Seasonal Grape Farmworker

Seasonal Grape Farmworker at Spicewood Vineyards in Spicewood, TX.

Temporary agricultural workers will perform all duties related to the production and harvest of grapes in a commercial vineyard. Duties include, but are not limited to, pruning grapevines; identifying and removing the proper canes and vines while retaining appropriate fruiting wood and renewal spurs; cleaning up and chipping pruned material; tying canes and cordons to trellis wires; thinning and suckering vines; positioning shoots onto trellis wires; performing first and second shoot thinning and wire positioning; laying plastic; and controlling weeds by hand, with a long-handled hoe, mowing, and weed trimming. Workers will perform general vineyard maintenance necessary for crop production, including removing debris, maintaining vineyard rows and grounds, and repairing and maintaining fences and trellis systems. Workers may install, maintain, and repair irrigation systems and water lines; move and install irrigation pipe and equipment; and dig, clean, and maintain irrigation ditches. As directed and when properly trained, workers may apply fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, plant growth products, soil conditioners, and other approved crop treatments according to label instructions, crop conditions, weather conditions, and employer instructions. During harvest, workers will harvest grapes by hand and/or with agricultural equipment as directed; collect, load, move, and transport harvested grapes from vineyard rows to designated on-farm collection, storage, or handling areas; remove crop and harvest debris; and perform post-harvest vineyard cleanup. Workers must possess the skills and knowledge necessary to properly prune grapevines, including knowing what, when, where, and how much to prune, and must consistently use pruning practices that maintain vine balance, productivity, and plant health. Workers may operate tractors, mowers, sprayers, chippers, utility vehicles, and other agricultural equipment used in vineyard production and must operate all equipment safely and in a manner that protects the worker, other employees, the crop, equipment, and employer property. Workers must follow all employer safety procedures and applicable pesticide and equipment safety requirements. Work is performed outdoors and may require prolonged standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, lifting, and repetitive hand movements. Work hours may increase during peak production and harvest periods and may reach approximately 50 hours per week.

Work begins January 11, 2027 and ends November 10, 2027.

Pay is $16.24 per hour.

Housing is provided.

Typical schedule: about 40 hours per week.