Union Wine Company is looking for two harvest lab staff!

Situated between Portland and the Willamette Valley wine country is a warehouse-winery affectionately known as the Industrial Chateau. This coming vintage, we will process just over 4,000 tons of fruit including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Muscat, sourced from all across Oregon. While the majority of production is for the brand Underwood, our other brands continue to remain in focus. These include Kings Ridge, Christopher Michael, Alchemist and Amity Vineyards.

This is a unique opportunity to participate in the process of large-scale wine production as well as support the making of small quantities of high end wine in one internship! Our winemaking varies, from production of Bubbles and Sparkling base wines and Rose, to varietally labeled wines including Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, and Riesling, not to mention a multitude of representations of Pinot noir including whole cluster, single vineyard, and even a White Pinot noir.

Responsibilities will include:
•  Daily brix/temp
•  Process and analysis of vineyard samples
•  Sample collection and preparation from fermentation vessels including tanks and barrels
•  Operation of our Admeo Y-15 autoanalyzer
•  Set-up of various bench-top trials including fining, additions, and blending
•  Perform calibrations of all laboratory equipment
•  Sanitation of laboratory equipment
•  Data entry into winemaking database (VinTrace) and Excel
•  Some cellar work, predominantly involving inoculations and nutrient additions
•  Maintain a clean and organized work environment
•  Participate in tastings led by Winemakers and Enologist
•  Other duties as assigned

Due to the important and illustrious nature of this position, the following are required:
•  Laboratory experience (academic or applied)
•  Obsession with accuracy when collecting, recording and reporting data
•  Reporting data in a timely matter
•  Familiarity with winemaking process is preferred but not required
•  Ability to multitask while maintaining lab standards
•  Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work and learn within frequently shifting priorities
•  Ability to work overtime and weekends as needed during peak harvest
•  Ability to stand or sit for long periods of the day, as well as walk far and often
•  Able to lift and carry 50lbs
•  Able to work in varying temperatures and weather
•  Verbal and written fluency in English
•  Ability to locate secure housing

This position will begin around the first of September and ends in Mid-November. Start date flexibility is a must. End date is also flexible depending on the workload.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to changes in temperature, indoor and outdoor weather conditions, fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items over 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Good Stuff:
•  Competitive hourly wage with overtime: DOE
•  One scheduled day off per week
•  Daily catered lunch during the peak of harvest, with plenty of coffee, tea and snacks
•  Participate in tastings led by Winemakers and Enologist
•  Post-shift beverages
•  Fashionable high-vis vests
•  Swag
•  Friends for life


Does this sound good to you? Join us!