What are the responsibilities and job description for the Winery Assistant position at Truckee River Winery?
Winery Operations & Tasting Room Associate
Truckee River Winery – Truckee, CA Summer through Harvest (Potential for Year-Round Growth)
The Opportunity
Truckee River Winery is looking for 1–2 motivated individuals to join our team for the upcoming 2026 season! This "hybrid" position is the perfect fit for a "front-of-house" professional who wants to move into the "back-of-house" to gain hands-on experience in the operations side of winemaking.
You will work closely with our owner and winemaker, learning multiple facets of the business—from premium mountain wine production to high-level guest hospitality. While this role begins as a seasonal position through harvest, there is significant potential for it to evolve into a full-time, year-round role for the right candidate.
The Schedule & Timeline
- Hiring Timeline: Interviews will be held in mid-April for a May start date.
- Summer Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
- Shifts: Open, Float, and Close shifts available.
- Harvest: Flexibility is required as production needs increase during the peak harvest window.
Primary Responsibilities
This role requires a versatile, "multitalented" approach, split between the cellar and the tasting room:
Tasting Room & Hospitality (Front of House)
- Greet guests and provide a memorable, educational tasting experience.
- Describe our wines and winery history; answer visitor questions with expertise.
- Handle routine sales transactions (POS) and wine club operations.
- Assist with retail displays, stocking, and maintaining a pristine facility.
Cellar & Production (Back of House)
- Assist in day-to-day cellar operations: sanitation, barrel work, and bottling prep.
- Provide winemaking support during harvest: grape receiving, crushing, and pressing.
- Participate in wine tasting at all stages to assist in evaluation and treatments.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of winemaking procedures and record-keeping.
Qualifications
- Experience: Previous wine-related experience or high-end hospitality is helpful but not required for someone with a strong work ethic.
- Skills: Proficiency in POS systems and Microsoft Office; strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills; professional appearance and demeanor.
- Physical: Must be able to lift 50 lbs, work on your feet for extended periods, and navigate a working winery environment (ladders, wet floors, varied temperatures).
- Requirements: Must be at least 21 years of age.
Who You Are
- You love Truckee and have a genuine interest in the science and craft of wine.
- You are flexible, detail-oriented, and ready to tackle new projects as they arise.
- You excel in a team environment but can also work independently.