Assistant Winemaker

Location: Oliver, BC
Start Date: March–April 2026 (ideal, flexible based on availability)
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-time
Compensation: $55,000–$65,000 annually

Assistant Winemaker

Vasanti Estate Winery | South Okanagan

Why This Role Is Different

This is not a “harvest-only” or checkbox assistant winemaker role.

At Vasanti Estate Winery, you’ll be deeply involved in every stage of the winemaking process, from planning to bottling, while gaining exposure to two complementary production environments:

• A small, estate-focused winery producing ~5,000 cases annually
• Hands-on experience working alongside the winemaking team at Jason Parkes Customs in Oliver and West Kelowna, an experienced and reputable wine producer in the Okanagan valley. 

This role is designed for someone who wants real responsibility, serious mentorship, and a clear path forward—not just another harvest under their belt.

Who We Are

Vasanti Estate Winery is a family-owned, estate winery that opened our tasting room in June 2024. Before producing our own wines, our family supplied premium-quality grapes to wineries across the Okanagan Valley for years.

We are intentionally small, quality-driven, and hands-on. Every wine we make is estate-grown, small-batch, and crafted with attention to detail. Because of our size, every team member has a meaningful influence on the final product—we don’t believe in siloed roles or busywork and our team often wears several hats. 

We invest in people who are curious, motivated, and serious about growing their careers in wine.

Who You Are

You’re an experienced cellar hand or assistant winemaker who wants more ownership, deeper learning, and exposure beyond a single production model.

You:

• Have strong cellar fundamentals and can work independently
• Are detail-oriented, organized, and proactive
• Want to understand why decisions are made—not just execute them
• Are comfortable balancing production work with guest-facing moments
• See this as a long-term growth opportunity, not a short stop

What You’ll Do

Winemaking & Vineyard Involvement

• Assist with all harvest and crush operations (receiving, sorting, crushing, pressing)
• Monitor fermentations and contribute to daily winemaking decisions
• Execute must, juice, and wine additions
• Work with management to plan barrel programs and bottling operations. 
• Maintain detailed, accurate production records
• Assist with higher-level vineyard tasks when required (e.g., fertigation, spray planning)

Cellar Operations

• Barrel work, including racking, blending, sanitizing, storage, and transfers
• Operate and troubleshoot cellar equipment confidently
• Forklift operation
• Maintain rigorous sanitation and cellar organization
• Follow and uphold safety protocols

Additional Responsibilities

• Support tasting room wine experiences as needed
• Represent the winery at on-site and off-site events