Assistant Winemaker (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery (http://www.ravinevineyard.com)

  1366 York Road, St.Davids, Ontario

Overview

This role will assist the Winemaker in many of the organizational tasks, record keeping, and compliance duties that are required for growing organic grapes and making ultra-premium VQA wines.  When the Winemaker is absent they will be the liaison between the cellar staff and the Winemaker.  Under the guidance of the Winemaker, this position will be responsible for creating and distributing cellar work orders to the crew and ensuring that work is completed to the standards set and defined by the Winemaker.  As Quality Assurance is a very important aspect of our wines, the assistant will be responsible for all aspects of the lab.  This includes performing analysis on samples, maintaining equipment, replenishing chemicals, standardization, and keeping a lab log. 

    This role is also responsible for the management of our finished goods warehouse (inputs, outputs, organization and monthly counts). They will be required to assist the Winemaker with the VQA submission process, coordinate shipping of goods and bulk wines, and with ordering and/or packaging (labels, bottles, VQA submissions and closures). During busy periods (harvest bottling, barrel blending) the assistant winemaker will be available to assist the cellar crew and will be a secondary contact (other than the Winemaker) when it comes to maintaining and operating the crush equipment.

Role and Responsibilities

·         Under guidance and direction of the Winemaker, they will generate work orders and distribute to staff.

·         Completed work orders, bottling reports, and harvest slips will be recorded and catalogued by the Assistant with direction from the Winemaker. It is important that these records are maintained, organized and meet all AGCO/LCBO and VQA standards.

·         Responsible for all aspects of the wine lab (standardization, maintenance, execution of tests).Wine and laboratory samples are performed as requested by the Winemaker.

·         Be a secondary support for the cellar crew to ensure tasks are clear, and that they can always provide a helping hand in all tasks (i.e Conducts pump overs and punch downs, filtration, racking, inoculations and additions)

·         Assists Winemaker in scouting/sampling at harvest.

·         Will prepare samples and bench trials for the Winemaker as requested.

·         Carries out all duties according to health and safety regulations while maintaining a clean and safe work environment.

·         Other duties as assigned.

Educational & Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a Cellar Technician or similar role
• Formal Viticulture Education is required.
• Forklift Operator Certificate is considered an asset.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite
• Appreciates Wine

Preferred Skills

• Communication: This position requires basic listening, speaking, and writing skills.
• Leadership: Able to delegate, control a fast paced environment and possess strong decision making skills.
• Independent: Able to follow directions effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Attention to Detail: Achieve consistent and accurate results when completing tasks.
• Adaptability: Able to accept changing conditions and new information in a fast-paced environment.
• Physical: Operate winemaking equipment, work outdoors and indoors in hot and cold climates, occasionally lift or move objects weighing 50 - 80LBS. Able to occasionally work from heights (~14ft) and work in confined spaces

Working Conditions

• Available to work daytime, evenings, weekdays, weekends and holidays as required.
• Must be available to work long hours, including overtime as required during the busy seasons

Salary Range: $55,000-$65,000, plus benefits package

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