The Ackley Brands Cellar III employee is a senior cellar and production role at our Prosser winery facility. This position reports directly to the Cellar Master and works closely with cellar and production team members to support daily winemaking operations at a high level.
This role supports both production-level winery operations and luxury brand production, requiring a strong balance of efficiency, precision, and care. The right person for this role brings meaningful cellar experience, sound judgment, and a strong team-first mindset. This individual can work independently on complex cellar tasks, contribute reliably during harvest, and take pride in producing high-quality work in a collaborative environment. This is a hands-on role for someone who respects the craft, values precision, and understands how to execute well across both large-scale production demands and premium winemaking programs.
Key Responsibilities
Harvest and Crush
•  Receive and sort incoming fruit and support crush operations
•  Operate and maintain crush, destemming, and press equipment safely and effectively
•  Monitor fermentations and carry out pump-overs, rackings, and cap management protocols
•  Maintain accurate cellar logs and production records throughout harvest
•  Work extended hours, including weekends, during harvest and other peak production periods
Barrel Program Support
•  Execute barrel fills, topping, rotations, and maintenance with consistency and care
•  Support barrel room organization, inventory accuracy, and recordkeeping
•  Perform barrel cleaning, sulfur treatments, and cooperage maintenance
•  Assist the Cellar Master and winemaking team with barrel evaluations, selections, and related cellar support
•  Experience working with high-end barrels is a strong plus
General Cellar Operations
•  Perform sanitation, CIP procedures, and general cellar housekeeping
•  Support tank transfers, blending trials, filtration, and wine movements as directed
•  Operate cellar equipment safely and responsibly, including pumps, presses, forklifts, and related production tools
•  Identify equipment or maintenance issues and communicate them promptly to the Cellar Master



•  Follow all safety procedures, including chemical handling, PPE, and confined space protocols
•  Work collaboratively with other cellar and production staff to maintain an efficient and well-run operation
Qualifications
•  3+ years of cellar, winery production, or closely related beverage manufacturing experience preferred
•  At least one full harvest cycle in a hands-on cellar role required
•  Working knowledge of standard cellar equipment and wine production fundamentals
•  Ability to operate forklifts or willingness and ability to become forklift certified
•  Strong understanding of sanitation standards, cellar safety, and quality expectations
•  Ability to work independently while also contributing positively as part of a team
•  Reliable, low-ego, hard-working approach with a genuine respect for the craft
Preferred Qualifications
•  Experience supporting a barrel-forward red wine program
•  Familiarity with winery ERP, cellar management software, or digital production tracking systems
•  Prior Washington or Oregon winery experience is a plus
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
•  Ability to lift and carry 50+ pounds
•  Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and work on your feet for extended periods
•  Ability to work in varying temperatures, including cold cellar and cave environments
•  Ability to work extended shifts, early mornings, evenings, and weekends during harvest
This full-time, hourly role is based full-time in Prosser, Washington and reports directly to the Cellar Master