Harvest Internships
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Contract
Owen Roe Winery
Wapato,
Washington
Owen Roe WA is looking for interested, motivated, and dedicated individuals to help us with the 2017 harvest season at our new Union Gap, Washington winery. At our facility, we process ultra-premium fruit in small batches. This is a fantastic educational opportunity for people looking to expand their experience in the wine industry, as you will be involved in nearly every aspect of the winemaking process. Harvest interns are critical members of the winemaking team during these months and will be directly impacting wine quality. These positions usually last from late August through mid October (season dependent) and will require working on one’s feet for extended periods of time, as well as the ability to lift 50 lbs repeatedly. Prior experience is preferred, but not required. However, we do require the ability to learn safe cellar practices and to understand and perform basic math and measurements. Forklift experience is a big plus. A good demeanor and sense of humor are especially critical at this time of the year!
Responsibilities will include:
Cleaning and preparation of sorting equipment, fermenter bins (48" macro bins), picking bins, and more using mild cleaners (p-carb solution, citric solution, and water) and brushes
Sorting grape clusters on a sorting line
Daily fermentation cap management - our active red ferments are manually punched down twice a day
Daily rearrangement of ferment hall to maximize space and to help manage fermentation temperatures
Responsibilities may include (DOE):
Barrel washing with a pressure washer and steamer, utilizing associated tools and attachments
Cleaning and preparing pumps, hoses, and tanks for juice and wine
Moving and stacking barrels, bins, fermenters, and equipment by use of a manual pallet jack, electric pallet jack, and/or forklift (prior certification required)
Berry sampling and basic vineyard work
Assisting with late summer bottling
Racking juice or wine between tanks and barrels
Assisting with press operations using bladder press or French Coquard bucket presses
Assisting lab staff with analyses, inoculations, additions, data entry, and the collection of daily numbers (brix and temperatures)
Candidates will take winery hygiene and the listed responsibilities very seriously. This position requires genuine physical work and stamina. Depending on the flow of the season, there is potential for long shifts and/or overtime. Transportation and housing will be the responsibilities of prospective hires. Lunches will be provided daily. Pay will be $12/hr or more depending on experience.
