Assistant Winemaker (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Azhadi Group

  Kelowna, British Columbia

Assistant Winemaker

 

The Azhadi Group is a privately held group of companies which develops and operates a selection of wineries and vineyards throughout the Okanagan Valley, including the established Ex Nihilo Vineyards operating in Lake Country, BC.  The Azhadi Group also owns additional vineyards the South and Central Okanagan.

In anticipation of the planned 2025 opening of the Azhadi Estate, located in Kelowna BC, we are seeking growing our winemaking team with the addition of an Assistant Winemaker.  This is an excellent unique opportunity to get in early and further your career with a best in class, people-first culture in a growing privately held organization.

We seek to provide meaningful work and create meaningful relationships.  We respect people; we communicate openly; we are team players; we are accountable; and we are trustworthy.

Gratitude is at our core; whether it be the land, the opportunity, or the people who we work with and visit us. We are building an environment where people come together, feel valued and will grow in their respective career paths.

 

The Role

The Assistant Winemaker of Azhadi Vineyards will work under the guidance of our Group Winemaker and assist in all duties involved in the winemaking process. In addition to your passion for making extraordinary wines, you are a team player willing to go the extra mile; you communicate openly with colleagues and supervisors with respect; you are accountable for yourself and your work products; and you are innovative and look for solutions. At your core, you are trustworthy, desire personal and career growth and your integrity guides your decisions. You also have proven yourself in matters requiring confidentiality and discretion and are adaptable to competing demands for your time and ability to prioritize accordingly.

 

Primary areas of responsibility will include:

•      Harvest activities including receiving and weighing of grapes

•      Sorting, crushing, pressing grapes

•      Cleaning and sanitation of all winery equipment

•      Must, juice and wine additions

•      Pump-overs and punch-downs

•      Tank and press emptying and sanitation

•      Barrel maintenance: racking, sulphuring, topping, and stirring

•      Fermentation monitoring

•      Barrel filling and cellar organization

•      Proficient use and handling of winery additives

•      Maintain digital wine records (Excel and word)

Other tasks within the cellar or on the property to assist with the cellar team under the direction of the Group Winemaker.

Preferred education and experience:

•      Bachelor’s Degree in Oenology or Food Science, preferred,

•      Experience working in a winery cellar and/or lab testing experience, preferred

•      Experience in managing people and coordination of cellar crew

Requirements:

•      Able to work safely in busy production environment around equipment and additions

•      Ability to operate various driving equipment safely including forklifts

•      Excellent attention to detail and quality

•      Mechanical skills in relation to winery equipment and maintenance

•      Ability to lift 50 pounds and be able to be on feet for long periods of time

•      Valid drivers license and personal reliable transportation

•      Legally permitted and eligible to work in Canada and fluent in English; other languages are an asset

•      Flexible scheduling. Certain periods of the year require more hours and accordingly, we request a flexible schedule from our people and ability to work longer hours and various shifts and weekends during the harvest season. You can expect fair compensation for your investment.

 

Competitive monthly compensation will be commensurate with experience.  There is significant upcoming growth in the organization as we build upon our existing winery operations and move from construction stages to operational stages; accordingly, there is an excellent opportunity to grow professionally with the Group. 

Please send CV to [email protected].   Selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.

 

Location:  Kelowna, BC

Anticipated Start Date: September 2024

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