Director of Vineyards

Description

Job Title: Director of Vineyards

FLSA Classification/Pay Type: Exempt/Salary

Salary Grade: $70,000-$90,000 DOE

Reports To (Title): Director of Wine Projects

Date Created or Revised: 09-23-25

Summary

We are a premium wine company headquartered in Texas and encompassing six industry-leading brands: William Chris, Skeleton Key, Grower Project, Yes We Can Wine/Sway Rosé, Uplift Vineyards and our newest brand in the portfolio, Wine For the People.

We don’t follow trends, we create them. We are the leading-producer of Texas-grown wine. We’re on a strong trajectory for future growth and brand expansion, and we are looking for ways to share a piece of our world with more people.

The Director of the Vineyards is responsible for providing leadership and expertise to the Vineyard Operations team at both the Hye Estate and Uplift Vineyards locations. They are responsible for planning and directing, on an annual and multi-year basis, all grape growing necessary to achieve high quality wine production, and a balance inventory with maximum yields.

Requirements

Essential functions Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Leads the Vineyard Operations team, provides focus as required, and ensures accountability for job responsibilities.
• Assure that grapes are grown for optimum quality and exhibit the characteristics typical of the variety, region, vineyard and/or any other specifications established for a blend or brand.
• Maintain a database of grape production, crop estimates, and other information with the purpose of monitoring ongoing activities as well as developing future grape supply strategies.
• Communicate to owners the status of vineyard activities
• Provides leadership in the evaluation of grape quality for the purpose of grape improvement
• Ensures adherence to the highest quality standards for each vineyard, an orderly flow of work, and the integrity of the final product.
• Manage the annual harvest logistics planning processes
• Makes sure all safety procedures and requirements are followed.
• Responsible for making sure that crop estimates are performed and achieves accuracy within 10% on a block-by-block basis for each location.
  
  

Other Duties

• Supervises the Grounds & Maintenance crew
• Additional duties as assigned
  
  

Competencies

• Should possess strong leadership, training, problem solving, and decision-making skills
• Ability to form, facilitate and maintain internal and cross functional teams.
• Well-developed organizational and communication skills
• Excellent vineyard problem-solving ability
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position is expected to supervise one or more employees, including managers.
  
  

Work environment

• Outdoors (non-air-conditioned, various locations)
• ?Works in warm/cold climates
• Is exposed to loud noise, fumes and/or toxic chemicals
• Works near moving, mechanical parts and lift truck traffic
  
  

Physical demands

• Extended periods of sitting at a desk, using a computer and phone
• Ability to negotiate uneven, outdoor surfaces
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally, using telephones, and with electronic means (email, social media, etc.)
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift and move objects up to 50 lbs. on a regular basis
• Ability to work in various weather conditions, including hot and cold weather
  
  

Travel and remote work

• This position will require occasional travel to off-site locations, but does not require overnight travel except on occasion for events or training
• This position requires on-site work on a regular basis
• Travel to and from the main worksite (daily commute) is at the expense of the employee and is not considered time worked
• Travel between sites during the workday is considered time worked
  
  

Required Education And Experience

• 8 years in viticulture/agriculture
• 3 years supervisory experience
• Ability to use MS office, and Computer Databases
• Bachelor’s degree
• Spanish skills highly preferred
  
  

Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Must be able to work with employees at all levels within the company
• Must be creative, outgoing, attentive to detail and possess great communication (verbal, written, electronic, listening) skills
• Must have excellent customer service skills
• Responds to and works well under pressure and deadlines
• Excellent time management skills and dependability are required
• Good office technology skills (Phones, computers, office applications and systems)
• Must have the ability to multitask and complete duties, tasks, and projects, despite interruptions
• Work schedule is typically Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm, but may require off-hours and weekend work if necessary to achieve required results. We are particularly busy during holiday seasons and on weekends, and it will be necessary to be available during those times, on occasion.
• Must maintain a sense of urgency and positivity
• Ability to effectively work on teams
• Must be a self-starter and complete duties, tasks, and projects with little or no supervision
  
  

Work authorization

This job is not eligible for visa sponsorship. It is the policy of William Chris Wine Company to provide equal employment

opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.