Winery Lab Technician

Winery Lab Technician

Job Description

The Winery Lab Technician supports wine production by performing routine analytical testing, data collection, and quality monitoring across grapes, juice, fermentation, finished wine, and bottling operations. This role ensures accurate and timely test results, supports regulatory and audit compliance, and partners closely with winemaking, cellar, and bottling teams to maintain consistent product quality.

Responsibilities

• Perform grape maturity testing during harvest, including Brix, pH, titratable acidity (TA), and other juice analyses, and clearly communicate results to the winemaking team.
• Monitor fermentation trends such as Brix reduction, temperature changes, and other indicators to identify potential quality risks.
• Conduct routine wine chemistry analyses, including alcohol by Alcolyzer or distillation methods, pH, TA, volatile acidity, and free and total SO₂.
• Measure dissolved oxygen (DO) levels during production and prior to bottling to support product stability and shelf life.
• Perform residual sugar and malic acid testing to monitor fermentation completion and wine style targets.
• Carry out turbidity and stability testing, including protein and cold stability assessments, to ensure wines are ready for filtration and bottling.
• Maintain calibration logs and verify that all laboratory equipment is functioning correctly and within specification.
• Plate and monitor yeast and bacterial populations to support microbiological control throughout production.
• Assist with sanitation verification and environmental monitoring to help maintain a hygienic production environment.
• Support testing for spoilage organisms during wine aging and pre‑bottling, and provide backup support for microbiology testing related to bottling.
• Perform pre‑bottling analysis to confirm that wines meet quality and stability requirements before packaging.
• Support in‑process bottling line checks, including monitoring DO levels, fill heights, torque on closures, and CO₂ measurements as applicable.
• Collect, label, and retain samples for traceability and future reference, following established protocols.
• Verify lot codes, label accuracy, and packaging compliance to ensure products meet internal standards and regulatory requirements.
• Accurately record all analytical results in Microsoft Excel and/or internal systems, ensuring data integrity and traceability.
• Maintain trend reports to support ongoing quality tracking, process improvements, and decision‑making by production and quality teams.
• Assist in preparing and reviewing Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and ensure documentation supports regulatory and audit requirements.
• Maintain organized, complete, and accurate laboratory records in accordance with internal procedures and external standards.
• Keep the laboratory clean, organized, and compliant with 5S standards to support efficiency and safety.
• Calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments and equipment as needed.
• Manage chemical inventory, including ordering, receiving, and proper storage, and prepare reagents and solutions according to specifications.
• Ensure proper handling, labeling, and disposal of chemicals and waste in line with safety and environmental guidelines.
• Support additional laboratory and production tasks as needed to meet operational and quality goals.

Essential Skills

• 1–3 years of laboratory experience, preferably in wine, beverage, or a similar production environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy in all testing and documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast‑paced production setting.
• Comfort working cross‑functionally with winemaking, cellar, bottling, and other production teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data entry, analysis, and trend reporting.
• Basic understanding of quality control principles and laboratory best practices.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and perform frequent bending, reaching, and repetitive tasks.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs and occasionally climb stairs or ladders while working around active production equipment.
• Ability to work safely with chemicals, cleaning agents, and compressed gases in a laboratory and production environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Enology, Chemistry, Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field preferred.
• Harvest or production experience in a winery, beverage, or food manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• Experience with ERP or LIMS systems is a plus.
• Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, or food safety standards preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
• Experience with quality control in a production or manufacturing environment.
• Background in microbiology or microbiological testing is beneficial.

Work Environment

This position operates in both laboratory and production areas, including the cellar and bottling line. You will work around active production equipment and operations, with exposure to chemicals, cleaning agents, and compressed gases. The role involves varying temperatures typical of cellar and bottling environments. During harvest and peak production periods, extended hours, evenings, weekends, and overtime may be required. The job is physically active, requiring standing and walking for long periods, frequent bending and reaching, repetitive laboratory and sampling tasks, lifting up to 40 lbs, and occasional climbing of stairs or ladders. The laboratory follows 5S standards to maintain a clean, organized, and efficient workspace, and you will be expected to follow all safety procedures and use appropriate personal protective equipment as needed

This is a Contract position based out of Acampo, CA.

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $23.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Acampo,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on May 22, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $20 - $23