Assistant Winemaker
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
West Kelowna,
British Columbia
Established in 2017 with the purchase of the historic Bennett property in West Kelowna, BC, Canada, Frind Estate Winery blends agriculture with technological opportunity. Markus Frind’s family has a farming history spanning 500 years, both in Germany and northern BC. After the successful sale of plentyoffish.com, Markus is focusing his efforts on pairing technology with agriculture to produce terroir-driven British Columbia wines of exceptional quality.
The Role
The Assistant Winemaker supports all activities in the winemaking process. Provides technical collaboration to ensure superior wine quality at all stages of wine production, including the research and development stage and the raw material stage.
Under the direction of the Chief Winemaker, this position oversees day-to-day winery operations with an emphasis on wine quality, work planning, safety, sanitation, data management, and facility/equipment maintenance. Additional responsibilities include overseeing the bottling line production in West Kelowna and Osoyoos, training and oversight of cellar employees and up-keep of various winemaking records, safety records/reporting, government reporting forms and spreadsheets.
Responsibilities:
- Assists in the fermentation, blending, and aging of wines.
- Monitors and manages fermentation processes, including temperature and other critical parameters.
- Conducts sensory evaluations and assists in the development of wine profiles.
- Supports the Chief Winemaker in overseeing daily winery operations, including equipment maintenance and sanitation.
- Assists with the management of inventory, including barrels, tanks, and bottled wines.
- Ensures adherence to quality control measures and production schedules.
- Oversees the maintenance and upkeep of bottling line machinery and equipment to ensure they operate efficiently and safely. Schedules regular maintenance and repairs as needed.
- Participates in harvest activities, including grape sorting, crushing, and pressing.
- Collaborates with vineyard management to ensure grape quality and timely delivery.
- Participates in harvest planning and monitoring.
- Maintains detailed records of production processes, including fermentation notes and blending logs.
- Prepares reports on production activities, quality assessments, and inventory levels.
- Works closely with the winemaking team to develop and implement new techniques and processes.
- Works closely with the Chief Winemaker and other team members to ensure smooth operations and effective communication.
- Participates in team meetings and contributes to problem-solving and decision-making processes.
- Provides training and guidance to cellar staff as needed.
- Ensures compliance with all health, safety, and regulatory standards.
- Upholds best practices in hygiene and sanitation within the winery.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
● Bachelor’s degree in Enology, Viticulture, or a related field with at least 5 years of experience in a winemaking or winery production role, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
● Strong understanding of fermentation, blending, aging processes, and bottling.
● A knowledge and desire to work with various types of equipment and technology with a willingness to try new things.
● A strong emphasis on safety, quality and efficiency.
● Hands on and self-motivated.
● Proficiency in using winemaking software.
● Excellent sensory evaluation skills and a keen palate.
● Strong communication and teamwork skills. Excellent English written and verbal skills.
● Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.
● Valid driver’s license with a good driving history is required.
● Must be able to lift 50lbs+, stand for long periods of time and work long hours during peak periods, including weekends and holidays.
● Ability to work various shifts during harvest, bottling and as needed.
- Must have a valid Class 5 driver’s licence for the purpose of regularly travelling between vineyard sites across the Okanagan Valley between Vernon and Osoyoos.
Why Work for Us?
· Join a team of dedicated individuals who are passionate about wine and committed to excellence in every aspect of our operations.
· Whether you're just starting your career in the wine industry or are looking to take the next step, we offer opportunities for growth and development and learning at every level.
· We embrace innovation and creativity in everything we do, from winemaking techniques to customer experiences.
- Our commitment to excellence runs through everything we do, from vineyard management to customer service.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the position to [email protected].
Frind Winery is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
Join us at Frind Winery Ltd. and be a part of our journey to create exceptional wines and unforgettable experiences for our customers!
The pay range for this position is $75,000 to $85,000. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role. Actual placement within range will be contingent upon a number of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s qualifications, education, experience, internal equity, and alignment with market data.
