Seasonal Work

Seasonal Work

Vintage Work

Every harvest, we are on the lookout for people to join us as Cellar Hands to support us during our busy season. Our Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is the No.1 wine in Canada and the top-selling Sauvignon Blanc in the US. We also produce several award-winning wines for the New Zealand and Australia markets including Wild Grace, Young & Co, Round Theory, Crafters Union and our ultra-premium Empirical brand.

If you want to work with the best winemakers, top-quality grapes, and state-of-the-art plant and equipment, look no further.

Our two wineries:

Kim Crawford Winery, Marlborough

Our Kim Crawford Winery is located a few kilometres outside of Blenheim in an area locally referred to as the 'Golden Mile'. Known as our Sauvignon Blanc house, this is the largest of our wineries and the heart of our operations. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is world-renowned and if you want to dive into the distinctiveness of this grape produced in six sub-regions, then this is the place for you.

Selaks Winery, Hawke's Bay

Our Hawke's Bay operation is unique in the number of wines and styles we produce here. It's the home of Kim Crawford Rose, and a host of other wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay; to a splash of Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot Noir. The season in Hawke's Bay kicks off in February, about a month earlier than in Marlborough. We usually start vintage with harvesting grapes to craft our low-alcohol wines. If you want to learn about a little of everything having to do with wine styles and varietals, this is the place for you. Cellar work here involves all aspects of winemaking, from barrel work and flotation, to a variety of red cap management techniques.

Vintage 2022 applications are now closed, to apply for Vintage 2023 please contact nzharvest@cbrands.com

“My first harvest was a fantastic start – working with a friendly crew that felt like a family,” says Katie. “They were willing to share all their knowledge and did whatever it took to build a really great team. It’s hard not to get excited when you are surrounded by people who are passionate and willing to share their passion with you. I learnt a heap and I’ve never looked back...”

Katie, Constellation Brands employee at Kim Crawford winery, Blenheim.

Katie, Constellation Brands employee
Katie at Constellation Brands' Marlborough site

Meet Katie: A winemaking career three harvests in and counting….

Job Title: Operations Administrator

Constellation Brands NZ Workplace: Kim Crawford Winery, Marlborough

Tenure: 2019 – present (3 harvest seasons completed, 2022 underway)

A former student of Marlborough Girls’ College, Katie graduated with an NCEA Level 2 certificate from the New Zealand School of Winegrowing in 2018 (remarkably that year she was the only female student on the course).

In 2019 when just 17 years old, she began working at Constellation Brands’ Awatere Hills vineyard during pre-harvest, then worked in the Kim Crawford Winery during harvest season.

During CBVintage19 Katie was part of a team of Cellar Hands – made up of experienced and non-experienced vintage workers from NZ and around the world who work for a fixed term during harvest. Since then Katie has worked three vintages and 2022 will be her fourth. She looks forward to working with a new crew each vintage – made up of returning seasonal workers, and new people joining for their first harvest.

“My first harvest was a fantastic start – working with a friendly crew that felt like a family,” says Katie. “They were willing to share all their knowledge and did whatever it took to build a really great team. It’s hard not to get excited when you are surrounded by people who are passionate and willing to share their passion with you. I learnt a heap and I’ve never looked back...”

CBNZ crew
Katie (centre) with the crew at Constellation Brands' Marlborough site

We asked Katie what it’s like to work a harvest – here’s what she says:

  • Tell us about what the harvest period is like?

It’s an intense time of shiftwork that is both crazy and fun, you get to meet so many great people and earn well at the same time.

  • Would you recommend others who are looking to learn new skills and explore a winemaking career to apply for a Fixed Term Cellar Hand role?

If you are not sure what you want to do - or you are looking at studying winemaking it’s an excellent foot in the door in terms of experience.

  • What are the best things about working at a vineyard/winery?

Working in the winery is so social and active – hard work but lots of fun. What I enjoy most is going home and feeling like I accomplished so much every day.

Working in the vineyards is very freeing - you’re outside doing your own thing. Its great for building independence and learning how to work through any problems on your own (with support there if you need it of course!).

  • What advice would you give to someone starting out?

Don’t be scared to try something new! Start the day with a smile, make friends with your co-workers – we’re all here to work together, have a good time and make the most of a successful growing season.

Join Constellation Brands Vintage Crew – Fixed term roles available now

  • Learn new skills as you earn

Regardless of experience, all Cellar Hands are trained to perform a number of key roles and duties during harvest season - crushing, pressing, fermenting, blending and more.

Interested? Apply today at https://www.seek.co.nz/Constellation-Brands-New-Zealand-jobs/at-this-company

For further information contact nzharvest@cbrands.com