Job Description

Assistant Winemaker Saracina Vineyards is a Certified California Sustainable (“CSWA”) winery and vineyard nestled along the Upper Russian River in northern California’s wine country. Our 450-acre farm, located outside the small town of Hopland, hosts 100 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards, a 140-year-old olive orchard, an organic vegetable garden, beehives, mini- goats, alpacas and the only wine caves in Mendocino County. Location: Hopland, CA Position Overview: Under the direction of the Winemaker, the Assistant Winemaker assists in all activities related to winemaking, cellar, and laboratory operations. This position is responsible for managing and performing all on-site laboratory functions, tracking cellar activities, maintaining bulk wine inventory, assisting with cased goods, and packaging inventory tracking, and Quality Control, ensuring the production of high-quality wines. The Assistant Winemaker is responsible for assisting our winemaker with wine style direction and making sure all wine treatments are managed in accordance with best practice standards. Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Participate in key harvest activities including receiving grapes, scheduling activities and tasting fermentations.
• Managing bulk inventories to the highest level of quality including sensory evaluation
• Assist in blending to style and quality targets at appropriate cost.
• Ensuring that all wine plans meet production needs and that all winery documentation and the wine tracking system are current and accurately reflect the wine composition and wine status.
• Supervise and executes harvest activities including weigh scale, daily fermentation management, additions to wines, and wine movements.
• Ensure an environment of continuous improvement is created and that all health and safety regulations are complied with.
• Assists with scheduling and prioritizing cellar activities
• Collaborates closely with Winemaker to facilitate winemaking activities and cellar functionality.
• Ensures wines bottled are compliant with TTB regulations and meet internal quality and stability requirements. Monitor the accuracy of the bottling schedule and bottling report.
• Supervises the quality control of wines including monthly sulfite levels monitoring.
• Research, order and maintain stock of cleaning chemicals, wine additives and general cellar supplies. Provides recommendations for selection of products with a focus towards quality, cost effective and environmentally responsible options.
• Leads in safety and accident prevention, ensuring safety practices are followed in accordance with CAL OSHA and Saracina standards.
• Practices budgetary accountability, record keeping, general purchase orders and inventory control.
• Assist with events and acts as an ambassador of the brand towards trade and the public.

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years of age and hold a valid driver’s license.
• Flexibility to work overtime, nights and weekends as required for harvest, bottling, special events and travel.
• Bachelor’s degree (BS) in Viticulture/Enology or Fermentation science, or related science degree preferred.
• 3+ years winemaking experience preferred
• Knowledge, appreciation and passion for wine.
• Interest in continuing to challenge knowledge and improve skills in all areas of wine production, including conducting experiments/trials.
• Demonstrates strong attention to detailand a structured approach.
• Proficient with all Microsoft Suite products (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Proficient with POS systems (Bloom, Shopify, ShipCompliant).
• Ability to interact appropriately and positively with internal and external personnel at various levels, and to handle sensitive and/or confidential issues with tact and discretion.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Spanish language skills a plus.
• Must be certified to drive a forklift, ATV and other equipment as required for harvest.
• Must be able to work on ladders and at heights up to thirty-five feet.
• Physically able to lift 50 pounds using safe procedures on a repetitive basis and have no allergies or restrictions that would preclude handling, with proper safety equipment, materials such as SO2 or chlorine or any other material routinely present in an operating winery or laboratory.

Benefits Overview: Saracina offers a competitive compensation package including medical, paid vacation, personal time off and 10 paid company holidays. Saracina is an equal opportunity employe

Job Tags

Holiday work, Full time, Night shift, Weekend work,

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