Summary
The Enologist plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity and quality of all wines produced by our winery. Working closely with winemaking, cellar, and bottling teams, this position oversees laboratory operations, conducts analytical testing, supports winemaking decisions, and ensures data integrity throughout the production cycle. During harvest, the Enologist may be responsible for leading and training a team of interns in lab procedures and safety.

This position is responsible for working directly with the winemaking team to complete all tasks related to wine analysis and quality assurance by performing the following duties:

Essential Duties
1. Conduct and Oversee Laboratory Analysis
2. Maintain Quality Control Across Production
3. Ensure Lab Accuracy, Safety, and Readiness

Job Duties

•  Perform and manage accurate and consistent lab analyses, including but not limited to: pH, TA, VA, SO2, alcohol, enzymatic and titration-based assays, and spectrophotometric methods.

•  Execute and monitor quality control metrics throughout the production lifecycle—from grape intake through fermentation, aging, and bottling.

•  Calibrate, maintain, and clean lab instruments and equipment; prepare standard solutions as required.

•  Organize routine and ad hoc sampling and analysis of juice, must, and wine in collaboration with winemaking staff.

•  Assess the validity of lab results and identify potential anomalies or deviations.

•  Develop, write, and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) and lab protocols.

•  Ensure compliance with safety standards and maintain MSDS documentation for all chemicals.

•  Participate in internal and external audits related to lab operations, bottling QA, and wine quality.

•  Train and supervise seasonal harvest interns or lab assistants, ensuring adherence to SOPs and safety practices.

•  Coordinate daily harvest analysis schedules and report findings to winemaking staff in real-time.

•  Make or oversee wine additions to tanks and barrels per winemaker direction (acid, SO2, nutrients, fining agents, etc.).

•  Accurately track and log all additions and transfers using winery software or lab records.

•  Communicate regularly with winemakers to review data, interpret results, and assist in data-driven decision-making.

•  Participate in tasting trials, blending sessions, and sensory evaluations as needed.

•  Provide bottling support through analysis and quality checks pre-, during, and post-bottling runs.

•  Maintain precise and organized records of all laboratory results and winemaking data.

•  Manage inventory of lab supplies, reagents, and chemicals, placing orders as necessary.


Qualifications

Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Education & Experience:

•  Bachelor’s degree in Enology, Chemistry, Food Science, or a related field.

•  2+ years of hands-on experience in a winery laboratory environment; harvest experience strongly preferred.

•  Strong understanding of wine chemistry, fermentation science, and sensory analysis.

•  Proficient in lab equipment usage (e.g., auto-analyzers, spectrophotometers) and Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with winery database systems (e.g., InnoVint, VinTrace) a plus.

•  Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to multitask in a dynamic production setting.

•  Effective communication skills and ability to collaborate cross-functionally.

•  Ability to lift 40 lbs and work extended hours during harvest.

Travel

This position requires occasional travel for 25% of the position, often day trips.


Certificates, Licenses and/or Registrations

A valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and automobile liability coverage or access to an insured vehicle.


Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Computer Skills

Job requires specialized computer skills. Must be adept at using various applications including database, spreadsheet, report writing, project management, graphics, word processing, presentation creation/editing, communicate by e-mail and use scheduling software.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be working near moving mechanical parts or in high precarious places. The employee may be exposed to non-weather wet or humid conditions, non-weather heat and/or cold, outdoor weather conditions, and to the risk of electric shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

While performing the duties of this job the employee must frequently lift up to 25 pounds and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is also regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers to type or dial, climb