WineTalent is working with Dominus Estate on a Viticulturist search

About the Company: Dominus Estate is a luxury estate winery based in Yountville. Dominus was founded by Christian Moueix to produce wine of unparalleled quality. The company is committed to adaptive viticulture; embracing sustainability and dry farming techniques to produce balanced vines producing complex wines.

About the Position: The Viticulturist is a key figure in ensuring the exceptional quality of the vineyard operations and, ultimately, the grapes produced for high-quality wine. Reporting directly to the Vineyard Director, this role demands a meticulous, hands-on approach to vineyard management, ensuring that all processes are executed at the highest level of precision and care. This individual will foster strong cross-functional relationships with the Vineyard Foreman, Mechanic, Lab Manager, and other key team members, while leading a dedicated team of vineyard monitors and interns. The role emphasizes quality control, innovation, sustainability, and safety to uphold the integrity of the vineyard.

Core Responsibilities:
•  Vineyard Operations and Quality Control: Maintain a daily presence in the vineyard to ensure operations meet the highest standards for grape production.
o Collaborate closely with the Vineyard Foreman to clarify instructions, monitor execution, and verify that all tasks, from pruning to harvest, are performed with precision.
o Conduct in-depth checks through counts and measurements (e.g., bud numbers, crop loads), providing detailed reports to the Vineyard Director and vineyard management team.
o Continuously assess vineyard practices and propose new methods to improve vine health, fruit quality, and operational efficiency.
o Lead training for vineyard workers on techniques that enhance grape quality, vine sustainability, and the importance of safety protocols in all vineyard tasks.
•  Vineyard Monitoring and Data Collection (“Eyes of the Vineyard”):
o Oversee the comprehensive monitoring of vineyard conditions, acting as the principal resource for real-time insights into vine health, pest activity, and disease threats.
o Implement advanced monitoring techniques to track vine nutrition, hydration, stress and disease levels, ensuring rapid identification and resolution of potential issues.
o Develop and refine data collection protocols, integrating the latest technology (Sentinel, GPS) to create detailed disease and environmental stress maps.
o Work with a team of vineyard employees to conduct regular scouting and ensure consistent, high-quality monitoring, analyzing results to optimize vineyard management strategies.
•  Sustainability and Innovation:
o Drive sustainability initiatives that align with long-term vine health and production goals, including dry farming practices, and water conservation techniques.
o Research and implement new technologies and AI applications to improve vineyard efficiency, grape quality, and environmental impact.
o Champion innovative solutions for managing rising temperatures, reducing pesticide usage, and enhancing vineyard biodiversity.
o Collaborate with the Vineyard Director to identify and test new equipment, ensuring all tools contribute to maintaining the high standards of grape quality and sustainability.
•  Team Leadership and Collaboration:
o Foster a collaborative environment across teams, ensuring smooth coordination between the vineyard team, lab, and mechanical staff.
o Lead the training and development of vineyard team captains, interns, and full-time vineyard monitors, providing mentorship and oversight to maintain operational excellence.
o Work with the Vineyard Foreman to manage and optimize the performance of vineyard crews, ensuring a cohesive and motivated team.
o Coordinate the daily activities of interns and vineyard monitoring staff, delegating tasks and ensuring accuracy and consistency in all vineyard data collection and reporting.
•  Safety and Compliance:
o Ensure the implementation and enforcement of safety protocols across all vineyard operations, with a specific focus on pesticide application, equipment handling, and labor safety standards.
o Maintain thorough records of pesticide applications, ensuring full compliance with local and federal regulations.
o Conduct regular safety trainings for the vineyard team and lead by example in prioritizing a safe working environment for all staff.
o Regularly audit vineyard operations to ensure they meet both quality and safety standards and address any discrepancies swiftly.
•  Research, Development, and Reporting:
o Lead research projects aimed at improving disease control, vine health, and overall vineyard sustainability, using data-driven methods and innovative technologies.
o Produce detailed reports on vineyard performance, highlighting areas of success and opportunities for improvement, and communicate findings to the Vineyard Director and key stakeholders.
o Stay abreast of the latest industry trends, research, and best practices, applying new knowledge to continually improve the quality and sustainability of vineyard operations.

Qualifications and Profile:
•  Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture, Agriculture, Plant Science or related discipline. Work experience in lieu of a degree will also be considered.
•  Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in vineyard management, with a strong emphasis on quality control, data-driven monitoring, and sustainability practices.
•  Technical Skills: Proficiency with vineyard technology such as Sentinel, GPS, and AI-driven tools for data collection and analysis. Knowledge of disease mapping and precision viticulture is essential.
•  Leadership: Proven experience in team management and collaboration across departments. Ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a team focused on achieving the highest standards of vineyard performance.