore a certain level of fitness, mobility and stamina are essential in order to do the job. Our Vineyard is set on chalky soil in the foothills of the South Downs so uneven ground and high elevation comes with the territory. We also pick in most weathers as the window for collecting the best crop is limited.
All training and tools are provided.
Qualities we look for in the ideal candidate:
- Resilience – you will need to be prepared to work in all weathers, just in case.
- Active – this is a physical outdoor task that requires plenty of walking and bending each day. Some job roles in the team may include gentle running.
- Team work – a good attitude and positive mindset will help you and your team succeed.
- Commitment – you need to commit to three weeks of work and be available every day we pick.
The details:
- Harvest could start as early as 15 September or as late as 6 October
- We may not pick every day due to the weather
- Harvest could take up to three weeks to complete
- We need pickers to be available every day
- The rate of pay is £12.50/hour
- The hours of work will be from 08:00 to 18:00
To apply:
As soon as you can, send an email to vineyard@rathfinnyestate.com stating that you will be available for harvest this year, with your full name as it appears on your passport or birth certificate. Let us know if you have picked with us before, or if this will be your first experience.
We will then send you this year’s paperwork to complete. Return this, and we can register you on the system.
We look forward to working with you!
Front of House Team Members
We are looking for part-time Front of House Team members to join us at Rathfinny.
We are looking for part-time team members to join our growing team:
- Full product and coffee training provided
- 3-4 days a week available
- Applicants must be willing to work some weekends and Bank Holidays
- Own transport is essential due to the rural location of our Estate
For more information and to apply, please email your CV to HR@rathfinnyestate.com
Chefs
We are looking for chefs to join our hospitality team at the Rathfinny Wine Estate as we continue to expand the catering offer across the Estate.
We are looking for flexible, hard-working staff who have a good attitude and a willingness to learn.
We can offer training, a stunning work location, flexible hours (part time and full time), exposure to cooking in one of Sussex’s finest hospitality offerings using some of the best ingredients available and a very good level of service charge on top of the hourly rate.
Various positions you could be working in:
- Tasting Room fine dining restaurant
- Flint Barns restaurant
- High end alfresco dining offering
If you are interested in applying or would like any more information, please send your CV to hr@rathfinnyestate.com
