Cellar Assistant (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

Job Description:

Bending Branch Winery is looking for an experienced, hardworking, and meticulous Cellar Assistant. This position will follow our winemaker’s guidance and help with all duties involved with the winemaking process.

Responsibilities:

•  Sorting, crushing and pressing
•  Sanitation of all winery equipment
•  Receive and unload grapes from trucks and load/push them through processing machinery
•  Assist machinery mechanics with the cleaning of machine parts and tanks
•  Must, juice and wine additions
•  Pump-overs and punch-downs
•  Tank and Press dig-outs and sanitation
•  Barrel maintenance: racking, sulfuring, topping, and stirring
•  Fermentation monitoring
•  Assist with lab work, when required
•  Assist with bottling and packaging
•  Any other tasks within the cellar or on the property to assist with the cellar team or Bending Branch Management Team
•  Barrel filling and cellar organization
•  Proper use and handling of winery chemicals and additives
•  Assist with special events and harvest duties as needed
•  Vineyard work as required

Required Skills:

•  Able to work safely in busy production environment around equipment and chemicals
•  Good communication skills, able to communicate with supervisors and co-workers (bilingual Spanish and English a plus)
•  Ability to operate a tractor and forklift
•  Good attention to detail and quality
•  Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands, demonstrate the highest level of customer/client service and response

Physical/Mental Requirements:

•  Able to work long periods while walking and standing
•  Able to climb stairs and ladders multiple times / day
•  Must be able to walk across wet concrete, step over hoses; intermittent work outside in varying weather conditions
•  Able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly

Schedule Requirements:

•  Flexible schedule, ability to work long hours, various shifts and weekends
•  During harvest, at times, we operate two shifts, which include late and overnights, partial shifts and weekends
Education & Experience / Licenses & Certification:
•  Bachelor’s Degree preferred, but not required
•  Minimum age requirement of 21 when working within winemaking
•  Prior experience working in a winery cellar preferred
•  Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English fluently
•  History of responsible use of alcohol and other appropriate conduct, as well as fitness to be licensed, permitted, and/or certified by state and/or local regulatory bodies

Benefits:

•  Health insurance
•  Paid time off
•  Holiday pay
•  Employee discount