Carboy Winery is Colorado’s fastest-growing wine operation in one of the next frontiers in American winemaking, expanding to four locations in five years. Since 2016 our award-winning wines have helped lift the Colorado wine industry into prominence as a wine region ripe with possibilities. This new frontier provides many unique opportunities for innovative and ambitious winemaking. Carboy Winery brings a distinctive and adventurous style to traditional American wine with estate vineyards in both Colorado and Washington. Our goal is to create wines that reveal the sustainable growing conditions, extraordinary terroir, and unmistakable typicity of Colorado's Grand Valley and Washington's Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Behind our rapid growth is a strong culture centered on our people and genuine hospitality. Our culture enables and empowers our employees and partners to do their most impactful work as effortlessly as possible enabling us to achieve our mission and ultimately enhancing employee retention, satisfaction, and growth.
JOB SUMMARY
The Winemaker will report to the Senior Winemaker/Director of Winemaking and will be directly responsible for the day-to-day winemaking, maintenance of wine quality, as well as directing and training of the winemaking staff. Key areas of responsibility include support and facilitation between various production teams and sites (including lab, winemaking, and cellar), ensuring priorities and protocols are achieved, cost effectiveness, accuracy, and safety to all performance standards. The Winemaker will have responsibility in making the wines at the Littleton facility, but could be asked to fill in at other facilities on an as-needed basis.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Directly responsible for varietal winemaking from grape to finished product. Varietal responsibility will be determined by Senior Winemaker/Director of Winemaking.
Work with the Senior Winemaker / Director of Winemaking to develop varietal program guidelines.
Ensure wines are meeting target sensory and analytical quality requirements.
Direct lab analysis based on wine needs. Must have strong analytical background to run analysis in lab techs absence, or when requested. Use lab results to be able to properly maintain wine quality.
Participates in short and long-term planning of finishing/blending wines in Littleton and other Carboy facilities.
Set priorities according to customer demand. The customer demands can frequently change so flexibility is key.
Directly work with the Vineyard Team to assess vine health and grape quality.
Develop strategies to help improve incoming grape quality.
Aid in decision-making process as to when fruit should be picked.
Complete blending/fining trials, or other experiments.
Work with Senior Winemaker/Director of Winemaking and Operations Team on forecasting and ordering of winemaking supplies. Will play a role in developing winemaking material annual budget.
Assist Operations Team with oversight of Cellar Operations when needed. Direct work and staff to get job done efficiently while keeping wine quality in mind.
Key driver of all Safety policies and procedures for the site. This includes overseeing safety audits, incident investigations, implementation of Company-wide safety policies and relevant safety training. Must lead by example.
OTHER FUNCTIONS
Must have complete understanding of enological process from grapes through blending. Exposure to a variety of winemaking methodology, wine styles and winemaking processes.
Oversee and train Assistant Winemakers, Enologists, and Interns.
Speaks well in front of groups. Represent brands and company well.
Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Must be well organized.
Excellent Organoleptic skills at all stages of the winemaking process.
Excellent aptitude and knowledge of wines.
Large winery experience. Understanding of Winery Operations.
Ability to oversee a department and manage team to overall success.
Prepare weekly/monthly reports regarding, but not limited to, wine processing, blend approval process, and forecasted volumes.
Attend seminars and classes for continual education.
Must embrace and demonstrate Carboy Winery's Vision, Mission, and Values of: Long-Term Sustainable Value Creation, while being Relentlessly Entrepreneurial, with Empowered People who are Responsible and Trustworthy and keep them in mind when making all decisions.
This job description reflects management’s assignment of general functions; it does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Must demonstrate leadership abilities. Proven track record of high integrity.
BS/BA in Enology/Viticulture, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, Microbiology, or equivalent education/work experience.
7 years minimum from graduation, multi-site experience (min 2 sites including external).
Must be 21 or older at time of hire.
Passionate about wine quality while understanding cost associated with processing to help make smart business decisions.
Good understanding of lab and wine processing equipment.
Comfortable in bargaining unit environments.
Adaptive and stable in changing environments.
Proven analytical thinker, complemented by subjectivity for proper decision making.
Proven resolution management skills.
Powerful oral and written communicator.
Keen listening skills.
Capable of managing multiple cross functional professionals.
Strong computer skills.
Must possess a strong understanding of ISO 9001-2000, HACCP, BRC, and IFS protocols.
Carboy Winery is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to an environment of mutual respect, diversity and inclusion. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristic protected by law.