Job Description:

Reporting to the Executive Director of Winemaking, the position of Production Winemaker will be responsible for learning, developing, and managing all aspects of Still Winemaking and Traditional Method sparkling wine production while working closely with custom crush clients and Rack & Riddle’s internal production team. The Production Winemaker will be responsible for providing excellent customer service and coordination to existing and new clients of Rack & Riddle and will work closely with the Business Development team on client-related topics. As a member of a growing Winemaking team, the Production Winemaker is expected to participate in all wine operations, discussions, and tastings.
Position Purpose:

This position is integral to the success of our custom bottling and sparkling business operations. Communication between the Production Winemaker and every other department is crucial – as are the daily interactions with the many clients and their needs. Acting with direction from the Executive Director of Winemaking, and on their own initiative, the Production Winemaker will be responsible for processes within the Traditional Method Sparkling winemaking and Still wine bottling. The Production Winemaker is expected to be an active participant in the GMP and Food Safety programs and work with the team to continue to strengthen quality processes and protocols. The Production Winemaker will also work closely with the Cellar Master, Laboratory Manager and Bottling Manager to ensure protocols are followed and accurate data is collected and entered into our ERP system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•  Provide leadership, communication, and mentorship to team members as they learn new processes; cultivating a learning environment dedicated to the enhancement of all sparkling and still wines.
•  Become educated and participate in training, quality improvement, job execution, and continuous improvement.
•  Participate in oversight of regulatory compliance with other management of R&R.
•  Ensure the timely, organized analysis as specified in the SOPs for purposes of maintaining wine quality standard.
•  Work with the Executive Director of Winemaking to taste, formulate and blend wines for new and existing wine programs.
•  Organize tastings, dosage trials, and blend evaluations for custom crush clients and Rack & Riddle programs.
•  Actively participate in the overall activities of the winemaking team, identifying problem areas and taking corrective actions.
•  Work cooperatively with other R&R managers to identify winery-wide issues and recommend corrective actions.
•  Coordinate with the Laboratory Manager and Lab team to collect and audit bottling QC.
•  Learn about Traditional Method Sparkling Wine processes, programs, and winemaking procedures to amend and/or create SOP’s– while keeping a focus on safety and wine quality.

Harvest Duties:
o Integral member of the Winemaking planning and execution team.
o Actively participate with the Winemaking team in all aspects of harvest and related activities.
o Meet expectations concerning crushing of sparkling and still fruit; and execute work orders related to the processing and fermentation of juice.
o Working in cooperation with the Cellar Master – make sure handling of fruit and wines meet both R&R and client expectations.
o Actively involved with all harvest efforts of R&R, until the harvest ends.

Qualifications:
•  Completion of a degree or certificate program relating to enology, viticulture or related field.
•  Previous Winemaking experience required, experience in Traditional Method/Charmat Sparkling wine preferred.
•  5+ years of experience as a Winemaker
•  Possess a passion for wine, and desire to work in a motivated team environment.
•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
•  Must possess strong organizational skills as well as a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
•  Strong spreadsheet and word processing skills
•  Ability to work days and/or nights, and extended hours as needed dependent on production needs.
•  Ability to lift up to 55lbs, on occasion.

Rack & Riddle is an EOO and a drug free workplace.