Job Description
Job Description:
Job Title: Assistant Winemaker
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Job Summary:
We are a well-known owner/winemaker owned vineyard and winery in St. Helena seeking a hands-on, experienced Assistant Winemaker to interact with all aspects of our winemaking process, from vineyard to bottle. The ideal candidate will bring technical expertise, leadership skills, and a passion for growing and crafting exceptional wines, along with exceptional customer service skills. You will collaborate with the winery and cellar team and ensure that every vintage meets our brand’s quality and stylistic goals. The role requires a deep understanding of wine chemistry, production logistics, and equipment maintenance, as well as a commitment to teamwork, cleanliness, organization, and innovation.
Key Responsibilities:
Production & Winemaking Operations
• Monitor grape maturity and coordinate harvest dates with viticulture team.
• Participate in all phases of crush: picking quality, sorting, pressing, and pump-overs.
• Execute yeast and nutrient additions, monitor fermentations (including stuck or off-smelling ferments), and manage ML fermentations.
• Conduct cold and heat stabilization processes.
• Manage tank space and cellar logistics for optimal workflow.
• Have knowledge and experience in barreling, topping, blending, and dealcoholizing processes.
• Coordinate filtering and fining processes including crossflow filtration.
Cellar and Team Leadership
• Maintain and manage barrel health, manage empties, and oversee seasonal maintenance
• Supervise and train cellar staff to ensure safe and efficient daily operations.
• Maintain high standards for cellar hygiene, safety, and workflow.
Maintenance & Technical Support
• Perform or oversee electrical, mechanical, and general equipment maintenance.
• Troubleshoot and repair pumps, presses, temperature controls, and other winery machinery.
Inventory & Bottling
• Order and manage supplies: bottles, corks, foils, labels, and branded packaging materials.
• Schedule and assist in supervising bottling runs, ensuring product consistency and brand integrity.
Quality Control & Lab Analysis
• Experience in conducting lab analyses, including:
o TA / pH / Free & Total SO2
o Glucose & Fructose levels
o Acid profile and stability assessments
• Maintain accurate records for traceability, compliance, and process improvements..
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture, Enology, Fermentation Science, or related field.
• 2–5 years of winemaking experience, ideally in a premium or boutique winery.
• Strong technical knowledge of modern and traditional winemaking practices.
• Proficient in lab analysis and cellar management software and reporting.
• Excellent palate and sensory evaluation skills.
• Knowledgeable about current industry trends, techniques, and innovations.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Mechanical aptitude and familiarity with winery equipment.
Preferred Skills:
• Experience with dealcoholizing techniques.
• Familiarity with sustainability practices and certifications.
• Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.
To Apply:
Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your winemaking philosophy and relevant experience to sarah@andersonconnvalley.com.
Join our team in crafting wines that reflect the land, the vintage, and our shared pursuit of continued excellence!
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Job Tags
Full time, Seasonal work,