Arizona Stronghold Vineyards
Job Description – Winemaker


Position Summary:
The Winemaker (WM) directs, and whenever possible participates in, the day-to-day operations of the winery. The WM is responsible for supervising and managing production staff, ensuring that all winemaking procedures are carried out in a way which optimizes quality and profitability for the company.

Reports to: Company Owners and coordinates with General Manager (GM)


Specific Areas of Responsibility:

Groundwork
•  Assure communication and coordination between winery and vineyards to assure continuity in winemaking process.
•  Train, educate and raise the level of staffing skills and knowledge in the winery.
•  Maintain product quality and address supply and demand fluctuations in conjunction with Sales and Management team to ensure that case volumes, quality and financial goals of the company are achieved without accruing excessive inventory and running out of products too early in an annual cycle.
•  Help determine the facility capabilities and staffing requirements for production. Generate and maintain long-term strategy to ensure future growth of the company
•  Continue to develop wine portfolio that supports the company’s philosophy, branding, and winemaking style and price point in each tier.

Harvest & Crush
•  Assure Winery is ready for crush and that equipment has been serviced and cleaned.
•  Develop overall fruit sourcing/growing and program plan in conjunction with Vineyard Manager (VM) and ownership.
•  Influence and guide picking decisions and harvest scheduling in coordination with VM as it pertains to stylistic and strategic goals.
•  Plan and coordinate fruit transportation and logistics for company and clients in conjunction with VM.
•  Determine daily & weekly schedules for production including logistics of tank/fermentor and floor space based on harvest prediction.
•  Supervise fruit intake and evaluation.
•  Oversee all production matters including grape harvesting, crushing/pressing, fermentation and barreling down. Ensure that all necessary must and juice additions are carried out including SO2, acid, enzymes, tannins, yeast, nutrients, ML bacteria etc.
•  Monitor and maintain the health of all fermentations. Update fermentation sheets to reflect all active fermentations. Record dates, times, fermentation rates and temperatures, as well as any additions, especially inoculations and feedings.
•  Create and Punch-down/Cap management schedules and guide fermentation management as it relates to style and program
•  Assure appropriate record keeping for internal needs and legal compliance with Federal and State regulations relating to winemaking activities. Ensure all weigh tags are entered in Vintrace and all info is logged in harvest and fermentation spreadsheet.


Post Crush and Mid and Late Term Winemaking
•  Work with team to develop annual, monthly, and weekly cellar work schedule (racking, blending, filtration, bottling etc.)
•  Coordinate and assure execution of fining trials, defect mitigation processes and general wine risk assessments; determine appropriate final chemistry adjustments to wine when needed.
•  Identify blending options in accordance to winemaking goals, work with team to finalize stylistic choices.
•  Develop a logistical plan to maximize efficiency of each bottling round with regard to tank logistics, filtration, and packaging changeouts.
•  Develop, plan and implement bottle/barrel aging strategies and release timing of all products in conjunction with the Sales team.
•  Help determine packaging design in conjunction Sales and Marketing.
•  Oversee and insure timeliness and quality of bottling.
•  Oversee packaging supply orders and logistics (train Assistant Winemaker to handle this).
•  Assure the cellar and lab are in a clean and organized manner at all times and that sanitation protocols are in place. No job should be deemed finished until all cleanup and/sanitation is complete and all equipment is put away.

Custom Crush
•  Bring in Custom Crush business in conjunction with team.
•  Develop client contracts.
•  High Level liaison to custom-crush clients.
•  Assure overall quality customer service and reporting for clients.
•  Provides assessment of wine and recommends necessary potential winemaking measures.

General Supervisory Role
•  Oversee all production, cellar and lab employees and uphold winery standards.
•  Lead and motivate the winemaking team; communicate winemaking goals to employees.
•  Responsible for ensuring the understanding and cross-training of the winemaking team.
•  Conduct annual performance evaluations; recommend salary adjustments; rewards employees or takes disciplinary action, as necessary; addresses complaints and resolves issues.
•  Prepare cellar work orders (or delegate certain work order processes) and other instruction to communicate winemaking directions to winemaking team.
•  Assure winery compliance

Other Duties
•  Manages overall facility maintenance in unison with winemaking team.
•  Source and collaborate on all equipment purchases and installation. Consult with the CFO on periodic cost analysis to ensure budget parameters are met.
•  Interface with other departments in order to ensure an understanding of products, style, process etc.
•  Participate in marketing and public relations activities. Represent the Company periodically at a variety of on and offsite events.
•  Serve as lead technical spokesperson for the winery.
•  Coordinate with the winemaking team to ensure that all safety programs are up-to-date and maintained.
•  Work with all staff to maintain the basic cleanliness of the non-work areas of the facility. Set standard and assign duties including cleaning the restrooms and break room, doing the dishes and removing waste.