Associate Winemaker

JOB STATEMENT: This position is responsible for initiating and guiding wine health standards as well as creating processes that support wine quality and production deadlines. They are responsible for preparing wines for final blends for bottling, and work with the Analytical Laboratory to coordinate analyses, and Cellar to coordinate process orders.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Understand and comply with all ISO9001, HACCP, Safety and GMP requirements and processes
• Dedicated to crafting quality wines, providing value to our customers, and continuous improvement
• Collaborates with cellar management to drive quality and efficiency project improvements
• Responsible for identifying areas for continuous improvement
• Enlists and engages with cellar and logistics/planning teams to align with all cellar schedules and priorities
• Initiates, collaborates and engages in grape receiving, crushing, and pressing and wine production operations during harvest on days, swing shift, or graveyard where needed
• Initiates and drives wine tasting at all stages throughout the winemaking process and responsible for conducting evaluation and recommendation of treatments.
• Write process workorders for all production related tasks from harvest to bottling, maintaining working relationships across cellar, compliance, finance, etc.
• Responsible for training, mentoring and managing Interns and Enologists as assigned
• Drives and conducts and manages experiments, including reporting the results, in relation to wine quality and/or process improvement
• Work as a team with other Bronco winemakers on any blends as assigned to ensure wine profiles are being adequately met
• Actively identifies and solves challenges as they arise as well as elevates discussions to leadership for input and support when needed
• Responsible for adhering to state and federal regulations
• Conduct educational tasting’s and tours of the facility, when needed

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education/Experience:

• Degree in Enology, Chemistry or related field
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in an Enologist or Assistant Winemaker role
• Experience with both the practical and technical aspects of the winemaking process from vineyards to bottling
• Experience with wine tracking software systems
• Experience with Bulk Wine purchasing and sales, a plus

Knowledge of:

• Winemaking regulatory requirements
• Harvest, fermentation, cellar work, and winemaking analysis
• Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook

Ability to:

• Must possess excellent written, oral communication and presentation skills
• Drive cellar workload and communicate appropriately amongst multiple departments (Cellar, Marketing, Sales, Winemaking, Compliance, etc)

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