Assistant Winemaker (Temp)

We have an exciting opportunity for a temporary Assistant Winemaker to join the MacRostie Winery wine production team! Reporting to the Director of Winemaking, this role ensures continuity of winemaking operations, maintains wine quality standards, and partners closely with the Director of Winemaking, cellar team, laboratory personnel, and cross-functional departments during the temporary employment period. The incumbent will quickly integrate into existing winery processes, execute established winemaking programs, and provide hands-on leadership throughout harvest and production activities to support the MacRostie Winery Winemaking Team during bottling and harvest as support during the 2026 harvest period. The primary role is to monitor and assess fermentations, generate day to day work flow for teams. Assessment of juice and wine chemistry, work with Winemaker to ensure healthy and high quality style targets. Adhere to SOPs and support winemaking and cellar team as needed with typical winery and winery harvest tasks. This role is based in Healdsburg, CA and is a full-time, temporary non-exempt position, working Mon.-Friday with some weekend hours required. The temporary assignment runs from August - December, dependent on business needs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of winery production, enology, or winemaking experience.
• Degree in oenology or other related science field
• Previous harvest leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced production environment.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work extended and flexible hours, especially during harvest.
• Ability to work in varying winery environmental conditions, including wet, cold, and warm conditions.
• Have strong Wine Sensory Skills and Evaluation
• Excellent communicator
• Highly proficient using MS Office suite
  
• Must have Bulk Wine Market experience including software knowledge (Vintrace preferred)
• Winemaking Blending and Bottling Oversite
• Experience working with third party production facilities

Must be able to provide U.S. Work Authorization without current or future sponsorship.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Harvest & Fruit Intake: Create Work Orders for daily grape receiving and processing operations. Evaluate fruit quality and monitor maturity specifications. Collect and review harvest data to support production decisions.
• Fermentation & Winemaking Operations: Monitor fermentations and communicate recommendations to the Director of Winemaking. Conduct daily sensory evaluations and review analytical data. Execute wine additions, inoculations, nutrient programs, and other cellar treatments. Participate in blending trials and wine evaluations. Help manage barrel programs and wine aging activities.
• Production Coordination: Work closely with cellar leadership to prioritize daily and weekly workflows. Generate work orders and production schedules. Coordinate tank, barrel, and winery space utilization. Support bottling preparation, execution, and quality assurance activities.
• Quality & Compliance: Review laboratory analyses and ensure wines remain within established quality and stylistic targets. Maintain accurate winemaking records in compliance with TTB and winery requirements. Follow and reinforce winery safety, sanitation, and quality assurance procedures.
Team Support & Leadership: Provide technical guidance and daily support to cellar staff and harvest interns. Assist with onboarding and training seasonal employees .Foster a collaborative, safety-focused, and quality-driven work environment. Serve as a key point of contact for day-to-day production activities during the Assistant Winemaker's leave.

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By joining Distinguished Vineyards, you will be joining a team of diverse individuals, all passionate about wines, our employees, and our business and what they do! We aim to provide a fun and inclusive culture where everyone can be the best they can be and have a great time doing it. When applying for this opportunity, please complete an application and provide a complete resume. Distinguished Vineyards and it’s wine partnerships (MacRostie Winery, Markham Vineyards, and Argyle Winery) are an equal opportunity employer and encourages all to apply. All applications are kept confidential. Please visit our website to learn more about our culture: Distinguished Vineyards

Job Details:

Job Status: Temporary, Non-exempt

Job Location: Healdsburg, CA

Job Hourly Rate: $48/hr.