Description

JOB STATEMENT: This position is responsible for preparing wines for final blends for bottling, working with the Analytical Laboratory to coordinate analyses and Cellar to coordinate process orders. When assigned, the senior winemaker leads product development to include focus on product quality, stability, and compliance. The senior winemaker will also mentor assistant winemakers and winemakers.

Essential Duties:

• Understand and comply with all ISO9001, HACCP and GMP requirements and processes
• Dedicated to crafting quality wines, providing value to our customers, and continuing to improve
• Counsel all department managers where wine is processed to preserve wine quality
• Oversight of all wine operations at designated location.
• Direct all aspects of wine production including but not limited to sparkling, blush, red, and white wine.
• Supervise in grape receiving, crushing, and pressing and wine production operations during harvest on days, swing shift, or graveyard
• Supervise Assistant Winemakers and / or Barrel Room Personal (if assigned)
• Participate in wine tasting at all stages throughout the winemaking process and responsible for conducting evaluation and recommendation of treatments
• Competent in all aspects of barrel aging of wine and maintenance of barrels.
• Conduct and manage experiments, including reporting the results, in relation to wine quality
• Work as a team with all winemaker’s on all blends to insure wine profiles are being adequately filled and bottling requirements are met on time
• Responsible for adhering to state and federal regulations
• Will conduct educational tastings and tours of the facility, when needed
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the winemaking process and procedures
• Brand ambassador/spokesperson for Bronco brands.
• Evaluate and approve bottling labels.
• Maintain background information in winemaking database so that Director of Winemaking has current, accurate information for planning the disposition of the bulk wine inventory.

Qualifications

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education/Experience:

• Degree in Enology, Chemistry or related field
• Minimum ten years of experience as a Winemaker to include 5 years of experience as a sparkling wine winemaker.
• Experience with both the practical and technical aspects of the winemaking process

Knowledge of:

• Winemaking regulatory requirements
• Harvest, fermentation, cellar work, and winemaking analysis

Ability to:

• Must possess excellent written, oral communication and presentation skills
• Conduct and manage experiments, including reporting the results, in relation to wine quality

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sit for an extensive period of time
• Lift up to 50 lbs.
• Perform tasks using standard computer equipment

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Limited noise level
• Indoor & Outdoor climate

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

• Side shield safety glasses, safety vest, head/ear protection and proper footwear when in production facility