2018 Winemaking Intern (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

Full Time

  Sugarloaf Crush

  Santa Rosa, California

Sugarloaf Custom Crush, a brand new custom crush winery located just outside of Kenwood on Sonoma Highway. We provide an ultra-premium, state-of-the art winemaking facility where our clients craft their wines. A commitment to excellence and the highest standard of care is required in order to enjoy the trust of our discerning clientele. At Sugarloaf, you will be working alongside world renowned consulting winemakers producing ultra-premium wines from the classical and the not so classical varieties. You will be offered the unique opportunity to see a myriad of different winemaking techniques. Start date for our interns is August 6 (flexible) and will last til around mid-November (fruit dependent).

General Description:
Sugarloaf Custom Crush is seeking qualified individuals to serve as winemaking interns for Harvest 2018 Internships will begin early in August and conclude around mid-November, depending on Mother Nature. The right candidates are energetic and highly motivated, with outstanding attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile for our clients. We want to make this harvest position different than other wineries so we are giving the harvest employees full responsibility/ownership of dedicated fermentations from Crush Pad to Barrel while under supervision.

Description, Duties, and Responsibilities: 

  • These seasonal positions will work under the direction of our Director of Winemaking and seasoned Sugarloaf cellar staff. You will be working side-by-side with each of them, assisting with all aspects of the winemaking processes. These are comprehensive internships exposing you to many aspects of winemaking and production, including but not limited to:
  • Grape receiving, sorting and processing
  • Juice and wine rackings and transfers
  • Yeast, nutrient and acid additions to juice and wine
  • Daily pump-overs and punch-downs
  • Cleaning and sanitation of equipment
  • Operating both positive displacement and air pumps
  • Wine barrel maintenance, preparation and filling
  • Forklift driving (training provided)
  • Daily fermentation checks (Brix and Temps)
  • Pulling samples for lab analyses
  • Assisting with maintaining and cleaning the lab and production area
  • Performing other duties as assigned

Qualifications: 

  • Degree or coursework in winemaking/fermentation sciences is a plus
  • Must commit to working full-time plus extended harvest hours through our harvest season
  • Must be highly organized with acute attention to details
  • Ability to communicate effectively in English
  • Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment, safely
  • Ability to work flexible and extended hours on short notice
  • Must have a valid driver’s license with good driving record with a car to get to and from work
  • Must be at least 21 years of age and have legal United States work status

Work Environment Requirements:

  • Ability to work in confined spaces and high places
  • Ability to stand for long periods of time
  • Ability to lift 50 lbs repeatedly 
  • Work with chemicals that require protective equipment (goggles, gloves, etc.)
  • Ability to sit, stand, and walk on uneven surfaces for extended periods of time
  • Perform work duties inside and outdoors
  • International applicants will have to obtain a J-1 VISA through CAEP.org

Please provide a résumé with references and cover letter in Microsoft Word or PDF format.


Hourly pay will depend on level of experience

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