Job Description
Job Description:
Dunham Cellars is a small, family-owned winery in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington. We produced our first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1995 as one of the first 10 wineries in Walla Walla. Today, we produce ultra-premium red, white and rosé wines from several renowned estate vineyards in the Walla Walla and Columbia Valley AVAs. The production team at Dunham Cellars is passionate about crafting exceptional wines and prides themselves in promoting a great hands-on experience and safe working practices.
We are currently looking for an Assistant Winemaker to join our small, yet experienced winemaking team. The responsibilities of the Assistant Winemaker will be to run the lab, provide operational support for the cellar and winemaking support to the Head Winemaker.
Responsibilities
Lab Analysis & Operations
• Primary responsibility is to oversee quality control throughout all stages of wine production.
• Executes own sampling and is responsible for checking tanks and barrels for spoilage or other potential problems when sampling.
• Responsible for all calibrations, instrument maintenance, repairs and maintaining lab supplies.
• Conduct basic chemistry of juices, musts and wines including but not limited to all monthly qc analysis, juice/wine trials and pre/post addition analysis.
• Perform inspection of all incoming wine additives to ensure they meet specifications and are up to Dunham Cellars quality standards.
• Packaging duties include standard setting for fill checks, oxygen status, CO2 status, SO2 status, and ensuring wine is within specifications.
• Conduct and coordinate trials, lend expertise and investigate new products for appropriate and accurate fining agents and additives as needed.
• Maintain analytical records for all packaged wines and additives in database
• Adhere to all TTB, FDA, state, and local guidelines.
• During harvest you may be responsible for the management of interns, yeast propagation, inoculation, juice adjustments and nutrient additions.
Winery Operations & Management
• Understand the flow of winemaking operations, identify tasks that need to be accomplished, and maintain the production calendar.
• Prepare work-orders, assist in data management, as well as record and develop reports using Vintrace wine tracking software.
• Responsibility for the quality and execution of work performed, review and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and safety.
• Safety training and management of compliance issues in the laboratory and cellar environment to provide a safe workplace.
• Lead morning meeting with production staff
• Assist with harvest intern hiring and training process
• Develop an atmosphere within the production team that promotes teamwork and flexibility towards all tasks that are always performed within the cellar while maintaining the company culture
• Any other duties assigned
Winemaking Support
• Providing sensory analysis in the cellar to ensure wine quality
• Prepare and participate in blending & fining trials
• Provide winemaking technical support to the Winemaker and production staff
• Assist in supervising the grape receiving, crushing, pressing and wine production operations during grape harvest
• Participate in wine tasting at all stages throughout the winemaking process and be responsible for conducting evaluation and recommendation of treatments
Requirements:
• Bachelor's degree in Viticulture and Enology, Fermentation Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related discipline
• Desire to become part of a team dedicated to crafting fine wines
• Developed sensory evaluations skills, including ability to detect and discriminate subtle differences in wine
• Experience with an Admeo Y15
• Experience in a managerial role such as Enologist, Assistant Winemaker or Cellarmaster
• Computer skills to effectively use Vintrace, MS Word, Excel and other related software
• Strong organizational, problem-solving and analytical skills; able to manage priorities and workflow.
• Proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail
• Forklift proficiency is not required
• Ability to work long hours during critical times (e.g. harvest and bottling)
• Ability to push pull and lift up to 70 pounds on a regular basis
• Valid driver's license
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Job Tags
Full time, Internship, Local area, Day shift,