2020 Seasonal Winemaking Internship (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Dehlinger Winery

  Sebastopol, California

2020 Seasonal Winemaking Internship

Dehlinger is a small, family run winery that has been in operation since 1975. Our wines have a national reputation that outstrips our physical size. We focus on producing the highest quality Estate grown Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Dehlinger Ranch in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley.

We are seeking a highly motivated seasonal winemaking intern to join our staff for 2020. The ideal candidate has both cellar and laboratory experience.

The Dehlinger internship program is very rewarding and offers the opportunity to work closely with the winemaking team in a quality focused intellectual environment. Our program is dynamic and includes many aspects of the vineyard, cellar and laboratory.

Our intern can expect training and experience in the following:
•  Crop estimation
•  Vine maturity sampling
•  Grape harvesting
•  Fruit processing: including destemmer and press operation
•  Inoculations using different yeast strains
•  Fermentation monitoring
•  Cap management: punchdowns & pumpovers
•  Tank and equipment sanitation
•  Barrel work (racking, cleaning & filling)
•  Forklift operation
•  Bottling assistance
•  Laboratory work: at least one day per week during peak harvest and filling in when needed
•  Record keeping (paper record keeping and entry into VinTrace winemaking software)

The preferred start date is mid-July but the start date is flexible due to the proximity to this time. The projected end date is sometime between the week of November 23rd and December 18th. The actual end date is dependent on the season.

Ideal qualifications:
•  Passion for wine and a desire to have a career in the wine industry
•  Coursework in Viticulture and Enology
•  Cellar experience, at least one vintage
•  Laboratory experience
•  Forklift experience
•  Strong work ethic and a positive attitude
•  Physical stamina to complete tasks
•  Ability to work long and variable hours
•  Ability to perform strenuous physical tasks, such as lifting up to 50 pounds, repetitive movements, bending down, and ascend/descend ladders
•  Reliability and schedule flexibility
•  Ability to lawfully work in the USA.

Because we have a small staff, our intern must be dependable, adaptable and be able to commit to the internship and not drop out prior to or during harvest.

During the peak harvest period, our intern will be expected to work 5 or 6 days a week.

Compensation is $18 per hour with overtime based on California law.

We can also offer rental accommodation at Dehlinger’s shared house ‘The Vine Hill Inn’. The Vine Hill Inn is within walking distance to the Dehlinger Winery. The fully furnished rooms are available at a rate of $700 per month for Dehlinger staff.

To apply you must include all three of the following items:

1. Cover letter with the following:
•  Tell us about yourself and your past and present wine experience.
•  Let us know what you believe you can contribute to our team and what you would hope to get out of an internship with Dehlinger.
•  Include the dates you are available to work.
•  Please state what specific lab experience you have (if any).
•  Please state if the rental accommodation is of interest.

2. Resume with Multiple References.