Job Description: Who we are:
Founded in 2022, Common Wealth Crush Co. is the first winemaking operation of its kind in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Located in Waynesboro VA, and built with small producers in mind, we are a multi producer facility meets brand incubator meets thinktank cooperative.
CWC was founded to help grow the next generation of Virginia winemakers, bringing these minds together under one roof where collaboration and creativity can flow. Leveraging strength in numbers and community, we strive to generate "common wealth" for all the makers in our ecosystem.
We are passionate about the winegrowing potential of our region, and believe sustained momentum requires a thoughtful and honest approach to winemaking. We aim to use each vintage to convey the time and place our grapes are grown, while seeking out fellow makers who share this philosophy.
Overview:
We are seeking a skilled and experienced person to join the team to oversee cellar operations at Common Wealth Crush. The Assistant Winemaker will play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and consistency of the wines produced at our facility through meticulous attention to detail and adherence to best practices. This position requires strong leadership abilities, technical expertise, and a passion for producing exceptional wines.
Responsibilities:
1. Cellar Operations Management:
- Supervise and coordinate all activities in the cellar, including grape receiving, crushing, pressing, fermentation, blending, aging, and bottling.
- Develop and implement standard operating procedures to optimize efficiency and maintain quality throughout the winemaking process.
- Ensure compliance with all safety, sanitation, and environmental regulations.
2. Barrel Management:
- Oversee the care and maintenance of barrels, including inspection, cleaning, filling, topping, and racking.
- Monitor barrel aging processes and ensure proper storage conditions are maintained.
- Help manage barrel inventory and help coordinate the procurement and replacement of barrels as needed.
3. Quality Control:
- Conduct regular sensory evaluations of wines at various stages of production to assess quality and consistency.
- Monitor fermentation progress and conduct routine chemical analysis of wine samples.
- Identify and address any issues or deviations from quality standards in collaboration with the winemaking team.
4. Equipment Maintenance:
- Maintain and repair cellar equipment, including crushers, presses, pumps, filters, and bottling lines.
- Help develop preventative maintenance schedules and ensure all equipment is properly serviced and calibrated.
5. Staff Training and Development:
- Train cellar staff on proper winemaking techniques, safety procedures, and equipment operation.
- Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to cellar team members, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
6. Record Keeping and Documentation:
- Maintain accurate records of cellar activities, including production yields, cellar inventories, barrel aging logs, and wine analysis results.
- Ensure all required documentation is complete and up-to-date for regulatory compliance and quality assurance purposes.
Requirements:
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in cellar operations at a winery, with a proven track record of producing high-quality wines.
- Strong technical knowledge of winemaking principles, fermentation science, and cellar management practices.
- Excellent sensory evaluation skills and ability to identify and evaluate wine quality.
- Leadership abilities with experience supervising and mentoring cellar staff.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
- Ability to safely and efficiently operate a forklift
- Proficiency in using winery management software and Google Drive applications.
- Ability to lift, and carry up to 50 pounds.
- This position is M-F but requires the ability to work weekends and long hours during the harvest season.
- Ability to work/stand/walk on concrete floors for long shifts.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Degree or certificate in Enology, Viticulture, Food Science, or related field.
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