Vintage Cellar Hand
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Contract
Wolfville,
Nova Scotia
Job Offer: Intern for harvest 2015 at Benjamin Bridge Winery
The Benjamin Bridge vineyards are located in the heart of the Gaspereau Valley on the Bay of Fundy, where the cool climate bears an uncanny affinity with the Champagne region of France. Our experienced winemakers work in collaboration with international experts to produce world-class Méthode Classique sparkling wines and limited edition luxury wines.
We are looking for an intern to help us during the harvest 2015.
As cellar hand you will assist in the coordination of harvest, including determining harvest timing as well as organizing and overseeing processing. You will also conduct laboratory testing to monitor the quality of wine produced and assist winemakers in all duties during harvest. You will work closely with our winemakers, gain experience working with organically grown cool-climate fruit, and be a part of classic method sparkling wine production. Your duties as cellar hand are as follows:
General:
• Oversee daily operations and maintenance of cellar and lab in order to meet production requirements and schedules.
• Liaise with winemakers and vineyard manager to determine the correct time for harvest.
• 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.
• Carry out winery research work, including experimentation, documentation, and presentation.
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.
• 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:
• Generate and maintain written records of grape harvest.
• Maintain all records of laboratory tests.
Qualifications:
- Be a student enrolled in a post-secondary winemaking program.
- Have a Canadian driver’s licence.
- 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.
- Preference will be given to a Canadian or permanent resident.
