SUMMARY
The Vineyard Manager (VM) manages Abbott Claim’s farming, viticulture practices, new vineyard development and grape sales.
Utilizing technical viticulture expertise and first-hand experience, the VM aims to promote vine health, sustainability, crop yield and quality, while maintaining our commitment to organic and regenerative farming practices, including physiological pruning, cover cropping, composting, and the protection of native plants and animal habitat.
This role is also responsible for all non-vineyard land and roads, including annual maintenance of gravel roads and drainage ditches, erosion control, removal of invasive species and fallen timber, as well as seasonal fire maintenance of the landscape and land lease/rental relations. The VM supports the development and maintenance of intentional landscaping, restoration of oak woodlands, conservation of the existing rainwater catchment pond, and associated infrastructures.
The VM oversees and manages the sale of grapes to client wineries, including the development of grape purchase agreements, vineyard-client relationships, and ensures the fulfillment of harvested grapes to clients.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Vineyard
•  Collaborates on the farm planning and budgeting with Winemaker and Financial Manager; implements the farm plan and manages costs associated for all producing and newly developed estate vineyards.
•  Oversees pruning, tying, shoot thinning, shoot positioning, canopy management, suckering, crop estimation, crop thinning, nutrition, pest and fungicide management, and harvest coordination.
•  Develops and manages seasonal organic spray programs for nutrition and disease pressure, maintaining spray intervals, purchasing materials, scheduling and maintaining sprayer equipment.
•  Visits all vineyard blocks on a regular basis to observe pest pressure, vine condition, and the progress and quality of viticulture practices. Provides feedback to Winemaker on work and vine quality.
•  Reviews vineyard performance with Winemaker to determine annual pruning strategies and all vineyard practices that may affect yield and fruit quality.
•  Coordinates and ensures proper implementation of vineyard operations including managing contractors, supervision and safety, labor, tractor operations and equipment.
•  Follows all best practices in equipment operation and maintenance.
•  Responsible for the creation and implementation of a schedule to monitor individual block performance and highlight issues such as pests, disease, virus, vigor, and natural disasters (ie frost, smoke, hail).
•  Develops and implement nutrition programs and validate results through leaf and petiole analysis and other diagnostic procedures.
•  Integrates agro-ecological principles into vineyard practices, including biodiversity enhancement, soil health, and ecosystem restoration.
•  Manages trial blocks for experimental varieties and techniques.
•  Collaborates with Winemaker on new vineyard development.
•  Oversees the development of new estate vineyards including budget, timeline, schedule, layout design, plant ordering, planting, and establishment procedures.
•  Maintains all necessary viticulture records including phenology, disease and virus, crop estimates, and harvest weight information.
•  Maintains regulatory record-keeping such as spray records, MSDS log and safety procedures, county permits, and crop insurance.

Non-Vineyard
•  Collaborates with team members regarding conservation and environmental corridors, water catchment, landscaping, road and facility maintenance.
•  Develops budgets, timelines and schedules for projects associated with the estate properties including ongoing removal of invasive species, tree management, and oak woodland restoration.
•  Coordinates sub-contractors including scheduling, timelines, and compliance for non-vineyard operations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
•  Manages Abbott Claim's vineyard crew.
•  Schedules and manages the necessary personnel for seasonal vineyard operations in relationship with budgeted labor costs.
•  Ensures timely planning, initiation, and completion of all viticulture practices.
•  Promotes safety in the vineyard and trains employees for safety programs and all vineyard tasks, including pesticide and herbicide applications.
•  Promotes a dynamic, positive, inclusive work-environment for vineyard crew members.
•  Promotes learning, technical proficiency and high standards of quality with vineyard crew members.
•  Assumes responsibility for the accurate and timely submission of employee work time records.
•  Leads the hiring process of any new crew members.

QUALIFICATIONS
•  Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Viticulture/Enology related fields or equivalent.
•  5+ years of viticultural experience with 3+ years of supervisory experience, or equivalent.
•  Proficient in Spanish.
•  Must be able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
•  Clear communication skills and comfortable working collaboratively with all levels of the organization.
•  Ability to lead teams in an effective and positive manner.
•  Ability to work long hours and in various weather conditions.
•  Demonstrated history of effective people management, both employees and Farm Labor Contractors (FLCs).
•  Physical ability to perform tasks that may require prolonged standing, sitting, lifting, and other activities necessary to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
•  Must have a valid Driver’s License

Travel requirements: 10% or less.
Reports to: Winemaker

We invite all interested candidates to apply, even if you are unsure about whether you meet all the listed qualifications. Abbott Claim is looking for motivated, passionate individuals who believe in our values and mission.