Viticulturist (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

Full Time

  Groth Vineyards & Winery

  Oakville, California

This is an opportunity for the right individual to join the winegrowing team here at Groth Vineyard & Winery in the production exceptional quality wines from the heart of Napa Valley’s Oakville Appellation The selected candidate will report to our Vineyard Manager Ben Benson, working with him and his team to learn and understand the nuances of farming on our 165 acres, while also working with our Director of Winegrowing Cameron Parry to achieve production goals from both our own vineyards, and our outside growers.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Works directly with Vineyard Manager to aid/assist in all vineyard management activities. Some supervision of regular, full-time and seasonal employees. Works directly with Vineyard Team Leaders in training and directing vineyard workers. Work with Vineyard Manager and Director of Winegrowing to develop specific goals, policies, procedures, and quality objectives for the wine-growing process. Will work in conjunction with Winemaker / Director of Winegrowing to ensure that grape requirements are met by independent growers. May make pricing recommendations and participate in contract negotiations. Monitors vineyards for pests and disease problems as well as nutritional deficiencies. Follows sustainable farming practices in recommending spray and fertilizer programs to the Vineyard Manager. Assist Vineyard Manager with pesticide reporting and compliance. Works with Safety Coordinator/Vineyard Manager to ensure proper safety record keeping and best practice procedures. Assist with research and development projects. Research and promote applicable technological advancements to Director of Winegrowing for potential implementation. Will participate in frost control operations.

ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides viticulture information necessary for grape assessment. Coordinates field sampling program with the winemaker, overseeing vineyard experimental work and grape maturity assessment. Make technical recommendations to outside growers, ensuring that grapes meet quality and supply objectives. May be required to coordinate short and long term grape acquisition to meet annual crush requirements. May make pricing recommendations and negotiate contractual agreements. Design and implement irrigation and fertilization programs as needed/directed by Vineyard Manager. Responsible for maintaining Napa Green certification, including reporting and recommending improvements as required by the program. Collaborate with winemaker / Director of Winegrowing on harvest decisions. Longer-term projects: Use plant, climate, and soil moisture monitoring equipment for scheduling irrigation and modeling grapevine phenology. Design and implement a vineyard data management plan, including software selection and data entry. 

Assignments: Initially - Entry-level professional activities. Routine or repetitive tasks with specific instructions and set procedures. Later - Wide variety of complex tasks. Participates in the analysis, design, development and implementation of policies, plans, programs, objectives, or technical systems. Participates in quality assessment and sampling for harvest timing.
Experience: Requires one to three years of directly related experience. Clean driving record required, experience with towing trailers preferred. Experience maintaining frost protection equipment and farming implements preferred.
Education: Bachelor or Master Degree required. Spanish language skills required.
Supervision: Initially – close supervision; Later - general, and may provide working leadership or guidance to lower-level employees.

Compensation: Competitive - depends on experience.

How To Apply

To apply, please send your cover letter, CV/resume, and list of references (with contact information) to: [email protected]

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