Wine / Enology Grape Chemistry Group

Industry Positions

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Analytical Chemist Position Available

The Virginia Tech, Enology Service Laboratory, Enology-Grape Chemistry Group, Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA is seeking an analytical chemist.

Duties involve wet chemical, physical, instrumentation, and microbiological analysis of grapes and wines.

Minimum requirement: BS degree in Chemistry, analytical chemistry or biochemistry with analytical experience. No prior wine chemistry experience necessary.

Salary based upon experience.

Information regarding the Enology Service Laboratory is available at www.vtwines.info.

Those interested should apply through the Virginia Tech employment web page or contact Dr. Bruce Zoecklein at .

Winemaker Position Open at Temecula winery

Well-established and fast-growing Temecula winery is looking for a full-time, hands-on Winemaker to join our winemaking team.

Located just 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles and 60 miles north of San Diego, Southern California's beautiful wine country, Temecula Valley, is home to numerous premier wineries and award-winning wines. Premium wines are made possible in this area by a unique microclimate and well-drained decomposed granite soils. Our 1100-foot elevation makes for cool summer nights, and cooling breezes come through the vineyards every afternoon throughout the summer.

The candidate will oversee the day-to-day operation of all aspects of winemaking and wine productions, such as the overseeing of cellar operations, laboratory operations, vineyard maintenance, maintenance of winemaking equipment, bottling, crush operations, safety, accident prevention and supervision of cellar and vineyard workers.

Key Position Requirements:

  • Oversee daily operations of cellar and lab in order to meet production requirements and schedules
  • Monitor and maintain cleanliness of lab and cellar and ensure regular maintenance of equipment
  • Maintain inventory reports
  • Maintain cost control and budget
  • Identify, source and negotiate for purchased fruit
  • Work with outside vendors and negotiate contracts to secure supplies and equipment
  • Plan and organize labor needs for production to include vineyard maintenance, cellar, bottling and harvest needs.
  • Maintain and order any supplies or equipment needed, such as bottles, corks, etc.
  • Responsible for understanding and complying with applicable environmental, regulatory and safety considerations
  • Maintain accurate records for compliance purposes
  • Manage and direct cellar and vineyard staff
  • Represent winery at public, wine club and promotional events
  • Assist with staff wine training
  • Provide technical information for tasting notes
  • Additional responsibilities as needed and determined by senior management

Required Experience:

  • Candidate must have a minimum of 5 years winemaking experience as a winemaker or assistant winemaker in a winery operation facility
  • Must have the proven ability to produce quality premium wines, while maintaining cost objectives of the winery
  • Developed sensory evaluation skills
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with press, winery staff, winery customers, wine club members, peers, and subordinates.
  • Ability to manage priorities and workflows
  • Vineyard management experience
  • Must be able to work overtime, nights and weekends as required
  • Fork-lift certified
  • Computer literacy in MS Word and Excel
  • Experience with Winemaker's Database a plus
  • Spanish language skills a plus

Educational Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Enology or Fermentation Science is desired, but not required if experience is sufficient to have developed required skills.

Physical Requirements:

  • Physically able to lift 50 lbs., using safe lifting procedures and have no allergies or breathing problems that would develop as the result of the handling of materials routinely present in an operating winery.

Salary Information:

  • Commensurate with experience

Please contact Krista Chaich via e-mail for further information at

Winemaker sought at Chateau Élan Winery & Resort

Chateau Élan Winery & Resort, just 40 minutes north of Atlanta, Georgia is currently looking for a winemaker.

The grand sight of a 16th century style French Chateau surrounded by lush vineyards coming into view from I-85 may conjure up images of the Loire Valley of France. Opened in 1985, the full-production Winery inside the Chateau is the largest producer of premium wines in Georgia, and recognized by Wine Spectator for exceptional vintages.

This is a position that offers great opportunity to work in all aspects of wine production and sales. The job will require the successful candidate to participate in all levels of the process, from the management side of operations down to the hands-on approach to winemaking. The successful candidate must possess a strong drive and love of wine, and be keen to not only manage the process but to assist daily in all hands-on tasks of winemaking.

Requirements: Full understanding of all winemaking procedures, and chemical processes. Candidate must be familiar on how to operate wine making machinery.  Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required on Oenology, Fermentation Science or closely related field. Experience as winemaker or assistant winemaker is required.

For more information, contact:

Megan Noe, PHR
People Development Manager
Chateau Élan Winery & Resort
Office: 678-425-0900 Ext 6351
Fax: 678-425-6068
Email:

Winery and Vineyard Assistant

Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery is looking for an energetic individual to help with the wine production and grape growing areas at our 65,000 gallon winery.  Clover Hill is family business with over 20 years of experience and offers a modern production facility with state of the art equipment within the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Information on the winery is available on the website, www.cloverhillwinery.com.   This position offers a unique variety of duties over the course of a year and offers a hands-on approach through the entire process of grapes to wine. 

Requirements:

  • Winemaking responsibilities include assisting with: crushing and pressing of grapes during harvest, fining and cold stabilization of wine, filtering, barreling, bottling, equipment maintenance, inventory monitoring, and cellar cleaning and sanitation.
  • Vineyard responsibilities include assisting with: new vineyard establishment, pruning, shoot positioning, cluster thinning, summer pruning, harvesting, and pest management. 
  • Strong back and body
  • Computer and organizational skills
  • The ability to work independently
  • An interest in wine with the desire to learn more
  • The ability to be flexible with scheduling – especially during harvest where hours will be extended
  • Seasonal assistance in retail sales
  • Tractor and forklift operational skills are preferred but not required
  • Enology or Food Science degrees or backgrounds are preferred but not required

If this position interests you and you meet the job requirements please email your resume and cover letter telling us more about yourself to John Skrip III at js3@cloverhillwinery.com.   Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Apprentice/Assistant Winemaker Wanted

Osprey's Dominion, the 2005 New York State Winery of the Year, seeks an enthusiastic individual to join our production team on Long Island's beautiful North Fork. We are offering an entry level apprenticeship with possibility for advancement to assistant winemaker after one harvest. The successful candidate will be trained by a UCD educated winemaker with twelve years hands-on cellar experience on all aspects of production operations from harvest to bottle. Enology degree and experience preferred but not required.

Send resume to or fax to (631) 765-1903

Winemaker Seeking Employment

Dominic Charles Burke has worked as head winemaker and has produced award winning wines. His contact information is:

Address: Chardonnay Cottage
Bainskloof Road, Wellington, NZ 7646
Cell: (+)27(0)722995538
e-mail address:

For more information, click to download his CV (pdf).

Winemaker Available

I have been a winemaker for 10 years. I have worked my whole career in the Stellenbosch area. I also worked for a harvest at Erath Vineyards, Oregon. In my career, I have worked with the following grape varieties - Cabernet Sauvingnon, Cabernet Franc, Pinotage, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Shiraz - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc.

Except winemaking, I have done marketing for all wineries I have been involved with. Below is a brief history of my career:

I.D. 7510105034087
Matriculated Hermanus High School 1993
Attended Elsenburg College (Cellar Technology) 1994-1996

Worked for Stellenbosch Wines Direct as Winemaker under Mr. Jan Du Preez 1996-1998

Winemaker for Goede Hoop Wine Estate in the Bottelary Hills. Owner, Mr. Pieter Bestbier 1998-2002

Winemaker for Avontuur Estate, Manager Pippa Mickleburgh 2002-2006

Selling wine and property for Fusion Wines 2006-

For further information, feel free to contact me.

Willier Malherbe
Telephone 083 258 0952

Exceptional Winemaking Opportunity

Start-up winery near Gettysburg, PA needs full-time experienced winemaker for new and well-equipped winery opening in spring/summer 2008. Winery will produce 6,000 gallons first year and quickly expand to >10,000 gallons/year. Both apple and grape wines will be mainstays.

Winery site is spectacular, and vineyard sites are premium quality. 2 acres of hybrid vineyard are in ground, this year, with another 8 acres of vinifera and 2 additional hybrid acres going into ground in 2008. High quality apples are already available on site, and other high quality fruits available locally.

Winemaker should have experience with managing a full-time commercial operation that is focused on quality. Experience with a variety of vinifera and hybrid grape wines and with fruit wines is highly desirable. Competitive salary and benefits, depending on experience. Applicants should have wine portfolio for inspection and references available.

Contact Jonathan Patrono
30 West Middle Street
Gettysburg, Pa 17325
717-334-8098

Winery Consultant Seeks Employment

Winery Consulting … from A to Z…

Have your winemaking and viticulture under control but need help with everything else?  With twelve years experience in the Virginia wine industry, I have excellent skills with marketing, human resources, financial planning, administration, staff development and training.  Recognized as an extremely organized and competent multi-tasker with excellent staff management and public relations skills.

Expertise in:

  • financial planning & budgeting
  • marketing & public relations               
  • brand development & launch
  • policy design & administration
  • operations management
  • employee relations
  • cost analysis
  • bookkeeping (QuickBooks)
  • payroll
  • advertising design & management
  • retail staff management
  • writing & editing PR material
  • staff training & development
  • compensation/benefits design
  • government compliance
  • tasting room design & layout
  • special events & wine festivals
  • implementing wine club
  • website design
  • wholesale & direct sales
  • coordinating production & supplies

Professional Experience

  • Pollak Vineyards, Greenwood, VA.  Consultant.  (2007-present)
  • Vavino Wine Bar & Retail Shop, Charlottesville, VA.  Co-owner & day-to-day manager.  (2005-2006)
  • Keswick Vineyards, Keswick, VA.  General Manager.  (2003-2005)
  • First Colony Winery, Charlottesville, VA.  General Manager.  (2001-2003)
  • Jefferson Vineyards, Charlottesville, VA.  Winery Manager.  (1995-2001)
  • Monticello Wine Trail, Charlottesville, VA.  Brochure & Website Development.  (2003-2005)
  • Virginia Wine Gazette, Bernardsville, NJ.  Coordinating Editor.  (2000-2002)
  • Education & Professional Associations
  • University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.  Bachelor of Arts Degree, History.
  • Charlottesville Regional Tourism Council, Charlottesville, VA.  Board Member.  2000-2004
  • Virginia Wineries Association, Fairfax, VA.  Board Member.  2001-2003

Contact: Christie Shaps
830 Caitlin Drive
Crozet, VA; 22932
Phone (434) 823-9298
Cell (434) 531-0791
Email:

Winemaker Wanted, Chateaux Elan, Braselton, Georgia

For more information, contact Mr. Hank Evers at Chateaux Elan, phone 1-800-233-9463

Winery Assistant Sought for Three Fox Vineyards, Fauquier County, Virginia

Winery assistant sought for small winery in Fauquier County, Virginia (ca. 50 west of Washington, DC). Minimum commitment of 30 hrs per week required but intended as full time position. Duties include: general winery work (transfers, cooperage and stainless maintenance, inventory and materials tracking, and supplies ordering); assistance to wine maker in wine processing, aging, testing and blending; maintaining winery and equipment; some vineyard work, scouting, and crop estimation; and assistance with other tasks around vineyard, winery, tasting room and grounds as needed. Willing to train the right candidate. Position is intended to provide growth opportunity. Compensation dependent on experience and negotiable per industry standards. Benefits available after probationary period.

Please contact by e-mail with resume and compensation expectations or history.

If you have a job opening you would like advertised here, please contact Bruce Zoecklein at:

Bruce Zoecklein
Room 14
Dept. of Food Science & Technology (0418)
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
phone: 540-231-5325
fax: 540-231-9293
e-mail: