Assistant Winemaker
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
1842 White Rock Rd, Wolfville, Nova Scotia,
Nova Scotia
Benjamin Bridge VIneyards is Nova Scotia's ultra premium sparkling wine house. We are looking to hire an assistant wine maker that is a graduate of a post-secondary winemaking program. Previous vintage cellar work would be considered an asset. The permanent position is available full time, beginning Spring 2014 (flexible start date).
The assistant winemaker hired for this position will assist in the coordination of harvest, including determining harvest timing as well as organizing and overseeing processing. They will also conduct laboratory testing to monitor the quality of wine produced and assist the winemaker in all bottling prep work as well as during bottling. The assistant winemaker will have the opportunity to work closely with our head winemaker, gain experience working with organically grown cool-climate fruit, and be a part of classic method sparkling wine production.
Responsibilities:
General
• Oversee daily operations and maintenance of cellar and lab in order to meet production requirements and schedules.
• Liaise with winemaker and vineyard manager, who manage planting programs and the cultivation and production of grapes, to determine the correct time for harvest.
• Co-ordinate with vineyard manager and external growers for the procurement of grapes, including frequent trips across the Annapolis Valley.
• Organize the crushing and pressing of grapes, the settling of juice, and the fermentation of grape material.
• Supervise vineyard/cellar personnel involved in the production of wine. • Assist the winemaker to prepare logistical bottling plan and supervise a manual
and/or automated bottling line
• Help prepare the wines prior to bottling by assisting in tasting, blending, fining, filtration and laboratory testing and participate in procedures.
Lab work:
• Examine grape samples to ascertain the presence and extent of such factors as sugar, acid contents and ripeness.
• Conduct various laboratory tests to monitor the process of grapes, to ensure their quality, such as performing routine analyses of musts and wines.
• Coordinate testing and crushing grapes, fermenting juice, and finishing of wine, including, cooling and filtering.
• Appropriately calibrate and standardize all equipment and lab chemicals. • Collects samples for analysis and trials. • Prepare bench-scale trials, microbiology and sensory evaluations. • Communicate any “out of range” results to cellar lead and winemaking team.
Safety:
• Monitor and maintain cleanliness of winery and ensure regular maintenance of equipment.
• Actively maintain a clean, orderly, and safe laboratory work area while observing all safety rules.
• Ensure cellar and vineyard personnel observe health and safety procedures. Recordkeeping:
• Maintain written procedures for cellar operations, equipment operation, and safety training
• Generate and maintain written records of grape harvest. • Maintain all records of laboratory tests.
Qualifications:
• Be a graduate of a post-secondary winemaking program with professional oenological and viticultural experience.
• Be capable and willing to participate in physically demanding tasks, at times.
• Have a Canadian driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Be organized and detail-oriented with strong analytical skills and the ability to multi-task and adapt.
• Have efficient understanding of spreadsheet applications (such as Microsoft Excel) for the proper handling/archiving of all data collected in the work environment.
• During the busy-times of harvest and bottling, display flexibility regarding the possibility of a temporary work schedule outside standard business hours.
• Be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Have a willingness to take direction from others in a young work environment.
• Have good people skills and the ability to interact with the public.
Base Salary: $32,000-40,000 (commensurate with experience)
Benefits:
Three weeks paid vacation and five paid sick days
Group medical insurance, including health, dental and disability