Entry Level Harvest Enologist - Robert Mondavi Winery

Job Description

Company Summary

Robert Mondavi established his namesake winery in 1966 with a vision for creating a collection of wines from Napa Valley that could compete with the world’s finest. Our winemaking at RMW continues with this philosophy. We have the unparalleled opportunity to work with fruit from the To Kalon vineyard, which produces some of the finest grapes in Napa Valley, and we strive to help this amazing fruit shine by handling every detail from vine to bottle with the utmost care and attention. We are also in the midst of a complete renovation of the winery, which is allowing us even more opportunity to fine tune our winemaking process, and to highlight fruit from small parcels to craft excellent, age-worthy wines.

Position Summary

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has a solid foundation in Winemaking, Cellar and Lab principles, and who has a passion for making high quality wine. This position works directly with the Winemaking Team and will provide integral winemaking support. The position does not require routine Cellar or Lab work; however, collaboration with the Cellar and Lab teams will be constant, and occasional light tasks may be required in either area.

This is a temporary assignment, generally from July through November. Schedules are determined on an as-needed basis to keep up with grape processing. This will likely include some weekend work during peak season, and may also include some overtime.

General Responsibilities

• Winemaking/Admin – generate work orders for grape and wine processing
• Analysis/Lab – maintain updated list of samples for phenolics tracking, ensure that samples are uploaded and named correctly, assist with data compilation and tracking
• Cellar – help monitor crushing of reds in To Kalon and Back cellars; work closely with winemakers to share progress and concerns
• Vineyard - assist winemakers with vineyard maturity sampling, block monitoring, brix mapping
• Vineyard – assist winemakers with grape phenolics sampling and mapping
• Cellar – support daily ferment monitoring and communication, as needed
• Cellar – help monitor press cuts on white grapes; communicate progress and issues to winemakers
• Cellar – visit other internal wineries to check in on tanks and barrels, and to pick up and drop off supplies
• Cellar – assist with lot sampling for analysis or tasting on as-needed basis
• Cellar – carry out small-scale winemaking trials, prepare initial drafts on findings
• Cellar – pick up/drop off winemaking supplies and product/wine samples 
• Winemaking – taste and evaluate wines with winemaking team
• Winemaking/Admin – help to compile and organize grape, ferment and wine data
• Winemaking/Admin – assist with other projects/assignments as needed
• General – other tasks and projects as needed

Minimum Qualifications

• Prior harvest experience in Cellar, Lab and/or Winemaking; solid grasp of winemaking principles
• Technically capable (experience with Vintrace an extra plus)
• Availability to work from July through the end of November
• Ability to work various shifts including weekends and overtime
• Excellent organizational and communication skills – oral and written
• Must be at least 21 years of age

Preferred Qualifications

• Recent graduate or pursuing a degree in Enology and/or Viticulture or related field
• Solid understanding of the winemaking process and good wine tasting skills
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to communicate in Spanish

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Working conditions in certain areas of the winery are cold, warm, wet, slippery and noisy. Involves exposure to loud noises, fumes, toxic chemicals, near moving mechanical parts and lift truck traffic. Frequent walking, standing, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouch or crawl, going up and down stairs and ladders. Must be able to move up to 55 lbs. Must have a valid driver’s license. Occasional travel with ability to work weekends and overtime. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Location

Oakville, California

Additional Locations

Job Type

Full time

Job Area

Internships

Equal Opportunity

Constellation Brands is committed to a continuing program of equal employment opportunity. All persons have equal employment opportunities with Constellation Brands, regardless of their sex, race, color, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics), marital status, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), familial status, military or veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions (or any other group or category within the framework of the applicable discrimination laws and regulations).