Assistant Winemaker
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
Blue Rock Vineyard
Cloverdale,
California
Blue Rock Vineyard is a gorgeous, historic, family-owned vineyard and winery in Alexander Valley looking for an enthusiastic and skilled individual to join our team as Assistant Winemaker. You will work directly with our consulting winemaker and vineyard management staff, and be involved in all aspects of harvest and year-round production and operations. Ideal candidates will possess a keen interest in the details of winemaking, have a passion for Bordeaux varietals, and enjoy the challenges and unique opportunities to help shape the ongoing evolution of our estate vineyards and estate-grown wines.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Perform and/or direct all standard harvest operations – set up, cleaning and breakdown of equipment, fruit processing, pump overs, punch downs, nutrient/yeast additions, press operation, barrel downs, sanitation, etc.
• Act as weigh master and ensure documentation is accurate.
• Perform, direct or participate in all standard winery production activities – qualitative evaluation of all lots, racking, blending trials and blending, topping, additions, fining, filtration, etc.
• Participate in Cooper evaluations, barrel program development and perform all barrel maintenance.
• Insure that all electronic records for juice and wine inventory and movement are current and accurate, from grape to bottle.
• Schedule and manage all bottling activity (mobile bottling line), including ordering bottling materials and supplies.
• Exercise outstanding cellar/winery sanitation and organisation.
• Oversee equipment maintenance and coordination of facility maintenance.
• Manage bulk wine sales, purchases and transfers.
• Develop and follow all safety protocols and support safety programs.
REQUIREMENTS:
• You must enjoy being independent, have a strong work ethic, stellar organisational skills, a positive attitude, and be good at communicating your needs and observations.
• Robust working knowledge of all harvest activities, cellar maintenance and bottling.
• A strong knowledge of and a keen respect for all winery sanitation procedures.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively present information to Blue Rock ownership and the team.
• An understanding that extended hours are required during peak times of year, often occurring in a cold and wet environment.
• Comfort managing seasonal workers at harvest.
• Excellent forklift skills.
• Mechanical aptitude and the capacity to troubleshoot.
• Ability to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds, plus climb ladders and stairs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Fluency in English; Spanish communication skills a plus.
• Minimum of five years related experience and/or training.
Salary considerations commensurate with experience. If you are interested in joining our dynamic team and applying your enthusiasm and talents to the production of our high-end wines
