Harvest Lab Intern
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Contract
VML Winery
Santa Rosa,
California
VML Russian River Winery is an ultra-premium producer of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc located in Healdsburg. We are seeking skilled, motivated, and enthusiastic cellar interns to assist in crafting wines during the 2017 vintage. Harvest Interns will be exposed to all aspects of premium winemaking including: fruit processing, fermentation management, pressing operations and barrel aging of a wide range of wine styles and types.
VML Winery focuses on the principal varieties of the Russian River Valley: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Additionally, interns will gain extensive experience with Dry Creek Valley red wines as we craft premium Syrah, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel for our sister winery Truett Hurst located in Dry Creek Valley.
Interns have the opportunity to work at a new production facility as our temporary production facility for this harvest will be in Santa Rosa. We are seeking a skilled, motivated and enthusiastic laboratory intern for the 2017 vintage. This will primarily be a laboratory internship with a specific focus on fermentation monitoring and chemical analysis.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Typical juice/wine analysis (Brix, malic acid, glu/fru, YAN, pH/TA, VA, SO2, alcohol, etc.)
• Daily monitoring of primary fermentation with brix and temperatures.
• Daily sampling of all lots
• Calibration and daily set-up for instruments
• Preparation of chemical reagents
• Accurate record keeping on logs and in tracking system
• Follow all safety procedures
• Keep lab clean including daily washing of glassware
• Routine cleaning and/or preventative maintenance on lab instrumentation
• Perform yeast and nutrient additions as required by winemaker
Qualifications and Experience
• College degree in Viticulture or Enology, Chemistry, Biology, or prior related experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• The ability to learn and adhere to lab procedures
• Willing and able to work extended hours during peak times typically 6 days per week
• Have a strong work ethic and “team” attitude with strong problem solving abilities
• Proficient in a lab setting with basic lab skills (ie. pipetting, titration)
• Some knowledge of Google Docs/Sheets preferred
• Knowledge of Vintrace a plus
• Ability to multi-task
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time and lift up to 50 lbs