Head Start Wine Apprentice

HALLGARTEN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME

What is it?

Our 18 month apprenticeship programme continues to encourage the development and growth of new talent within the wine industry, providing a 360-degree perspective of the wine sector from vineyard to table.

A Head Start apprentice will experience all aspects of the Hallgarten & Novum Wines business from time at head office in Luton with the customer services, finance, marketing and brand management teams, experience within the business’ nationwide sales teams and through to “hands on” harvest with one of the company’s key European partners.

The Head Start programme is designed to give the apprentice total visibility of the Hallgarten & Novum business, allowing them an insight into and understanding of the financial, strategic and commercial aspects of the company.

Who are Hallgarten?

Hallgarten is one of the UK’s leading wine specialists, working with many of the UK’s top On and Off Trade businesses. Our award-winning portfolio has over 1,600 wines from every corner of the wine-making world and is at the core of our success. We are proud to have recently won IWC On Trade Wine Supplier of the Year and Large Agent of the Year and have been awarded the ‘Drinks Company of the Year 2025 and ‘On Trade Suppler of the Year 2025’ trophies by the Drinks Business. Hallgarten was the leading supplier to The Wine Merchant Top 100 competition 2025 and has won a record number of trophies at the Sommelier Wine Awards. We are also Silver- accredited Investors in People, very proactive with ED&I in the wine industry and the sustainability agenda, and proudly part of Coterie Holdings.

What we are looking for

•        Bright and enthusiastic individuals, with an interest in wine and the business of wine

•       Strong written and oral communication skills

•        Pro-active, motivated and ambitious individual able to demonstrate high attention to detail and good organisation skills

•        Experience of working in catering, hospitality, leisure or wine retailing is advantageous

•        If not already qualified the successful candidate will be required to pass the Wine Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Levels 1 & 2 within 12 months and complete WSET Level 3 within 18 months of starting.

•       Quick learner and good team player with an aptitude for hard work

•       IT literate

•       2^nd Language would be useful but not essential

•       Eligible to work in the UK

·      Willingness to travel and has a valid driving licence and passport

What are we offering

•       18 month fixed term contract with a view to permanent employment

•       25 days’ paid leave in addition to Public Holidays

•       Participation in the Company profit share scheme

•       Range of optional additional benefits

•       Opportunities for further training and development

Our 5 values are partnership, positivity, passion, pride and progression; you will find a collaborative, supportive friendly team at Hallgarten Wines which gives you the platform to succeed and grow.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to equality of opportunity for our current and future employees irrespective of their gender, age, race, disability, marital status, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

The successful candidate will need to commute to Luton (Capability Green Junction 10 M1) for the duration of the apprenticeship and there will be some travel to a Mayfair office as well.

The start date is January 2026

Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your relevant experience and stating why you should be our next Hallgarten Head Start Apprentice to [email protected] and the deadline for applications is 31^st October 2025, but we reserve the right to close earlier should we find the successful candidate.