ASSISTANT WINE MAKER – FULL TIME

Wilson Creek Winery is a family-owned winery in the heart of Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country known for its quality wines and warm hospitality. The winery features a welcoming tasting room, full-service restaurant with vineyard view dining and expansive patio, creek side picnic area, indoor and outdoor conference and event spaces, romantic wedding venue and exclusive retreat accommodations.

Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards is currently looking for a full-time Assistant Wine Maker in Temecula, CA.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Winemaker is responsible for assisting with the day-to-day cellar operations and will assist in the winemaking process. Must understand all process in winemaking from growing grapes to delivering the product to the customer.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 4 or more years’ experience in large-scale and boutique wine production.
• Monitor and maintain wine quality using laboratory analysis and sensory evaluation.
• Mechanical ability and experience operating forklifts and tractors.
• An understanding and ability to run standard winemaking lab tests, such as Dissolved Oxygen, TA, PH, So2 along with sensory evaluation.
• Ability to use test results to determine chemical additions for winemaking tasks such as So2 and fining.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in both English and Spanish.
• Ability to keep and update records in wine management software.
• Proven problem solver.
• Physical ability to move 75lb barrels as well as the typical physical demands of cellar and winery production work.
• High level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness with strong work ethic and the ability to work independently with minimal direction.
• Ability to relate to and communicate with all kinds of people in a personable, professional, and effective manner.
• Organizational, project management and leadership skills.
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: include the following non-inclusive list. Other duties may be assigned. Nothing in this job description reflects management’s right to assign or reassign duties to this job at any time. All duties are to be performed in compliance with Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards policies and procedures.

• Working alongside of Winemaker in all aspects of production including vineyard, processing grapes, filtering and bottling wines, and cleaning equipment.
• Ensure production plans and quality parameters are met in terms of bottling, lab analysis follow-up from daily wine work, blending and other cellar operations.
• Assist with cellar process management of grapes, juices and wines including chemical additions, rack, transfers, clarification, blends, and shipping final preparations for bottling.
• Conduct fining trials, defect mitigation processes and general wine risk assessments.
• Identify aromas and flavors in wines and recommend treatments to improve wine quality through batching and tasting inventory.
• Ensure the development of the winemaking process and provide input and make decisions for the grapes received, crushing, pressing and fermentation process.
• Conduct market and competitive research as needed.
• Any other related duty as assigned by immediate supervisor.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision to distance.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.