Enologist (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Trefethen Family Vineyards

  Napa, California

We are a family-owned estate winery in the Oak Knoll District of the Napa Valley. Our diverse portfolio reflects a legacy of world-class wines that truly reflect their vineyard origins. Each year, we produce several blends and varietals, working with Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir from our estate. In addition to our main ranch on the valley floor, we have a hillside property nearby devoted exclusively to Cabernet Sauvignon and its Bordeaux cousins. Our approach to winegrowing includes a commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability. 

The enologist plays a critical role on our winemaking team, performing a wide range of tasks to help ensure the highest quality for our wines. The enologist performs or supervises all laboratory operations, carries out Quality Control and Assurance on all wines, and is involved in the actual production and bottling of our wine. The enologist participates in production tastings and decisions. This position reports to the Assistant Winemaker and Winemaker and is responsible for training and managing interns during harvest.

Responsibilities

•  Supervise and conduct all laboratory work in safe manner
•  Train and manage harvest interns in conjunction with Assistant Winemaker and Cellar Supervisor
•  Maintain all laboratory logs and records
•  Troubleshoot and maintain all lab equipment
•  Pull samples for QA/QC program
•  Create trial blends and fining trials
•  Set-up and participate in production wine tastings
•  Daily chemical analysis as needed
•  Advanced chemical analysis using spectrophotometer 
•  Fermentation monitoring
•  Calculate and complete additions and inoculations
•  Communicate results directly to Winemaker or Assistant Winemaker
•  Weekly monitoring of wastewater system
•  Manage chemical inventory
•  Assist in general cellar duties when needed
•  Forklift operation and crush pad work
•  Promote the brand at off-site events, on occasion
•  Attend seminars and conferences to continue professional development

Qualifications

•  Degree in Viticulture and Enology or related science
•  Thorough understanding of wine production and wine chemistry
•  Two years of experience in a commercial winery setting
•  Experience working in a winery lab
•  Experience training and managing employees
•  Strong communication skills
•  Proficient in using Microsoft Office (Excel and Word)
•  Strong quantitative skills and the ability to calculate additions rates and perform dilutions
•  Organizational skills and the ability to prioritize numerous tasks
•  Valid CA Driver’s License
•  Most importantly, a strong work ethic and a positive attitude! Making great wine is hard work AND lots of fun!

Physical Requirements

•  Ability to work long hours, especially during bottling and harvest 
•  Ability to lift 50 lbs sacks and roll, move, lift onto a rack empty wine barrels (~100 lbs), and push heavy wheeled machinery
•  Ability to stand for extended periods of time; walk, kneel, and climb stairs and ladders
•  Ability to work in different exposures: indoor, outdoor, hot, cold, wet or dry
•  Ability to work while standing on different surfaces: cement, blacktop, vineyard floor

We offer a unique opportunity to work in a family-owned winery environment alongside numerous long-term employees; people who are passionate about our organization, our authentic property and our 100% estate produced wines. The benefits we offer include a 401k plan, medical/dental insurance and the accrual of annual vacation time.