French Door Estate Winery General Manager
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
French Door Estate Winery
5462 Black Sage Road, Oliver,
British Columbia
Position Title: French Door Estate Winery General Manager
The 10-acre property of French Door Estate winery located in the south of Okanagan Valley will produce sparkling, white, rose, red ultra-premium wines. Estimated first release in 2020.
The Estate sits along the Black Sage Road, South of Oliver, of which 7 acres are currently planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Sangiovese.
The vineyard will be extended to 8.5 acres with Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot in the next two years.
The General Manager will be in charge of producing 1,800 cases in 2019, then possibly up to 4,000 cases in the future. At present, part of the vineyard and winery works will be done by the candidate. This management position will evolve to a supervision role in the future, depending on the production volume increase.
Department: Winery, Vineyard, and Wine Shop
Supervisor: Jason Shull, owner and Pascal Madevon, consultant
Summary of responsibilities
Winery:
• Co-ordinate and manage production and quality control, from grapes to wine to the final finished bottled product.
• Operate the cellar on a day-to-day basis.
• Responsible for the vinification process, following advice from Pascal Madevon.
• Responsible for ingredient additions.
• Operate winery equipment (pumps, de-stemmer, press, etc.).
• Collect daily fermentation data (density, temperature, etc.).
• Maintain winery hygiene, including the sanitization of tanks and equipment.
• Carry out barrel operations (filling, topping, racking).
• Prepare wine lots for bottling; responsible for bottling operation.
• Manage inventory count.
• Realize basic analysis (Acidity, Ph, VA, So2, etc.).
• Participate in regular sensory tastings.
• Operate a forklift.
Vineyard:
• Manage the current vineyard of 7 acres, 8.5 acres in two years. Part of the vineyard operations will be done by the candidate, such as pruning, tying, tractor work. Seasonal labour will be hired when necessary.
• Responsible for all vineyard operations including pruning, tying, pest management sprays, grape growth (suckering, canopy management, etc.), and harvesting.
• Engage and manage seasonal labour for viticulture operation when necessary.
• Collect data in the vineyard (insect population counts, pressure bomb analysis, vine stage statement, etc.).
• Manage and execute the daily irrigation schedule; as well as carry out regular maintenance of the irrigation system.
• Conduct crop estimation, following advice from Pascal Madevon.
• Realize maturity controls before harvest.
• Organize the picking operations.
• Able to drive a tractor for pest control, soil and canopy management.
• Daily checks on the property for security reasons.
Public Relations and Marketing:
• Undertake promotional work as required, both on-site and off-site and contribute to the development of the French Door brand.
• Able to welcome and discuss with customers, journalists, social media influencers
• Make suggestions in the development of hospitality programming including tastings, tours, etc.
• Make suggestions in the development of the wine portfolio and packaging.
• Help in the tasting room staff when necessary (starting in April 2020).
• Support the setup of the wine club (starting in January 2020).
• Help with the coordination of events (tasting, wedding, etc.).
Skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (English).
• Good interpersonal skills for communication with French Door Winery owners, consultant, co-workers, visitors, and customers.
• Must be enthusiastic, hard-working, detail-oriented, and bring energy and problem-solving ability to the performance of the job.
• An interest in sustainable and organic viticulture practises.
• Excellent computer skills (Excel, Word, etc.) and attention to detail.
• A scientific approach to growing quality fruit: a deep interest in and understanding of the science of growing healthy balanced vines and quality fruit.
• Sufficient technical understanding combined with a scientific approach to guide complex analysis and planning, taking into account a wide range of factors relating to viticulture.
• Able to work extended hours when necessary.
• Able to withstand extended periods of physical work in extreme outdoor conditions, i.e. walking, standing, lifting materials/equipment at high temperatures.
• Good mechanical aptitude is required with experience in operating vineyard equipment.
• The requirement to possess or obtain a BC Pesticide Applicator’s license.
• Post-secondary education with an emphasis on viticulture, enology, and/or biochemistry would be an asset.
• Experience in winery tasting, marketing, and hospitality would be an asset.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Legally able to work in Canada.
Remuneration
• Remuneration based on experience.
• Accommodation on site could be provided for the candidate.