WineTalent is working with our confidential clients on Winemaker searches
About the Companies: WineTalent is working with several California luxury estate wineries on Winemaker searches. These positions are working with quality vineyards managed by the wineries, producing world class wines. Positions are in the Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, Sierra Foothills and Central Coast areas.
About the Positions: The Winemakers will be very hands-on vintners, working closely with the vineyard team, routinely checking on the vineyards and making picking decisions. The Winemakers will be responsible for all winemaking from grape receipt through to cellaring, bottling and warehousing. The Winemakers will also be ambassadors for the brands in trade and consumer events, as well as with media and VIPs.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee all winemaking duties at the winery. Handle all winemaking duties from receipt of grapes through to fermentation, barreling, cellaring, bottling and inventory management.
- Partner with the vineyard manager on viticultural practices, farming decisions and harvest planning.
- Supervise cellar crew throughout year
- Plan and carry out bottling operations including ordering all supplies, labels, as well as maintaining appropriate cellar staffing levels.
- Interviewing, hiring and managing harvest staff.
- Work with winery staff on marketing and consumer sales efforts.
- Regularly attend trade and consumer events, acting as an ambassador of the wines and supporting the sales effort of the brands.
- Manage winemaking and cellar operations to an approved budget, notifying management of significant budgetary changes as necessary.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture and Enology, Fermentation Science, Chemistry or closely related discipline. Advanced degrees also highly desirable.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in winemaking roles with increasing responsibilities.
- Proven track record of producing critically acclaimed wines.
- Ability to perform cellar and bottling operations including moving barrels, using a forklift and a mechanical aptitude to troubleshoot issues as needed.
- Keen ability to work with all members within a company and outside vendors.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills
- Spanish language skills highly desirable.
Compensation and Benefits:
- These are full-time, salaried positions. The salary range for each role is $125,000 to $150,000.
- Competitive salary plus incentive bonus. Benefits include medical, dental, vision and life insurance. Additional benefits include 401(K) with employer match and/or Company Sponsored IRA, HSA, PTO, and holiday pay.
About WineTalent: WineTalent is a wine industry focused recruitment company. We work closely with our clients and our job seekers to find the right fit of talents, experience and work environment. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.
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