Job Details
Job Title: Harvest Winemaking Internship
Job Type: Internship
Job Description: Napa Winemaking Internship
Title: Harvest Cellar Intern
Employer: Blackbird Vineyards
Employment Location: Napa, CA
Company Description: Premium Napa Valley winery crafting exceptional wines focused on Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Type: Seasonal F/T
Pay Scale: DOE
Employment Start Date: August 2024
Employment End Date: November or December, pending harvest
Job Description:
Blackbird Vineyards is seeking enthusiastic and hardworking interns to join our 2024 harvest team. If you are passionate about wine, not afraid to get dirty, and willing to work long hours, we’re excited to show you how to craft amazing wines. This is a unique opportunity for individuals with backgrounds in restaurants, food service, baking, or STEM to transition their skills to the world of winemaking but everyone is encouraged to apply. This is a basic cellar introduction with some lab work available to those interested.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Fruit processing
Punchdowns
Pumpovers
Additions
Pressing
Fermentation monitoring
Lab analysis (no science background necessary, we will train if needed)
Routine cleaning and sanitation of equipment and work areas
Maintaining accurate records and reports
Participating in sensory evaluations and quality control tasks
Qualifications:
Experience in restaurants, food service, baking, or a scientific field preferred
Passion for winemaking and a strong desire to learn
Ability to work long hours, including weekends and holidays, during peak harvest times
Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions
Physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform tasks that require standing, bending, and lifting
Reliable transportation to and from the winery
Must be at least 21 years old
US citizen with a valid US driver’s license and access to reliable transportation or approved VISA status and transport
High School or equivalent education
Previous harvest/winery experience is preferred but not required
Accuracy with numbers and strong recordkeeping skills
Basic computer proficiency
Work Environment:
Exposure to loud noises, wet surfaces, varying temperatures, dust, fumes, toxic chemicals, and operating mechanical equipment
Must be able to climb stairs, stoop, bend, and lift
Must be able to stand or sit for extended periods of time
Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with valid disabilities to perform the necessary job functions
Benefits:
Hands-on experience in a prestigious winery known for quality and innovation
Mentorship from experienced winemaking professionals
Competitive hourly wage and possible overtime
Opportunity to network with industry professionals
Potential for future employment opportunities
How to Apply:
Please send your resume and a brief cover letter explaining your interest in the position and any relevant experience with the subject line "Harvest Intern Application - [Your Name]".
Contact Info:
Contact Address: 831 Latour Court, Suite C, Napa, CA 94558
Contact Website: http://www.blackbirdvineyards.com
Join us at Blackbird Vineyards for an unforgettable harvest experience and take the first step towards a rewarding career in winemaking!
Title: Harvest Cellar Intern
Employer: Blackbird Vineyards
Employment Location: Napa, CA
Company Description: Premium Napa Valley winery crafting exceptional wines focused on Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Type: Seasonal F/T
Pay Scale: DOE
Employment Start Date: August 2024
Employment End Date: November or December, pending harvest
Job Description:
Blackbird Vineyards is seeking enthusiastic and hardworking interns to join our 2024 harvest team. If you are passionate about wine, not afraid to get dirty, and willing to work long hours, we’re excited to show you how to craft amazing wines. This is a unique opportunity for individuals with backgrounds in restaurants, food service, baking, or STEM to transition their skills to the world of winemaking but everyone is encouraged to apply. This is a basic cellar introduction with some lab work available to those interested.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Fruit processing
Punchdowns
Pumpovers
Additions
Pressing
Fermentation monitoring
Lab analysis (no science background necessary, we will train if needed)
Routine cleaning and sanitation of equipment and work areas
Maintaining accurate records and reports
Participating in sensory evaluations and quality control tasks
Qualifications:
Experience in restaurants, food service, baking, or a scientific field preferred
Passion for winemaking and a strong desire to learn
Ability to work long hours, including weekends and holidays, during peak harvest times
Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions
Physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform tasks that require standing, bending, and lifting
Reliable transportation to and from the winery
Must be at least 21 years old
US citizen with a valid US driver’s license and access to reliable transportation or approved VISA status and transport
High School or equivalent education
Previous harvest/winery experience is preferred but not required
Accuracy with numbers and strong recordkeeping skills
Basic computer proficiency
Work Environment:
Exposure to loud noises, wet surfaces, varying temperatures, dust, fumes, toxic chemicals, and operating mechanical equipment
Must be able to climb stairs, stoop, bend, and lift
Must be able to stand or sit for extended periods of time
Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with valid disabilities to perform the necessary job functions
Benefits:
Hands-on experience in a prestigious winery known for quality and innovation
Mentorship from experienced winemaking professionals
Competitive hourly wage and possible overtime
Opportunity to network with industry professionals
Potential for future employment opportunities
How to Apply:
Please send your resume and a brief cover letter explaining your interest in the position and any relevant experience with the subject line "Harvest Intern Application - [Your Name]".
Contact Info:
Contact Address: 831 Latour Court, Suite C, Napa, CA 94558
Contact Website: http://www.blackbirdvineyards.com
Join us at Blackbird Vineyards for an unforgettable harvest experience and take the first step towards a rewarding career in winemaking!
Pay Scale: $20-$24/hr
Job Location: South Napa
Start Date: August 15, 2024
End Date: December 01, 2024
Company Name: Blackbird Vineyards
Company Description: Blackbird Vineyards is a Napa Valley based winery. It is part of the Bespoke Collection. Founder Michael Polenske wanted to create a winery that focused on producing wines from Merlot grapes, which fits with the name "Blackbird", as merlot means "young blackbird", in French patois. Blackbird Vineyards creates wines inspired by the Pomerol area of France. The winery calls their wines "California Bordeaux". Blackbird Vineyards was founded by Michael Polenske who purchased the estate vineyard in 2003. It was previously owned by Trefethen Vineyards. He left his career in finance and focused on creating a wine label and a lifestyle brand that would become the Bespoke Collection; Blackbird is part of that collection. In 2006, Paul Leary became president Blackbird Vineyards. Blackbird Vineyards partnered with country singer Martina McBride to release a wine in 2009.
The company opened a winery in Napa in 2018 to serve its own production facility and a custom crush. In 2019, John and Julia Hinshaw, investors in Blackbird, purchased a controlling stake of the business and buying out Polenske.The wine labels have flocks of blackbirds on them in different positions and layouts. The label was designed by California designer David Hughes and Michael Polenske. Hughes had designed logos for other companies such as French Laundry and the Sundance Film Festival. Blackbird's proprietary red wine blend, Arise, features blackbirds sitting on a telephone wire in the same layout as the starting notes in the Beatles' song "Blackbird".
Blackbird Vineyards has a ten-acre estate vineyard in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA and a small secret five-acre vineyard named "The Nest" where the current owners reside part of the year. The Oak Knoll vineyard was originally a walnut orchard until it was planted with 5,717 Merlot vines in 1997. Mia Klein used Blackbird Vineyard to create her 1999 Selene Merlot. The first bottling under the Blackbird Vineyard label was a 2003 Merlot, made by Sarah Gott. They produced 90 cases that vintage and it was only sold to private buyers. While the estate vineyard produces only Merlot, Blackbird Vineyards also sources Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon for blending. They also make a Rosé and four proprietary red wines from those varietals. Five different wines make up the collection. Materials discarded from harvesting and winemaking, such as stems and vegetation, are made into compost and used in the vineyards. The vineyard is designated Fish Friendly Farming land. Grapes are often sorted two or three times to select the best fruit. The winery uses native yeast during the fermentation process. They use 100-percent French oak barrels in the winemaking and aging processes. Aaron Pott continues as Winemaker and Daniel Dycus serves as Director of Winemaking.
The company opened a winery in Napa in 2018 to serve its own production facility and a custom crush. In 2019, John and Julia Hinshaw, investors in Blackbird, purchased a controlling stake of the business and buying out Polenske.The wine labels have flocks of blackbirds on them in different positions and layouts. The label was designed by California designer David Hughes and Michael Polenske. Hughes had designed logos for other companies such as French Laundry and the Sundance Film Festival. Blackbird's proprietary red wine blend, Arise, features blackbirds sitting on a telephone wire in the same layout as the starting notes in the Beatles' song "Blackbird".
Blackbird Vineyards has a ten-acre estate vineyard in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA and a small secret five-acre vineyard named "The Nest" where the current owners reside part of the year. The Oak Knoll vineyard was originally a walnut orchard until it was planted with 5,717 Merlot vines in 1997. Mia Klein used Blackbird Vineyard to create her 1999 Selene Merlot. The first bottling under the Blackbird Vineyard label was a 2003 Merlot, made by Sarah Gott. They produced 90 cases that vintage and it was only sold to private buyers. While the estate vineyard produces only Merlot, Blackbird Vineyards also sources Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon for blending. They also make a Rosé and four proprietary red wines from those varietals. Five different wines make up the collection. Materials discarded from harvesting and winemaking, such as stems and vegetation, are made into compost and used in the vineyards. The vineyard is designated Fish Friendly Farming land. Grapes are often sorted two or three times to select the best fruit. The winery uses native yeast during the fermentation process. They use 100-percent French oak barrels in the winemaking and aging processes. Aaron Pott continues as Winemaker and Daniel Dycus serves as Director of Winemaking.
Contact Name: Daniel Dycus
Contact E-mail: daniel@blackbirdvineyards.com
Phone: 707-400-3919
Website: http://blackbirdvineyards.com
Application Deadline: September 09, 2024