Wine and Viticulture


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Submission #1086

Winemaking Intern - Benziger
Full Time
The Wine Group
Glen Ellen, CA
At The Wine Group we are passionate about our people, our future, and our wine. We are America’s second largest wine producer by volume with over 1,200 employees globally across 12 locations in California, New York, and Australia. We are proud to be responsible for many of America’s most beloved wine brands, including Cupcake, Franzia, Chloe, Concannon, Benziger, Imagery, AVA Grace, 7 Deadly and more. We are dedicated to our culture built on values like entrepreneurialism, innovation, social responsibility, and stewardship. To learn about us and our career opportunities, check us out at www.thewinegroup.com and then come join the exciting journey at The Wine Group.
JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Director of Winemaking, the Winemaking Intern at our Benziger Family Winery in Glen Ellen has duties that will vary with the intent to participate in the overall wine quality from grape to finished product while following sustainable Benziger/ TWG practices. The intern will be required to spend a given amount of time working in different roles within the facility to gain knowledge and understand practices, processes while developing leadership skills.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Will perform roles within the facility to gain knowledge and understand practices, processes while developing leadership skills (e.g., Grape handling, Cellar, Compliance, Winemaking, Analytical Lab and Research and Development.
Analytical Lab: Given an opportunity to learn all the various lab procedures and should be able to identify wine specs for all the different varietals upon completion of this section. They will be required to pull tank samples which will help in learning the tank farm and barrel storage locations.
Sanitation: The intern required to participate in the overall sanitation of the facility during the season. This gives an opportunity to learn the basics behind the process. The intern will work closely with the cellar employees during this process, which will help develop a good working relationship prior to the season.
Crush: During crush season the intern will be required to participate in all grape processing. This includes:
Ensuring that the weigh station is set up prior to the daily startup
Weighmaster for incoming grapes, sampling/recording cluster weights and recording grape condition and flavor. Communicating with winemakers and production manager with weights for tank selection/additions.
Work closely with the Production Manager and crusher lead to make sure grapes are going to the correct tank and the certification is consistent with the product and well labeled.
Assist with and ensure must additions are made
Responsible for nutrient additions to fermenters and daily tank top sensory. Must nutrient monitoring 2 x per day based on Brix level.
Assist with pump overs and punch downs – tannin management.
Responsible for daily Temperature control checks. Monitor systems are working, and tanks are set to the correct temperature.
Based on winemaker’s barrel plan – Locate and mark barrels for filling by lot.
Participate in and document all production scale winemaking trials
Lead our baseline smoke study – perform nano ferments and grape sampling/tracking items sent to our Ripon Lab.
Use of our vineyard tracking and wine tracking system to includes WT audit and other data entry, closing and data extraction.
Under the direction of the winemakers and Production Manager, write topping work orders and ensure lots are topped on schedule.
Assist in gathering data for our annual summit meeting.
Assist winemaking, lab, and cellar where and when needed.
Stay up to date with all cellar processing
Need to be able to answer questions about various states of processing when approached by others
Participate some bench top trials as directed by winemaking (fining, blending, etc.)
Learn why and how each piece of equipment functions in the cellar. This will require that the intern spends time with each of the operators on the various pieces of equipment around the winery.
The intern will be required to provide a status report on the internship upon completion of each of the major tasks above.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must be 21 or older upon starting employment
Enrolled in or recent graduate of an undergraduate program in Viticulture and Enology
Must be a college student or recent graduate, Junior Level in coursework, or above
Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Must be able to commit to a minimum of 10 weeks of full-time work
Must be highly proficient in Microsoft Office, the Internet and computer aptitude
Excels at creative problem solving
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Strong attention to detail and the ability to determine the root cause of the problem
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills with attention to detail
Prioritize while able to adapt to changing priorities
Ability work independently within set guidelines
Demonstrated reliability and punctuality, work effectively in team/crew environment, adherence to all safety regulations and operating procedures

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Position will be exposed to indoor and outdoor environments with varying noise levels
Ability to perform tasks requiring bending, stooping, standing, and twisting in the performance of various tasks in a production environment
Must be able to lift up to 50lbs occasionally


At The Wine Group, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to an environment of mutual respect, diversity, and inclusion. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristic protected by law.


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