WineTalent is working with Crown Point Vineyards on an Estate Winemaker search

About the Company: Crown Point Vineyards is a high-end, boutique winery in Santa Ynez, CA. The winery focuses on quality-driven, world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec & Petit Verdot within the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA. The winery is dedicated to producing the best possible wine from the estate vineyard. The award-winning estate winery program is managed in conjunction with winemaking consultant Philippe Melka.

About the Position: The Winemaker will be a very hands-on vintner. The Winemaker works closely with the vineyard team and is involved in viticultural decisions. This person will be responsible for all winemaking from grape receipt through to cellaring, bottling and warehousing. The Winemaker will also be an ambassador for the brand in trade and consumer events, as well as with media and VIPs.

Responsibilities:
•  Oversee all winemaking duties at the winery. Handle all winemaking duties from receipt of grapes through to fermentation, barreling, cellaring, bottling and inventory management.
•  Partner with the vineyard manager on viticultural practices, farming decisions and harvest planning.
•  Supervise cellar crew throughout year
•  Plan and carry out bottling operations including ordering all supplies, labels, as well as maintaining appropriate cellar staffing levels.
•  Interviewing, hiring and managing harvest staff.
•  Work with winery staff on marketing and consumer sales efforts.
•  While maintaining quality winemaking processes for the estate wines, manage custom crush operations for a small number of luxury clients.
•  Regularly attend trade and consumer events, acting as an ambassador of the wines and supporting the sales effort of the brands.
•  Manage winemaking and cellar operations to an approved budget, notifying management of significant budgetary changes as necessary.

Qualifications:
•  Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture and Enology, Fermentation Science, Chemistry or closely related discipline. Advanced degrees also highly desirable.
•  Minimum of 7 years of experience in winemaking roles with increasing responsibilities.
•  Proven track record of producing critically acclaimed wines.
•  Ability to perform cellar and bottling operations including moving barrels, using a forklift and a mechanical aptitude to troubleshoot issues as needed.
•  Keen ability to work with all members within a company and outside vendors.
•  Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills
•  Spanish language skills highly desirable.

Compensation and Benefits:
•  This is a full-time, salaried position. The salary range is $140,000 to $160,000. Candidates with applicable experience that have salary requirements outside of this range are encouraged to apply.
•  Competitive salary plus incentive bonus. Benefits include medical, dental, vision and life insurance. Additional benefits include 401(K) with employer match, HSA, PTO, and holiday pay.

About WineTalent: WineTalent is a wine industry focused recruitment company. We work closely with our clients and our job seekers to find the right fit of talents, experience and work environment. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.

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