Winemaker (Wine Jobs: Management & Administration)

  Frind Winery Ltd. (http://www.frindwinery.com)

  West Kelowna, British Columbia

About Frind Estate Winery

Established in 2017 with the purchase of the historic Bennett property in West Kelowna, Frind Estate Winery blends agriculture with technological opportunity. Markus Frind’s family has a farming history spanning 500 years, both in Germany and northern BC. After the successful sale of plentyoffish.com, Markus is focusing his efforts on pairing technology with agriculture to produce terroir-driven British Columbia wines of exceptional quality.

We are hiring a WINEMAKER. This position supports all activities in the winemaking process. Provides technical collaboration to ensure superior wine quality at all stages of wine production, including the research and development stage and the raw material stage.

This position oversees day-to-day winery operations with an emphasis on wine quality, work and financial planning, safety, sanitation, data management, and facility/equipment maintenance. Additional responsibilities include training and oversight of cellar employees and up-keep of various winemaking records, safety records/reporting, government reporting forms and spreadsheets.

Key Responsibilities

Grape Selection and Harvesting:

• Collaborates with Vineyard management team to determine the optimal time for grape harvesting.

• Oversees the picking and sorting of grapes to ensure only high-quality fruit is used.

Winemaking & Production Processes:

• Manages the winemaking process, including crushing, pressing, and fermentation.

• Monitors fermentation and adjust as needed to achieve desired characteristics.

• Makes decisions about blending and aging wine to create desired flavors and styles.

• Manages production (including the Cellar and Bottling Line areas) by planning, scheduling, and sourcing resources (raw materials, supplies, human, etc.) in an efficient and timely manner.

Quality Control:

• Implements quality control measures to ensure wine quality and consistency.

• Conducts sensory evaluations to assess aroma, taste, and appearance.

• Addresses any issues related to spoilage or contamination promptly.

• Keeps detailed records of all winemaking activities, including grape varieties, processing methods, and aging conditions.

Winery Equipment and Facilities:

• Maintains winemaking equipment and facilities to ensure they are in good working condition.

• Oversees the cleaning and sanitization of equipment and storage tanks.

• Ensures an adequate supply of winemaking supplies. Orders supplies when needed.

• Writes and reconciles winemaking work orders as necessary.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensures compliance with all relevant local, national, and international regulations and standards related to winemaking and labeling.

• Ensures compliance with all relevant environmental and safety regulatory considerations.

Financial Management:

• Develops and manages department budget.

• Evaluates budget consistently throughout the year to ensure all department operations are within budget. Adjusts spending accordingly.

• Allocate resources efficiently, including labour, equipment, and materials.

Team Management:

• Develops and executes regular and seasonal workforce planning. 

• Supervises cellar workers, and other staff involved in the winemaking process.

• Trains and mentors junior staff members.

Wine Development and Innovation:

• Stays informed about industry trends and innovations.

• Utilizes existing winemaking technology to its fullest potential. Implements automation processes to maximize efficiencies when practical and feasible.

• Experiments with new winemaking techniques and technologies to improve wine quality and flavour. 

Wine Tasting and Promotion:

• Participates in wine tastings and promotional events.

• Executes special projects and other assignments related to production winemaking.

Qualifications

 

• Bachelors Degree in Oenology, Winemaking, Viticulture or related field.

• At least 10 years of experience including lab, cellar and management experience, viticulture or winemaking experience.

• Exceptional organizing, planning, financial management, supervising, and problem-solving skills. 

• Strong multitasking skills, and managing of changing priorities skills while maintaining a positive attitude.

• Excellent (English) verbal and written communication skills. 

• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office.

• Ability to make educated, timely and sound winemaking decisions. 

• Detail oriented, takes initiative and comfortable delegating tasks.

• Ability to lift 50lbs+.

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