Cellar/Vineyard Assistant (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Cannon Estate Winery (http://cannonwinery.ca)

  Abbotsford, British Columbia

Cannon Estate Winery is seeking a full-time Vineyard/Cellar Assistant to join our wine production team. We are located in the bountiful Fraser Valley region, producing premium cool-climate wines inspired by terroir-driven winemaking styles originating in France. Cannon Estate Winery is a small family-run organization with excellent opportunities for the right candidate to engage in a multifaceted work experience in both viticulture and winemaking fields.

Job Responsibilities in the Cellar include:

·         Working with Winemaker & Vineyard Manager Jacob Medeiros in every part of the winemaking process from harvest to bottle

·         Cellar management (i.e. cleaning winemaking equipment, tanks, hoses, pumps, 36 hL press, barrels etc.)

·         Transferring wine, blending, racking, filtering, barreling down, barrel maintenance

·         Inventory tracking of winemaking materials (yeasts, fining agents, cleaning supplies, etc.), unloading and loading shipments

·         Lab work (°Brix, Free/Total SO2, pH, Titratable Acidity, Volatile Acidity, Yeast Assimilable Nitrogen, Residual Sugars, Alcohol %)

·         Tank/Barrel additions (inoculations, nutrients, fining agents, sulphur, etc.)

·         Ongoing quality control, sampling, and organoleptic analyses to ensure wine quality

·         Shipping and receiving of winemaking materials

·         Forklift operations

Job Responsibilities in the Vineyard include:

·         Tractor operation and maintenance, including all machine implements (mulcher/mower, weed sprayer, roto-tiller, canopy sprayer, hedge-trimmer, roto-tiller, etc.)

·         Tracking and implementation of fertilization, soil enhancement, and spray programs for all vineyard properties

·         Ongoing Pest/Disease/Weed monitoring and control

·         Canopy management, repair/maintenance of the trellis wire system

·         Pruning/vine tying throughout the winter months

Other duties/responsibilities:

·         Assisting with set up for all small winery events

·         Offsite event help, pouring at festivals, etc.

·         Occasional work in the tasting room/lounge

The successful candidate will have:

·         Minimum 2 previous vintages and/or 1 full year in employ at a single winery

·         Forklift and/or tractor driving experience

·         Attention to detail and communication skills in English

·         Capacity to work well independently or with a team

·         Ability to lift up to 25kg and perform repetitive tasks

·         Excellent time management and prioritization skills

·         Capability to learn winery software (Vintrace)

·         Availability to legally work in Canada

·         Availability to work long hours, evenings or weekends during peak seasons

·         An honest, reliable and hard-working attitude

Assets may include:

·         BSc., diploma or certificate in winemaking or related science field

·         Experience with Traditional Method sparkling winemaking

·         Trade skills: plumbing, mechanical, refrigeration, etc.

·         Laboratory analysis skills

 

Compensation:

· $20-24/hr depending on experience/education
· Wine Club membership and employee discount

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