Job Status: Filled

General Manager (Wine Jobs: Management & Administration)

Full Time

  Phantom Creek Estates

  Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, New York

We are searching for a GM for a new winery called Phantom Creek Estates in the southern Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. The position will report to James Cluer MW and the owner.

We own a 60 acre vineyard on the Black Sage Bench that is the most awarded vineyard in British Columbia, primarily planted to Bordeaux varietals. We also own a 7 acre vineyard on the west side of Black Sage road, next to Black Hills winery. This vineyard, originally named Phantom Creek, has won Best Red Wine in Canada on multiple occassions. Together, these 2 vineyards represent some of the best terroirs in Canada.

An architectural design has been finalized by the leading winery architectural firm owned by Howard Backen in Napa Valley who has designed many of the top Napa estates. The design represents what will be a benchmark winery not only in Canada but around the world. Ledcor, the number #1 builder in BC, has also been contracted and is in pre-construction work with the architects.

This summer we built a fully equipped temporary winery with state-of-the-art equipment and are currently making our first vintage of super premium Bordeaux reds. Our current winemaking team includes Cameron Vawter, recipient of three 100 point scores for his Napa Valley reds at a cult estate, Dana, and Annie Vawter, a Consultant Winemaker to multiple wineries and prodigee of Heidi Barrett. We also have a talented full time permanent winemaker Ross Wise from New Zealand, an Assistant Winemaker, and cellar hands.

The vineyard is operated by John Pires who has farmed the site for 16 years, and Richard Cleave, the pioneer of vinifera plantings in the southern Okanagan.

Our marketing team includes a Marketing Manager, aided by a branding specialist company Hyphen Communications who developed the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and several other major brands and events. A brand has been developed. We have an Export Manager dedicated to the USA and China, although our focus markets are in British Columbia.

We have a finance team with fully developed financial plans and administrative support in place. The team also includes another Master of Wine, and legal advisement.      

With the hands-on owner we are also developing another property in Richmond, close to Vancouver, where we are in advanced stages of business planning and moving to the next stage of the property development. Effectively we are building 2 wineries simultaneously.  

A global search is underway to find a General Manager. We are looking for someone to lead and develop our team in the creation of two first class wineries where quality is of paramount importance in every single aspect of what we do. Effectively we are looking for an experienced, charismatic leader - a Robert Mondavi of Canada.

Applicants must have:

A proven track record running a winery and developing a luxury brand

A core competency in marketing, sales and general management

In-depth knowledge of viticulture and winemaking

An ability to oversee the financial management of the business

Ideally you have built wineries from scratch.

Be a charismatic personality and a grreat team leader, ideally with impressive credentials and/or track record.

Have a global network of key contacts in the industry including key media and major Buyers for icon accounts.

Ideally have relationships in B.C. and other key provinces in Canada together with knowledge of the Canadian marketplace, rules and regulations.

Be willing to live in the Okanagan, Penticton or south, and start within the next 2-3 months. Regular travel to Richmond will be required for the winery there and to visit the Vancouver market.

Be committed to the long term.

This is one of the most exciting opportunities in the wine industry and we welcome applications from highly qualified candidates.  

Compensation will be attractive.


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