Vineyard Foreman and Vineyard Operators (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Phantom Creek Estates (http://www.phantomcreekestates.com)

  Oliver, British Columbia

Phantom Creek Estates is located on the Black Sage Bench in the South Okanagan.  Here we farm exceptional wines from some of the region’s historic vineyards, including Phantom Creek and Sundial Vineyards. All of our estate vineyards are currently in the transition process to organic and biodynamic certification.  

We are looking for one Vineyard Foreman and two Vineyard Operators to join our Viticulture team in January 2018. Successful applicants will be hard working, detail oriented, and uncompromising when it comes to quality.  Phantom Creek offers a supportive work environment, with the opportunity for team members to grow and develop within the company. 

(1) VINEYARD FOREMAN

Reporting to the Viticulturist, the Vineyard Foreman is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a 63-acre estate vineyard. The Vineyard Foreman will ensure his/her property continues to meet company viticultural standards, objectives, and goals on an ongoing basis.

Key responsibilities:

Vineyard Management and Crew Supervision

• Providing both training and supervision to the vineyard crews. 
• Responsible for training and supervision of a Vineyard Operator/Tractor Driver.
• Responsible for the day to day work flow in the Vineyard.
• Overseeing all vineyard establishment and replanting. 
• Responsible for ensuring all irrigation, spray, nutrient, canopy management and pruning plans are precisely executed per the specifications of the Viticulturist.

Administrative Duties

• Record keeping for all vineyard activities. 
• Responsible for spray records. 
• Responsible for ensuring materials and supplies are well stocked. 
• Assisting the Viticulturist in developing the annual vineyard operating budget. 
• Monitoring and record keeping of crew hours and timesheets. 

Property Management

• Ensuring any on site buildings are kept maintained and in good condition year-round. 
• Ensuring the estate property is kept immaculately presented at all times.
• Ensuring all machinery and equipment is maintained and repaired as necessary.

Job Qualifications:

• Formal qualification in viticulture preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years vineyard experience.
• Experience operating and maintaining tractors and vineyard machinery.
• Proven people management skills. 
• Ability to speak Spanish an advantage.
• Experience with or enthusiasm for organic and biodynamic viticulture.

This is a full-time, salaried position.

(2) VINEYARD OPERATOR (two positions)

Reporting to the Vineyard Foreman, the Vineyard Operators are responsible for tractor and vineyard work in their assigned vineyard(s).

Key responsibilities:

Tractor Work

• Perform vineyard tractor work as directed by the Vineyard Foreman.
• Tractor work can include mulching, mowing, cultivating, disking, spraying, hedging, compost spreading, seeding, harvesting, or operation of other vineyard implements. 
• Maintenance of all vineyard tractors and machinery.
• Repairs to vineyard tractors and machinery as required. 

Vineyard Work

• Assisting the crew with seasonal vineyard tasks as required, including pruning, shoot-thinning, tucking, wire lifting, leaf removal, fruit thinning, etc.
• Trellis establishment and repairs.
• Assisting with Organic and Biodynamic operations.

Job Qualifications: 

• Vineyard and tractor experience preferred
• Mechanical aptitude
• Good verbal communication skills
• High attention to detail

This is a full-time, hourly position. 

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