WineTalent is working with our confidential client on a Viticulturist search
About the Company: WineTalent has been working with this client consistently for the last 20 years. It is an estate winery dedicated to the highest quality wines that represent the Napa Valley’s terroir and excellence in the world of wine. The team is a close-knit group of wine and vineyard professionals, with many years of experience at the company.
About the Position: The Viticulturist is a key figure in ensuring the exceptional quality of the vineyard operations and, ultimately, the grapes produced for high-quality wine. Reporting directly to the Vineyard Director, this role demands a meticulous, hands-on approach to vineyard management, ensuring that all processes are executed at the highest level of precision and care. This individual will foster strong cross-functional relationships with the Vineyard Foreman, Assistant Vineyard Foreman, Mechanic, Lab Manager, and other key team members, while leading a dedicated team of vineyard monitors and interns. The role emphasizes quality control, innovation, sustainability, and safety to uphold the integrity of our vineyard.
Core Responsibilities:
- Vineyard Operations and Quality Control: Maintain a daily presence in the vineyard to ensure operations meet the highest standards for grape production.
- Collaborate closely with the Vineyard Foreman to clarify instructions, monitor execution, and verify that all tasks, from pruning to harvest, are performed with precision.
- Conduct in-depth checks through counts and measurements (e.g., bud numbers, crop loads), providing detailed reports to the Vineyard Director and vineyard management team.
- Continuously assess vineyard practices and propose new methods to improve vine health, fruit quality, and operational efficiency.
- Lead training for vineyard workers on techniques that enhance grape quality, vine sustainability, and the importance of safety protocols in all vineyard tasks.
- Vineyard Monitoring and Data Collection (“Eyes of the Vineyard”):
- Oversee the comprehensive monitoring of vineyard conditions, acting as the principal resource for real-time insights into vine health, pest activity, and disease threats.
- Implement advanced monitoring techniques to track vine nutrition, hydration, stress and disease levels, ensuring rapid identification and resolution of potential issues.
- Develop and refine data collection protocols, integrating the latest technology (Sentinel, GPS) to create detailed disease and environmental stress maps.
- Work with a team of vineyard employees to conduct regular scouting and ensure consistent, high-quality monitoring, analyzing results to optimize vineyard management strategies.
- Sustainability and Innovation:
- Drive sustainability initiatives that align with long-term vine health and production goals, including dry farming practices, and water conservation techniques.
- Research and implement new technologies and AI applications to improve vineyard efficiency, grape quality, and environmental impact.
- Champion innovative solutions for managing rising temperatures, reducing pesticide usage, and enhancing vineyard biodiversity.
- Collaborate with the Vineyard Director to identify and test new equipment, ensuring all tools contribute to maintaining the high standards of grape quality and sustainability.
- Team Leadership and Collaboration:
- Foster a collaborative environment across teams, ensuring smooth coordination between the vineyard team, lab, and mechanical staff.
- Lead the training and development of vineyard team captains, interns, and full-time vineyard monitors, providing mentorship and oversight to maintain operational excellence.
- Work with the Assistant Vineyard Foreman to manage and optimize the performance of vineyard crews, ensuring a cohesive and motivated team.
- Coordinate the daily activities of interns and vineyard monitoring staff, delegating tasks and ensuring accuracy and consistency in all vineyard data collection and reporting.
- Safety and Compliance:
- Ensure the implementation and enforcement of safety protocols across all vineyard operations, with a specific focus on pesticide application, equipment handling, and labor safety standards.
- Maintain thorough records of pesticide applications, ensuring full compliance with local and federal regulations.
- Conduct regular safety trainings for the vineyard team and lead by example in prioritizing a safe working environment for all staff.
- Regularly audit vineyard operations to ensure they meet both quality and safety standards and address any discrepancies swiftly.
- Research, Development, and Reporting:
- Lead research projects aimed at improving disease control, vine health, and overall vineyard sustainability, using data-driven methods and innovative technologies.
- Produce detailed reports on vineyard performance, highlighting areas of success and opportunities for improvement, and communicate findings to the Vineyard Director and key stakeholders.
- Stay abreast of the latest industry trends, research, and best practices, applying new knowledge to continually improve the quality and sustainability of vineyard operations.
Qualifications and Profile:
- Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture, Agriculture, Plant Science or related discipline.
- Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in vineyard management, with a strong emphasis on quality control, data-driven monitoring, and sustainability practices.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency with vineyard technology such as Sentinel, GPS, and AI-driven tools for data collection and analysis. Knowledge of disease mapping and precision viticulture is essential.
- Leadership: Proven experience in team management and collaboration across departments. Ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a team focused on achieving the highest standards of vineyard performance.
- Innovation and Sustainability: Demonstrated experience in implementing cutting-edge viticultural practices to improve vine health, reduce environmental impact, and enhance fruit quality.
- Attention to Detail: Strong organizational and reporting skills, with the ability to track and manage multiple projects and vineyard tasks simultaneously.
- Safety-Conscious: In-depth understanding of vineyard safety regulations and best practices, particularly regarding pesticide use and labor safety.
- Language: Fluency in English and Spanish required.
- Desirable Attributes:
- Experience working in vineyards known for producing high-quality, premium wines.
- A passion for sustainability and innovation in agriculture, with a forward-thinking mindset that aligns with the winery’s values.
Compensation and Benefits:
- This is a full-time, salaried position.
- Salary range is $70,000 to $80,000, dependent on experience and may be subject to change to meet needs of the search.
- Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical, dental, vision and life insurance. Additional benefits include 401(K) with employer match, HSA, PTO, holiday pay, and discretionary bonus program.
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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