Viticulture & Estate Operations Manager

Reports To: Winemaker & CFO

Position Summary

Viticulture Responsibilities
•  Serve as the primary contact for all viticulture-related activities across Ponzi’s owned, leased, and contracted vineyard sites.
•  Lead vineyard development planning, budgeting, and project management for new and existing vineyard sites. Oversee timelines, vendor relationships, and resource allocation to ensure projects meet quality and financial targets.
•  Manage grape supply planning and sales: vineyard contracts, crop estimates, sampling, harvest coordination, fruit sales, and overall fruit quality oversight.
•  Manage annual vineyard planning including pruning, sprays, amendments, and harvest readiness.
•  Oversee and implement on-site composting.
•  Supervise third-party vineyard management companies to ensure adherence to Ponzi’s farming standards and quality targets.
•  Conduct field scouting, monitor vine health, collect and input seasonal data to guide decision-making.
•  Supervise grape/cluster sampling during vintage – directing interns to family/grower vineyards.
•  Partner with the Winemaker on picking decisions and post-harvest analysis.
•  Collect and maintain vineyard data in Innovint and achieve/maintain certifications (LIVE, Organic, Regenerative).
•  SOP creation and/or maintenance as it relates to Vineyard Operations.
•  Vineyard map creation and/or maintenance for Ponzi’s owned, leased, and contracted vineyard sites.
•  Represent Ponzi at industry events, seminars, and meetings to stay current on best practices and emerging trends in viticulture.

Winemaking Responsibilities
•  Assist Cellar Staff with the completion of work orders and wine-related projects
•  General safety, cleanliness and appearance of cellar.

Type of work includes, but is not limited to:
•  Wine movements e.g. racking, transfers, topping, filtration, etc.
•  Barrel and tank upkeep and cleaning
•  Sample pulling e.g. juice, wine, vineyard samples
•  Performing wine/Juice additions
•  Bottling and Packaging operations
•  Forklift operation based off ability/experience
•  General cellar/facility cleaning and upkeep
•  General wine equipment cleaning and upkeep

Property Management Responsibilities
•  Property landscaping needs as it relates to aesthetics and general property requirements.
•  Property facility needs as it relates to R&M, PMs, scheduling of work and vendors.
•  Property and facility safety needs, generating/keeping current all SOPs.
•  Maintain OSHA compliance.

More about Ponzi Vineyards:
Founded by Dick and Nancy Ponzi in 1970, Ponzi Vineyards is one of Oregon’s original wineries that has contributed to fostering the success and growth of the region’s Pinot Noir over the last 50 years. In April 2021, the Bollinger Family united with the Ponzi Family in its first official acquisition outside of France with Luisa Ponzi remaining as the Director of Winemaking and Viticulture.
We are a premium Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producer that is located just 22 miles from Downtown Portland in the Chehalem Mountains/Laurelwood District AVAs.

More about The Bollinger Family:
In addition to the iconic Champagne Bollinger, the Bollinger family owns the following leading historic French producers: Champagne Ayala, founded in 1860, and specialist in Chardonnay-dominant Champagnes; Domaine Chanson, founded in 1750, owner of 111 acres of Premier and Grand Cru vineyards in the heart of Burgundy; Langlois-Chateau, founded in 1885, a leading historical producer of Cremant and now also with important Sancerre holdings, all together totaling 175 acres in the best parts of the Loire Valley; and Cognac Delamain, founded in 1824, renowned for focusing entirely on the production of highest quality, aged Cognacs, only XO and above. These domains are all linked to their terroir by owning and farming vineyards. S.J. Bollinger’s mission is to offer consumers around the world great experiences around premium wines from the best wine regions.

This position is eligible for full time benefits, including health insurance, PTO, sick time and 401k.