The Liberty Wines Apprentice scheme is a diverse and challenging two-year programme, which comprises working across, and within, all aspects of one of the UK’s leading wine distributors. Since its launch in 2007, we have seen a phenomenal response to the scheme and some outstanding candidates.
Unique in the industry, our programme offers a detailed yet wide-ranging experience of many departments within the organisation, as well as sponsoring the WSET Diploma Level 4 and funding two vintages in the northern and southern hemispheres. The ideal candidate will have some knowledge and experience of the wine trade, received a WSET Level 3 qualification (or in the process of studying), and be able to demonstrate the potential to thrive at Liberty Wines longer term.
Please visit our Apprentice Scheme Careers page to find out more about this two-year programme and how to apply. The closing date for applications is Friday 21st June 2024.
As part of the Apprentice scheme, candidates get to experience harvest in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Two of our current apprentice's, Ceren and Ben, have just returned from their time in South Africa and Australia. Read more about their experience below.
In 2024, Ceren was lucky enough to work at Gabriëlskloof with Peter-Allan Finlayson. She shared her experience with us, live from the vines:
"Goeie more from Gabriëlskloof!
Harvest is in full swing in the Western Cape! Most grapes have been picked (only a handful of very late ripening varieties remain on the vines) - and the winery is at full capacity as we work to process all inbound fruit.
My first couple of weeks have been a whirlwind, ranging from sampling grapes in the vineyard to determine pick times, to pressing, racking, and barrelling down white wines. Earlier this week we were even lucky enough to travel up to Tierhoek to pick one of the last blocks of Chardonnay for Crystallum/Thorne & Daughters.
The next couple of weeks will be predominantly cellar-based as our focus shifts to managing and pressing red wines (Pinot Noir for Crystallum) that have fermented and spent post-fermentation time on skins to allow the tannins to soften and mature. 2024 looks to be a lekker vintage in the winery and across the region as a whole!"
Meanwhile in the McLaren Vale, Ben was working with S.C. Pannell and gave us the following excellent update mid-harvest:
"A quick update from McLaren Vale. The harvest was up and running quickly this year after a short sharp heatwave got sugars racing in the vineyards. This led to the team at Pannell processing close to 250 tons of grapes in three weeks and when you consider it is a team of four of us in the winery that meant a lot of long days, but it was great to get to know the team and the area as well.
One of the great things about working at S C Pannell is the number of grapes varieties Steve uses to make his wines, this has meant all sorts of different tasks and techniques to get the best from the grapes and make them into Steve’s signature style.
I have been able to visit all the vineyard sites. They are very diverse, offering differing soil types and microclimates. The Protero vineyard in the Adelaide Hills and Koomilya in the McLaren Vale are particularly special and are very exciting projects!!
Recently we have been pressing the ferments and getting them ready for maturation, so plenty of dig outs to do, which is a very messy job.
Things are beginning to wind down a little as we are just waiting for the Nebbiolo from Protero and our current ferments to finish. So, more time will be spent in the barrel cellar racking finished wines into vessels and looking after maturing wines."
Want to become a Liberty Wines Apprentice? Please visit our Apprentice Scheme Careers page to find out more about this two-year programme and how to apply. The closing date for applications is Friday 21st June 2024.