Winemaker
Crown Point Vineyards | Santa Ynez, California
Full-Time | Reports to: Estate Director

About Crown Point
Crown Point Vineyards is a privately owned estate winery in the eastern foothills of the Santa Ynez Valley, approximately 35 minutes north of Santa Barbara. Our purpose is to set the standard for coastal Cabernet Sauvignon through excellence, sustainability, and hospitality while elevating recognition of our region. We produce Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-inspired wines that express our estate in the Happy Canyon AVA of Santa Barbara.

The Opportunity
We seek an experienced, dynamic Winemaker to lead estate production and serve as a prominent brand ambassador. This hands-on role combines independent cellar management, collaboration with engaged ownership and our on-site Vineyard Manager, consulting with winemakers, and extensive domestic travel to support sales. The successful candidate will preserve Crown Point's established house style, execute established protocols, recommend thoughtful refinements, and take ownership of production quality and commercial engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Winemaking & Quality
- Direct estate production from harvest through fermentation, extraction, pressing, élevage, blending preparation, and bottling.
- Preserve the established house style, emphasizing concentration, structure, balance, complexity, and aging potential.
- Execute established cellar and winemaking protocols; recommend technically supported improvements.
- Collaborate with ownership and consulting winemakers on style, wine evaluation, and blending.
- Monitor chemistry, microbiological stability, wine health, and sensory development.
- Manage small-lot fermentations (approximately three tons) and block-specific lots.
- Maintain accurate InnoVint records, lab results, inventory, and compliance documentation.

Vineyard Collaboration & Harvest
-Work in concert with the on-site Vineyard Manager and owner to refine vineyard practices and fruit quality.
-Evaluate vine health, crop levels, fruit development, and block-specific improvements.
-Monitor ripeness through field observations, chemistry, and tasting; recommend harvest timing in consultation with vineyard management and ownership.
-Coordinate picking schedules and fruit delivery; contribute to long-term vineyard planning.

Cellar Management & Operations
- Take primary hands-on responsibility for daily cellar operations, production execution, organization, and wine quality.
- Plan and execute cellar schedules, work priorities, barrel care, topping, racking, SO2 management, sanitation, and equipment upkeep.
- Recruit, direct, and mentor seasonal cellar staff and harvest interns as needed.
- Uphold safety, cleanliness, quality, and regulatory standards.
- Develop annual production budgets with estate management and contribute to vineyard budgets and capital planning.
- Proactively identify issues and solutions; plan for continuity during market travel and remain hands-on during harvest and critical production periods.

Sales, Business Development & Brand Ambassadorship
- Serve as a principal ambassador for Crown Point through extensive domestic market travel, a core requirement of this role.
- Support distributors and sales partners through account visits, work-withs, winemaker dinners, trade tastings, education, and promotional events.
- Build relationships with sommeliers, wine directors, retailers, collectors, and key trade partners.
- Support DTC hospitality, member events, and private tastings.
- Develop custom crush and estate grape sales partnerships.
- Collaborate on sales objectives, market opportunities, and measurable commercial results; report market feedback to estate management.

Qualifications
- At least six years of professional winemaking experience, including premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varieties.
- Demonstrated record of quality winemaking, stylistic consistency, and aging potential.
- Enology, Viticulture, or related degree preferred; equivalent experience considered.
- Strong fermentation science, wine chemistry, microbiology, barrel aging, blending, and sensory skills.
- Experience with small-lot (~3-ton) fermentations, independent cellar operations, and seasonal staff.
- Vineyard knowledge, harvest judgment, organization, and clear communication.
- Winery software proficiency; InnoVint preferred.
- Confidence presenting wines, developing trade relationships, and traveling extensively within the U.S.
- Ability to work extended harvest hours and perform hands-on cellar duties.

The Ideal Candidate
Technically confident yet collaborative, our ideal Winemaker sees this role as stewardship as much as innovation. They respect an engaged ownership structure, offer sound recommendations, execute agreed decisions, lead seasonal staff by example, and bring genuine energy to representing the estate commercially.

Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary: $125,000–$165,000 annually
- Performance-based incentives
- Health insurance and retirement benefits
- Paid vacation and holidays

To Apply
Submit a résumé and cover letter describing your Cabernet Sauvignon experience and interest in hands-on estate winemaking combined with extensive domestic sales and brand representation.

Crown Point Vineyards is an equal opportunity employer.