POSITION DESCRIPTION
VINEYARD MANAGER – PART TIME

Bluebird Hill Cellars is a family-owned vineyard and winery producing boutique levels of award-winning wines from the southwestern Willamette Valley. The business was named ‘Winery to Watch’ for 2024 by Great Northwest Wine Magazine and has received regional and national acclaim for their wines.


Duties and Responsibilities:

The Vineyard Manager will be responsible for 3.25 acres of estate vineyard in Monroe, Oregon, a part of the Willamette Valley AVA. The vineyard is planted at high density (5’ x 5’), managed conventionally with sustainable good practices, and fruit is typically used 100% for estate winemaking at Bluebird Hill Cellars.

The Vineyard Manager will report to the Owners and Consultants as needed and will coordinate with the crew manager of an outside labor company.

Bluebird Hill Cellars is a family-owned vineyard and winery producing boutique levels of award-winning wines from the southwestern Willamette Valley. The business was named ‘Winery to Watch’ for 2024 by Great Northwest Wine Magazine and has received regional and national acclaim for their wines.

o Management of the pest control program. The viticulturist should have a Pest Control Advisor license or be working toward certification. Knowledge of IPM practices is required, and the candidate will be expected to stay up-to-date on current issues in fungicide resistance.
o Weekly field scouting and records of vineyard observations
o Adhere to IPM strategies for controlling insects and diseases
o Knowledge of spray chemistries, rotation, and pesticide resistance
o Sample plant material for viral, bacterial, or fungal pathogens when needed
o Coordinate spray applications, including writing work orders and ordering chemicals
o Knowledge of, and compliance with all appropriate regulations
o Coordinate tissue sampling (bloom and veraison) to determine nutrition needs
o Schedule soil testing and interpret soil nutrient analyses
o Recommend appropriate fertilizers and foliar nutrient applications
o Maintain current, accurate and organized records of all applications
o Work with the Foremen to create plans for vineyard floor cultivation, cover cropping, and weed management
o Along with the Labor Crew Manager, ensure the quality and timeliness of canopy management activities
o Calculate crop estimates and oversee cluster weighing and counting
o Recommend appropriate fruit thinning practices
o Track phenology throughout the growing season and estimate harvest dates
o Conduct 6-8 sprays per season with tractor-mounted sprayer
o Mulch cut and discarded canes with tractor-mounted flail mower
o Change 3-point tractor implements as needed seasonally


Abilities and other Requirements
o A bachelor's/Master's degree in Viticulture or related field/s from an accredited university is preferred; or several years experience in vineyard management.
o Oregon driver's license with clean record
o Minimum of three (3) years working experience in related field/s
o Ability and certification in tractor operation and tractor safety
o Must be able to provide proof of identify as well as legal authorization to work in the United States
Ability to move in and around personal workspace and to and from other areas of the property; as well as be capable of squatting, bending and walking through the vineyard as needed. This would also include adapting to environmental changes throughout the seasons such as heat, rain, cold, wind, etc.
o Capable of learning and following all company policies and working as a team to ensure the same from subordinates
o Although Spanish is not a requirement, the ability to speak and understand it is desirable.
o Lifting requirements include a minimum of 50lbs.
o Anticipated work hours will average 10-15 hours per week.

Competitive salary and benefits to be discussed at time of interview

To be considered, please send an email with statement of interest and self-application along with your resume to info@bluebirdhillcellars.wine