2025 Harvest Job Description

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 buckets therefore a certain level of confidence in you 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. You will be contacted as soon as a start date is decided.
• 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!

The Rathfinny Team