Cellar Hand
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
Oliver,
British Columbia
Burrowing Owl Vineyards (1993) and Estate Winery (1997) were developed by the Wyse family with a vision to produce ultra-premium BC-VQA wines that represent the best characteristics of the region. Burrowing Owl obtains most of our fruit from our own vineyards totaling 220 acres. The production facility is located 10km south of the town of Oliver and located among some of the Estate's oldest and most prized vineyard blocks. The Okanagan vineyards are planted in Bordeaux and Burgundy varieties as well as Pinot Gris, Syrah and a Viognier. The Similkameen vineyards are exclusively Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.
The overriding philosophy of the winery is and has always been to use proven traditional winemaking methods to best express the terroir, in harmony with state-of-the art facilities and equipment, careful scientific evaluation and a dedicated winemaking team. Sustainable practices and environmental initiatives are valued highly at Burrowing Owl and the owners participate actively to advance these causes.
Position Overview
The Cellar Hand position is available to individuals with a wide variety of knowledge and experience. The most important qualification is a keen interesting in making wine.
This position allows the successful candidate to be fully immersed in all aspect of cellar operations, working closely with colleagues and supervisors. Training is available at all stages of wine production, and as your knowledge and awareness increase, the cellar "team" will grow to rely on your expertise. Cellar Hands work in a physical environment where they experience heavy lifting, hauling, pulling, and climbing stairs and ladders on a daily basis. If aptitudes and interests align, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to further develop their knowledge in sensory perception, oak barrel management, winery mechanics, logistics, administrative and lab analysis. Experience in cellars will be given strong consideration and formal education is worth additional credit, but neither is considered essential. We are open to considering applicants from many different backgrounds and willing to assess and give equal credit to skillsets that cross over to our industry.
Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Team player
- Work closely with colleagues to execute work orders with careful attention to detail
- No specialists, flexibility and willingness to work in all areas of cellar operations.
- Maintain opens lines of communication with staff and supervisors, relaying progress and concerns.
- Report abnormalities and anomalies without hesitation.
- Follow instructions, keeping accurate records when required.
- Study and understand rules and regulations
- Follow Health & Safety standards precisely and report anomalies.
- Accept coaching, direction and guidance with positive enthusiasm.
- Follow, maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).
- Be constantly vigilant ensuring winery systems are operating as described and expected
Required Qualifications
- An aptitude for safety
- Confidence in a fast moving environment dominated by equipment, and slick surfaces.
- Competent reading and writing in English.
- Open & able to work long hours during harvest.
- No fear of heights.
- Able to lift 50 pounds