Harvest Cellar Hands (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Hidden Bench Estate Winery

  Beamsville, Ontario

Founded in 2003, Hidden Bench Estate Winery is an estate, terroir-focused winery dedicated to crafting premium wines solely from our own certified organic vineyards situated within the Beamsville Bench VQA sub-appellation of Ontario. The consistent quality of our wine is a result of both the exceptional terroir we farm and our team’s passion for uncompromising excellence, embodied in our acute attention to detail from vineyard to bottle. Our goal has been, and will always be, to produce wine that Canadians can serve with pride and confidence side by side with any benchmark international wine. Non-interventionist, quality-focused and terroir-driven, Hidden Bench has established an ongoing reputation for consistent excellence both domestically and internationally with many award-winning wines.

 

Job Description:

We are seeking applications from suitably qualified and motivated people for 2022 Vintage Cellar Hand positions to help us achieve our goals. Our varietal focus is on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling as well as a small volume of Bordeaux whites and reds. You will gain experience working with organically certified, ultra-premium, cool-climate fruit as well as new world and traditional winemaking techniques and styles.

 

Your key responsibilities will be (but not limited to):

• Sampling in the vineyard, as well as other tasks assigned to the vineyard.
• Perform juice and wine analysis (experience dependent).

• Perform cellar duties, including operating and maintaining equipment, hand sorting, supervising on the sorting line, forklift operation, press management, barrel work, cellar cleaning, etc.
• Carry out proper techniques for cleaning, sanitizing and storing wine equipment as well as operational set-ups for routine winery work, such as processing, wine and juice transfers and tank preparations.
• Carry out specific functions in the cellar during harvest, including, but not limited to the following: punch downs/pump overs, juice racking, additions to fermenting barrels and tanks, barrel filling and/or emptying and cleaning.
• Properly and accurately complete work orders and other tracking documents
• Follow standard operating procedures in the performance of all cellar activities to ensure that maximum productivity and wine quality goals are achieved
• Adhere to all safety policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate high levels of detail in all aspects of your work.
• Lab Analysis, when required (experience dependent).
• Additional duties as assigned.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

Education/Experience/Skills

• University or College qualification in Viticulture and Oenology (preferred).
• 1-2 harvests previous cellar experience required (preferred).

·        Demonstrated personal experience and commitment to the following areas: reliability, organization, motivation, communication, positivity and attention to detail.

·        Experience or a keen interest to learn about organic winegrowing is a must.

·        An enthusiasm for fine wine, artisanal practices and a dedication to quality and hard work.

• Ability to work in a team environment with all winery staff.
• Ability to work independently, efficiently and accurately.
• Willingness to work extended and flexible hours when necessary.
• Experienced forklift operators (preferred).
• Lab experience or a post-secondary science background would be an asset.
• Must be able to lift 25kg on a regular basis.

 

If you feel that this position is a fit for your wine career goals, please apply by forwarding your resume as well as a cover letter laying out your motivation for joining the Hidden Bench vintage team and describing your passion for wine.

 

Contact Information:

Alex Baines

Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery

4152 Locust Lane

Beamsville

Ontario

L0R 1B2

 

Canada

 

E-mail: [email protected]

Tel: 905 563 8700 (Ext.30)

Fax: 905 563 8705

 

Start to finish:

Beginning of September to mid-November

(Vintage dependent)

 

Compensation and further information:

Hourly wage based on experience

Accommodation at the winery is available during vintage.

The winery is located 1.5km outside the town of Beamsville where most amenities are available.

Travel insurance required (Non-Canadian Applicants)

Must be eligible to work in Canada (Working Holiday Program Only)

 

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/eligibility.asp

 

Only successful candidates will be contacted for an interview.

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