Assistant Winemaker (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Rutherford Wine Company

  St. Helena, California

We are family-owned and managed; and for three generations our family has been committed to earth-friendly winegrowing. "Sustainable" viticulture which is not only good for the environment; it results in higher quality fruit, a prerequisite for crafting world-class wines.

We are in search of an Assistant Winemaker who will be involved in all winemaking activities for Rutherford Wine Company. This includes, but is not limited to, winemaking data management, coordinating harvest cellar activities, generating work orders and guidance for all cellar activities, understanding and assisting in lab analysis, coordinating bulk and finished wine tastings, making recommendations for wine additions and treatments, blending and coordinating and participating in tasting panels.

Principal Relationships:
Report to: Director of Winemaking
Supervises or manages: N/A
Interacts with: General Manager, Director of Winemaking, Associate Winemaker, Accounting, Lab, Cellar master, Cellar Crew and Bottling Line Crew

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•  Generates Cellar work orders as related to all winemaking activities.
•  Responsible for all winemaking data collection and spreadsheet management.
•  Maintains topping schedule in coordination with the Associate Winemaker, Cellar Master and Lab.
•  Assists in upkeeping barrel inventory with Enologist and Cellar Master.
•  Ensures wines to be bottled have proper chemical analysis and are compliant with labels.
•  Audits lab data for correctness. Works with the Enologist and Laboratory Technician to trouble shoot analytical errors.
•  Responsible for monitoring and tracking of wine chemistry and microbiology. This includes maintaining and adjusting SO2, monitoring VA, 4EP/4EG and other wine parameters as described in the winemaking protocols. 
•  Maintains a current and accurate list of all breakdown containers to ensure that all wine is cared for appropriately.
•  Harvest work order writing and daily fermentation monitoring. Identifying potential high-risk lots and develop a plan with Director of Winemaking for tracking and correcting issues.
•  Stays current with all new technologies and regulatory changes in the wine and grape industry.
•  Lead on Winemaking supplies list and ensures that inventories are current and always in stock.
•  Lead on Quality Control programs. This includes monitoring bottling line QC check data. 
•  As part of the winemaking team, will play a vital role in all aspects of wine production including, all production tastings, crush, fermentation, barrel aging and preparing final blends.
•  Able to communicate clearly and concisely instructions to all company employees.
•  Other projects as required.

Job Requirements:
Education/Experience:
•  Education: Educational background in Viticulture or Enology or advanced degree in Chemistry, Microbiology or science related field.
•  Three years winery experience winery including lab testing, analysis, microbiology and data or records management.
•  Knowledge of safety regulations related to laboratory environment.
•  Working knowledge of crush, cellar and barrel warehouse operations. 
•  Working knowledge of any winemaking software desired.
•  Possess strong computer proficiency in database applications and Windows software, especially Excel. 
Skills:
•  Ability to read, write, spell, and speak English.
•  Ability to follow oral and written directions; work well under pressure and time limits.
•  Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
•  Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with other staff members, vendors, customers, government agencies/personnel, and/or the general public.
•  Possess a valid driver’s license with good driving record.

Rutherford Wine Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Due to the high volume of applications received we regret that we are unable to reply to all inquiries about this position.