Vineyard Technician & Assistant Winemaker (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Culmina Family Estate Winery (http://www.culmina.ca)

  Oliver, British Columbia

Culmina Family Estate Winery is a new, family-run winery estate located on the Golden Mile Bench. Conceived in 2007, Don, Elaine and Sara Triggs started with a simple goal: to make the highest quality wines possible from their family's own estate. Channeling their lifelong passion and resources into their new property, Culmina represents their commitment to excellence, as well as their desire to craft icon quality wines reflective of their origins. Since opening its doors in 2013, Culmina offers the opportunity to explore a very limited release of carefully crafted wines at their state-of-the-art winery and Tasting Room. Culmina’s highly sought after wines may now be found in top restaurants and retail locations in four provinces across the country. 

We are looking for a passionate, energetic, detail-oriented, and hard-working person to join our vineyard & winery team. The incumbent will work under the supervision of our Vineyard Manager & Winemaker, Pascal Madevon, as well as our Ertus Consultant, Alain Sutre, in every aspect of the grape growing & winemaking process. 

Responsibilities include:

Vineyard 

• Support the supervision of the vineyard crew in all operational areas (training, pruning, tying, suckering, shoot thinning, tucking, lateral shoot removal, leaf removal, crop thinning, etc)
• Collect and maintain accurate vineyard records
• Maintain Ranch Irrigation system and execute all irrigation schedules
• Accurate crop estimates & maturity sampling

Winery

• Execute all winemaking tasks associated with the production, storage, bottling, and shipment of wines
• Manage the inventory and supply of winemaking materials
• To act as Team Leader for vintage cellarhands
• Carry out all laboratory analysis (pH, TA, VA, SO2, etc)
• Participate in regular sensory tastings with the Management team

Safety & Maintenance

• Maintain all safety recrods for vineyard and winery
• Act on Culmina's safety committee, attending regular meetings
• Ensure safe operating procedures for vineyard and winery
• Employ preventative strategies for maintenance and monitor all winery equipment for issues

General

• Ensure that the 'housekeeping' of the vineyard and winery is consistent with that of an 'icon' estate
• Optimize efficiencies and use of all resources (labour, equipment, materials)
• Represent Culmina's values when working with third party suppliers, and at promotional events

Requirements include: 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Winemaking or Viticulture
• Good knowledge of premium grape growing techniques
• At least 3 years of winemaking experience; international vintages considered an asset
• Significant hands-on vintage and cellar experience
• Crew management considered an asset
• A desire and passion to make Bordeaux style wines
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to multi-task
• Ability to work within a compact team and work long hours when required
• Strong computer skills (MS Office)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• An strong work ethic, reliability and integrity 
• A proven track record of achieving and maintaining high standards
• Strong forklift skills
• Ability to safely lift up to 25 kg
• A current drivers license
• At the time of application, a valid work permit for working in Canada, or valid SIN#
• Fluency in Spanish and/or French considered an asset

While the incumbent will be responsible for getting his or her own accommodation and transporation to and from the site, we will nonetheless be able to provide assistance in this regard if required.

Remuneration commensurate with experience and negotiated at the time of offer.

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