JOB SUMMARY

This lead role will be directly responsible for the day-to-day winemaking and maintenance of wine quality, as well as directing and training the Winemaker/Assistant Winemaker/Enologist and Seasonal Intern. Key areas of responsibility include support and facilitation between various production teams (including lab, winemaking, and cellar), ensuring priorities and protocols are achieved, cost effectiveness, accuracy, and safety to all performance standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Directly responsible for varietal winemaking from grape to finished wine. Work with the winemaking team to develop yearly responsibility on varietal programs. Ensure wines meet target sensory and analytical quality requirements.
• Provides leadership and directives during vintage (harvest oversight, grape intake, scheduling, and coordination of harvest). Ability to manage a winery team through the process.
• Develop short- and long-term planning of finishing/blending wines. Develops master blends for consistencies. Set priorities according to bottling and shipping demands.
• Directly work with the Vineyard Team to assess vine health and grape quality. Develop strategies to help improve incoming grape quality. Aid in the picking decision-making process.
• Work directly with Production Planning and Operations to coordinate winemaking for shipping or bottling.
• Work directly with other TWG facility winemaking teams for understanding of timing of clarifying wine, wine specs for blends and holding facility winemaking team accountable for wine quality that is being supplied for both Domestic and Export programs.
• Work with the Operations Team on forecasting and ordering of winemaking supplies. Will have direct responsibility for the winemaking material annual budget. Work with finance on wine costing. Ensure blend makeups are updated annually to ensure proper costing associated with specific programs.
• Work with Winery Operations and Winemaking teams to look for process improvements for wine quality and efficiency.
• Key driver of all Safety policies and procedures for the site. This includes overseeing safety audits, incident investigations, implementation of Company-wide safety policies and relevant safety training. Must lead by example.
• Must have complete understanding of enological process from grapes through blending. Exposure to a variety of winemaking methodology, wine styles and winemaking processes.
• Effectively build a Team. Oversee and train Winemaker, Assistant Winemakers, Enologists, and Interns.
• Speak well in front of groups. Represent brand or company well.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent Organoleptic Skills at all stages of the winemaking process.
• Excellent aptitude and knowledge of wines.
• Large winery experience.
• Ability to oversee a department and manage a team to overall success.
• Prepare weekly/monthly reports for Senior Director, Winemaking and Director, Winemaking Exports regarding, but not limited to, wine processing, customer feedback, blend approval process, and forecasted volumes.
• Attend seminars and classes for continual education.
• Must embrace and demonstrate The Wine Group's Vision, Mission, and Values of Long-Term Sustainable Value Creation, while being Relentlessly Entrepreneurial, with Empowered People who are Responsible and Trustworthy and keep them in mind when making all decisions.
• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be 21 years or older at time of hire.
• Must demonstrate leadership abilities. Proven track record of high integrity
• BS/BA in Enology/Viticulture, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, Microbiology, or equivalent education/work experience
• 10 years minimum from graduation, multi-site experience (minimum of 2 sites including external).
• Passionate about wine quality while understanding the cost associated with processing to help make smart business decisions.
• Good understanding of lab and wine processing equipment.
• Comfortable in bargaining unit environments
• Adaptive and stable in changing environments
• Must get the big picture issues, without losing the eye for details.
• Proven analytical thinker, complemented by subjectivity for proper decision-making.
• Proven resolution management skills
• Seasoned crisis management expertise
• Powerful oral and written communicator
• Keen listening skills
• Capable of managing multiple cross-functional professionals
• Strong computer skills
• Must possess a strong understanding of ISO 9001-2000, HACCP, BRC, and IFS protocols.
• Prioritize while able to adapt to changing priorities.
• Demonstrated reliability and punctuality, work effectively in team/crew environment, adherence to all safety regulations and operating procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to work at heights up to 45 feet.
• Possess the ability to work in a fast-paced environment under pressure.
• The working environment is both indoors and outdoors, with exposure to related equipment and noise levels.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring bending, stooping, standing, and twisting in the production environment.

COMPENSATION

• Hiring Salary Range Posted: $114,000 - $171,100
• Actual compensation will be based on factors such as experience; skills, knowledge, and abilities; education; and other position related factors.

At The Wine Group, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to an environment of mutual respect, diversity and inclusion. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristic protected by law.