Fortress Custom Crush is looking for a qualified and passionate individual to join our 2026 harvest crew. Fortress Custom Crush is a multi-faceted custom winemaking facility that delivers high quality winemaking services to a variety of clients. Since 2017, our winemaking team has served wine brands making between 2 and 100+ tons from grape receival to bottle. Working at Fortress Custom Crush, you will gain experience in all sides of the winemaking process alongside our small, tight-knit winemaking team. You will work with grapes coming as far south as Ventura County all the way up to Monterey County. We host about 20 (and counting) wine brands producing a wide variety of styles. You will be working with Rhone, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Italian, Spanish, and several other varieties. We produce still and sparkling wines, all made with the highest standards possible in the custom crush business. Fortress Custom Crush also hosts several of our clients’ wines by the bottle, glass, and in flights at our onsite restaurant/tasting room The Anderson Paso.
We are looking for someone that digs wine, can adapt to a fast-paced work environment, makes decisions on the fly and takes initiative. Ideally, you have worked at least 1-2 harvests, but we are willing to train the right person.

If a positive and supportive work culture and vibe is what you are looking for this vintage, look no further.

Reports to: Assistant Winemaker and Cellar Master
Non-Exempt Full-time Hourly Position Seasonal/Temporary

Job Summary: Under the direction of the Cellar Master and Assistant Winemaker, the Cellar Worker is involved in all areas of production.

Essential Function

Harvest Responsibilities:
o Working on the sorting line
o Pump overs and punch-downs
o Fermentation monitoring and additions
o Winery and equipment cleaning and sanitation
o Racking and barreling down wines and barrel stirring
o Press operation

General Cellar Responsibilities:
o Cleaning and sanitation of tanks, lines, floors, drains, gates, crush pad, press pad, catwalks
o Maintaining all cellar items organized in their place
o Maintaining winery equipment to a clean and operable manner
o Report unsafe or unsanitary conditions to Cellar Master, Associate Winemaker or Winemaker

Knowledge, Skill and Experience:
•  High School diploma/GED
•  Must be at least 21 years of age
•  1-2 years of hands-on cellar experience
•  Good verbal communication skills and ability to read and write in English

Physical Requirements/Work Environment
•  Works indoors and outdoors
•  Works in warm and cold climates
•  Works in high places
•  Works on wet surfaces
•  Is exposed to loud noises, fumes, and/or toxic chemicals
•  Works near moving, mechanical parts and lifts, and truck traffic
•  Must be able to move up to 55 lbs.
•  Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time

We look forward to hearing from you!