Cellar Hand / Assistant Winemaker (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Trail Estate Winery (http://www.trailestate.com)

  Prince Edward County, Ontario

Trail Estate is a boutique No-/Low-Intervention Winery in Prince Edward County Ontario. We are fiercely independent in thought and process and want to make the best wines. Period. Our portfolio is dynamic — nouveau, skin contact, carbonic, unfiltered and also with killer Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. All our ferments are wild.

Trail is still very much a start-up culture with a small team, so are looking for someone who has both practical and theoretical skills as well as a hands-on "do whatever needs doing" attitude and can contribute to various facets of the business. Some days require long hours. That said, we keep hours sane as much as possible (to keep us sane) — just know there is no set schedule during harvest!

Requirements for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

Ability to run a crush pad, harvesting/receiving grapes, pressing, destemming, laboratory knowledge, wine records, etc.

Cleaning, sanitizing, and maintaining space and equipment

Cellar tasks such as tank/barrel cleaning and sanitizing, punch downs, pump overs, monitoring ferments, racking and transfers, barrel work, and bottling

Participate in wine decisions — blends, process, etc. based on fruit conditions, in coordination with winemaker

Be proactive; attention to detail, ability to organize and prioritize tasks

Other Cellar/VY/FOH tasks as may be required during harvest

Ability to lift 40lbs+

Qualifications:

Minimum 2+ vintages cellar experience

Technical Degree/Diploma in Winemaking or Oenology (preferred)

Proven ability to motivate and influence others through personal actions and examples

Ability to operate forklift and tractor (preferred)

Must be eligible to work in Canada and fluent in English (spoken and written).

This is a short-term, contract position (ideal for those seeking to do a northern harvest, or those looking to gain/contribute in low-intervention winemaking.

Approx duration: ~ September to late November

Benefits:

Fair pay/benefits, based on experience

Making great wine, conscientiously!

Small-scale, hands-on wines; no formula.

Wine allotment

Knowing we know you need days off even during harvest!

Weekly staff lunches/wine tastings

Assistance with accommodation, if required

Compensation is based on experience

How To Apply

Please send your resume, winemaking philosophy and what you believe you can contribute to [email protected].

Please attach any documents as a single PDF, titled "Last name, First name"

Offers are conditional on successful review of three (3) professional/educational references.

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