Harvest Winemaking Assistant - Robert Mondavi Winery

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with one or two harvests of experience and a passion for making high-quality wine. The position works directly with the Winemaking Team, providing integral support to facilitate daily harvest winemaking responsibilities. While routine Cellar or Lab work is not required, interns will collaborate with Cellar and Lab teams to achieve daily tasks, and occasional light duties in these areas may be needed.

This is a temporary assignment, generally from June/July through November, with schedules determined on an as-needed basis to keep up with grape processing. Weekend work during peak season and occasional overtime may be required.

Responsibilities

• Vineyard: Assist winemakers with vineyard maturity sampling, block monitoring, and brix mapping
• Vineyard: Assist winemakers with grape phenolics sampling and mapping
• Analysis/Lab: Maintain an updated list of samples for phenolics tracking, ensure samples are uploaded and named correctly, and assist with data compilation and tracking
• Cellar: Daily monitoring of all fermentations, including tank temperatures and cap inspection; communicate findings to the winemaking team
• Cellar: Monitor press cuts on white grapes and communicate progress/issues to winemakers
• Cellar: Monitor crushing of reds in To Kalon and back cellars; work closely with winemakers to share progress and concerns
• Cellar: Visit other internal wineries to check tanks and barrels, and pick up/drop off supplies
• Cellar: Assist with lot sampling for analysis or tasting as needed
• Cellar: Carry out small-scale winemaking trials and prepare initial drafts on findings
• Cellar: Pick up/drop off winemaking supplies and product/wine samples
• Winemaking: Taste and evaluate wines with the winemaking team
• Winemaking/Admin: Generate work orders for grape and wine processing
• Winemaking/Admin: Compile and organize grape, ferment, and wine data
• Winemaking/Admin: Assist with other projects/assignments as needed
• General: Perform other tasks and projects as required

Requirements

• One prior winery harvest position in the Cellar, Lab, or Winemaking
• Availability to work from July through the end of November
• Ability to work various shifts, including weekends and overtime
• Excellent organizational and communication skills (oral and written)
• Technically capable (experience with Vintrace is a plus)
• Must be at least 21 years of age

Preferred Qualifications

• Recent graduate or pursuing a degree in Enology, Viticulture, or a related field
• Solid understanding of the winemaking process and good wine tasting skills
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to communicate in Spanish

Working Conditions

• Working conditions in certain winery areas may be cold, warm, wet, slippery, and noisy
• Exposure to loud noises, fumes, toxic chemicals, moving mechanical parts, and lift truck traffic
• Frequent walking, standing, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling
• Must be able to move up to 55 lbs
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Occasional travel, weekend work, and overtime may be required
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities

Pay

$24.00/hour

Location: Oakville, California