Viticultural Assistant and Cellar Hand
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
Sandbanks - Prince Edward County,
Ontario
Job Description:
At Arterra Wines Canada, we love inspiring the big and small moments that happen when our products are shared and enjoyed. For us it’s not just about what’s in and on the bottle, it’s what happens in people’s lives when we’re a part of them that keeps us thirsting for more and not resting on our laurels as Canada’s largest and most enjoyed wine company. We put the consumer at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for people who do the same.
Viticultural Assistant and Cellar Hand is responsible for performing all cellar related activities as part of the winemaking process and vintage. Assist the winemaker in all winemaking responsibilities related to the making of wines Operating a range of vineyard equipment including tractors, mowers, hedgers, fertilizer spreaders, sprayers, and leaf removers. Operating double row equipment when necessary, as well as calibrating sprayers, maintaining accurate spray records and routine equipment maintenance.
What you will be doing:
- Support the winemaker in managing production of wines and ensuring wine quality expectations are met.
- Support the winemaker to ensure all regulatory compliance requirements are met.
- Support the winemaker to ensure all packaged products as noted above are provided to the bottling tanks in such a condition to reduce risk of FG AD as much as reasonably possible.
- Conduct tank updates and winemaking in the wine system related to the above products.
- Work with the other departments to provide products to the bottling schedule as needed as per the planner’s bottling schedule.
- Safely operate all cellar equipment by adhering to all Health and Safety guidelines and lockouts as required
- Accurately weigh ingredients and make additions to wines.
- Communicate relevant information to winemakers
- Perform inventories, ingredient collection and put away, lift truck inspections, and complete paperwork and update lot codes as required.
- Based on a set of analysis compared to specifications this role approves botting lines for start-up and running, ensuring that bottled products are within required specification. This role also verifies that some running/bottling parameters on the bottling line are met (ex. lot application, fill volume)
- Operating forklift to be primary site contact to run mobile bottling, organizing temps, components and maintain all packaging standards and inventory requirements.
- Ensures a safe work environment & safety orientated culture is maintained and all external and internal safety regulations are meet.
- Serves on committees associated with on-going Health & Safety improvement processes.
- Vineyard Management – Oversee daily aspects of all vineyard activities and functions that are critical to both the growing season and budgetary management.
- Operating a variety of vineyard equipment including tractors, mowers, hedgers, fertilizer spreaders, sprayers, and leaf removers
- Calibrate sprayers
- Maintaining accurate spray records, ensure that the vineyards and buildings are maintained in a high state of good housekeeping.
- Responsible to ensure that staff maintain all vehicles / equipment, and that they meet all current legislative requirements.
What you bring:
- Post-Secondary Education or Equivalent
- 1-2 Years’ Experience in a Medium to Large Winery
- 1 year agriculture equipment operation experience
- Strong leadership and teamwork skills.
- Able to organize and prioritize.
- Sound knowledge of safety regulations pertaining to cellar and viticulture equipment operation and maintenance.
Working conditions:
- Occasionally required to lift materials or equipment.
- Occasional exposure to factors such as temperature extremes, moving machinery, noise and fumes which can cause noticeable discomfort.
- Regularly need to give close attention, either hearing or seeing, to what is happening.
- There is continuous pressure from deadlines, production quotas, accuracy, or similar demands.
- Exposed to poor weather conditions including weather extremes outside for prolonged periods
- Regular periods which there is continuous physical exertion required some of which may be heavy or awkward
- Moderate disruption of family/social life. Shift work and occasional weekend work is mandatory
- Must be able to work alone
- Available to work extended hours, (weekend and holidays) during peak growing season
- and in other tasks that might require immediate attention
What we offer:
- Competitive salary and bonus
- Benefits and Pension Plan
- Product Allowances & Safe Ride Home Program
- An organization that cares about Corporate Social Responsibility
- Tuition reimbursement
- Training & Development Programs
- An opportunity to learn about the world of wine