Viticulturist (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Maverick Estate

  Oliver, British Columbia

Viticulturist

Title/Classification:

Viticulturist - Full Time Salary

Report To:

Principle direction is given by the Winemaker/COO

Give Direction To:

Vineyard Staff including seasonal staff and cross training staff.

Position Summary:

The Viticulturist's vital role is responsible for managing the vineyard team, as well as the vineyards to ensure the production of high-quality grapes used in winemaking. They will work closely with the winemaker, ensuring that grape varieties are cultivated to meet the winery's specific style of premium wine production.

Viticulturist is a position which encompasses the following areas:

Vineyard Management

• Responsible for day-to-day workflow in the vineyard

• Provide annual vineyard plans and crop estimates

• Overseeing vineyard establishment, replanting and maintenance

• Responsible for developing and implementing all irrigation programs, spray programs, nutrient measurement and management, canopy management, pruning strategies

• Manages crop yields by adjusting vineyard practices, such as thinning clusters or reducing vine vigor

• Record keeping for all vineyard activities

• Responsible for spray records

• Responsible for ensuring materials and supplies are well stocked

• Perform vineyard tractor work. Tractor work can include mulching, mowing, cultivating, disking, spraying, hedging, compost spreading, seeding, harvesting, or operation of other vineyard implements.

• Maintenance of all vineyard tractors and machinery. Repair to vineyard tractors and machinery as required. 

• Maintain a clean environment for equipment shed and all equipment.

• Assisting crew with seasonal vineyard tasks as required, including pruning, shoot-thinning, tucking, wire lifting, leaf removal, fruit thinning etc.

• Trellis establishment and repairs

Team Management

• Provide training and supervision to vineyard crew

• Monitoring and record keeping of crew hours and timesheets

• Planning and recruitment of full time, seasonal and harvest workers

• Manage, motivate and mentor the vineyard team

• Promote a safe environment for workers and contractors

Financial Management

• Develop annual budget with Winemaker/COO

• Oversees the department budget.

• Evaluates budget consistently throughout the year to ensure all department operations are within budget. Adjusts spending accordingly.

• Allocate resources efficiently, including labour, equipment, and materials.

• Research, application and development of government and industry grants/funding 

Skills & Assets:

This position requires the following skills:

• Strong knowledge of Viticulture

• Knowledge of best practices in the vineyard, promoting sustainable practices

• Effectively manage the vineyard operations unattended

• Working alone safely

• Planning and troubleshooting skills

• Equipment and Tractor Driving

• People Management experience

• Strong communication skills and record keeping

Training/Support Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Viticulture, Oenology, Horticulture, Agriculture, or a related field

• 2-5 Years experience in a similar role

• Ability to work in all weather conditions, including extreme temperatures.

• Strong knowledge of grape varieties, vineyard management practices, and pest and disease control.

• Communication in Spanish and French an asset

• Strong multitasking skills, and managing of changing priorities 

• Mentoring by the Winemaker / COO and support from the other members of the vineyard team

• Access to industry information

• Off site courses, conferences and other educational opportunities that will deepen knowledge of vineyard technology, best practices and trends.

Work Schedule:

Maverick Estate Winery is a customer focused sales operation as well as a vineyard and winery production facility. It must operate accordingly. The vineyard operations take place mainly 5 days a week all year round. As the manager of all vineyard operations you will be expected to work: 7:00 am- 3:00 pm with one 30-min lunch break Monday to Friday.

This comprises of a 37.5-hour work week. Given the seasonality of the job and how it interacts with weather, if some weeks the workload is higher than this it is expected that you will adjust your hours so that you average the above work load over the year.

Compensation:

Base annual salary $60-$80 000/year and benefits upon completion of probationary period

Base annual salary $60-$80 000/year and benefits upon completion of probationary

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