Harvest Interns
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
Owen Roe Winery
Washington,
Washington
Owen Roe WA is looking for interested, motivated, and dedicated individuals to help us with the upcoming harvest season at our winery in the Yakima Valley of Washington State. At our facility, we process ultra-premium fruit in small batches. This is a fantastic educational opportunity for people looking to expand their experience in the wine industry, as you will be involved in nearly every aspect of the winemaking process. Harvest staff are critical members of the winemaking team during these months and will be directly impacting wine quality.
These positions usually last from late August through mid October (season dependent) and will require working on one’s feet for extended periods of time, as well as the ability to lift 50 lbs repeatedly. Prior experience is preferred, but not required. However, we do require the ability to learn safe cellar practices and to understand and perform basic math and measurements. Forklift experience is a big plus. A good demeanor, strong communication skills, and sense of humor are especially critical at this time of the year!
Responsibilities will include:
• Cleaning and preparation of sorting equipment, fermenter bins (48" macro bins), picking bins, and more using mild cleaners (p-carb solution, citric solution, and water)
and brushes
• Sorting grape clusters on a sorting line
• Daily fermentation cap management - our active red ferments are manually punched down twice a day
• Daily rearrangement of ferment hall to maximize space and to help manage fermentation temperatures
Responsibilities may include:
• Barrel washing with a pressure washer and steamer, utilizing associated tools and attachments
• Cleaning and preparing pumps, hoses, and tanks for juice and wine
• Moving and stacking barrels, bins, fermenters, and equipment by use of a manual pallet jack, electric pallet jack, and/or forklift (prior certification required)
• Berry sampling and basic vineyard work
• Assisting with late summer bottling
• Racking juice or wine between tanks and barrels
• Assisting with press operations using bladder press or French Coquard bucket presses
• Assisting lab staff with analyses, inoculations, additions, data entry, and the collection of daily numbers (brix and temperatures)
Candidates will take winery hygiene and the listed responsibilities very seriously. This position requires genuine physical work and stamina. Depending on the flow of the season, there is potential for long shifts and/or overtime. Housing will be provided for out-of-town interns and lunches will be provided daily. Pay is dependent upon experience.