What are the responsibilities and job description for the Seasonal Harvest Lab Technician position at Domaine Carneros Winery?
Do you get a little thrill from clean data, shiny tanks, and a perfectly timed Brix reading? Do you like your days hands-on, fast-paced, and full of “what’s fermenting now?” moments? If you’re ready to learn a ton, support a great winemaking team, and help guide grapes on their journey to Sparkling Wine, then this is the job for you!
About the Role
Our 2026 Seasonal Harvest Lab Tech works under the guidance of our Enologist, assisting with the preparation and successful execution of harvest from July through November (dates TBD). This temporary role is focused primarily on lab analysis and recordkeeping, with opportunities to jump in on cellar work as needed. It’s a great chance to build real-world experience in Sparkling Wine and Pinot Noir harvest operations.
What You’ll Do
- Support the winemaking team’s quality, safety, and protocol standards—every day, every sample, every tank.
- Run harvest analysis (grape maturity, juice and wine chemistry) using automated lab equipment.
- Process, organize, label, and record grape and wine samples using wine tracking software.
- Organize and document cluster counts and weights to support crop estimates.
- Monitor fermentations, maintain data logs, enter analysis into tracking software, and flag any outliers to the winemaking team.
- Clean and sanitize tanks, barrels/casks, and cellar equipment (pumps, hoses, fittings, and tools).
- Inoculate juice and wine for primary and secondary fermentations using both automated equipment and by-hand methods.
- Pitch in on routine cellar tasks as assigned (blending support, wine additions and calculations, tank gassing, pump overs, punch downs, racking, and more).
- Assist with barrel preparation, monthly maintenance, topping, additions, racking, and stirring as needed.
- Complete cellar work orders accurately and on time.
- Help set up and conduct Cork QC.
- Jump into other production/cellar tasks as needed—because harvest is a team sport.
- Act as an ambassador for the company’s safety and sustainability practices.
What You Bring
- Prior winery lab experience preferred.
- Education in Enology, Viticulture, Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific field desired.
- Ability to work a harvest schedule of four 10-hour shifts (4x10), with overtime required during harvest and post-harvest operations (including early mornings, weekends, and holidays as needed).
- Strong math skills and sharp attention to detail for calculating, understanding, documenting, and recording lab results.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; bilingual fluency in English and Spanish preferred.
- Comfort working on a PC in a networked environment, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint).
- Highly organized with consistent follow-through.
- Valid California driver license and ability to be insured under the company’s driver program.
- Commitment to high-quality production and to maintaining a safe working environment.
- Team-first attitude and willingness to do what’s needed for seamless operations.
- Must be 21 years of age or older.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
- Harvest energy: Every day is different, and your work has an immediate impact on what ends up in bottle.
- Real learning, real tools: Build hands-on experience with lab analysis, tracking software, and cellar operations.
- Team environment: You’ll work side-by-side with an experienced winemaking team that values quality and collaboration.
- Purpose-driven practices: Safety and sustainability aren’t posters on a wall, they’re how we operate.
- A beautiful place to work: Vineyards, wine, and a team that takes pride in doing things the right way (with a little extra sparkle).
Domaine Carneros is an equal opportunity employer that thrives as a diverse workforce committed to treating all employees equitably and to providing an inclusive and collaborative working environment. Not only do we strive to provide a healthy and happy work environment, we also care about our impact on the community and land surrounding us. Being a part of the DC team means being a part of a company that focuses on employee’s overall wellness, career development and mentorship opportunities, and educates and drives sustainability initiatives that make a difference in our community. If your qualifications are a match, then please apply today!
Pay: $24.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
Salary : $24