Job Details

Job Title: Assistant Winemaker
Job Type: Full Time
Job Description: Roche Winery & Vineyards is a small, family owned winery established in 1987, producing 15,000 cases for our own brand and custom crushing 15,000 cases for other wineries. Roche Winery primarily produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, sold direct to consumer through our tasting room in downtown Sonoma as well as our tasting room at the winery location. In 2018 we completed construction of the new 30K case winery and tasting room on the west side of the town of Sonoma and have completed 7 harvests at the new facility with great success, but we look to build a great winemaking team for the future. Roche has a total of 45 acres of grapes planted, consisting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all other fruit is contract.

Assistant Winemaker will report to the Winemaker and will be performing all winery duties as directed and also help in all aspects of the operation as we are still a fairly small winery. There is cellar work, recordkeeping, labwork, shipping, inventory control, customer interaction at sales events, maintenance, cleaning, some light vineyard work. Forklift experience wanted but not necessary, as forklift driving will be required. At Roche we all pitch in to get done what needs to be done, as we are still a small winery.

Winemaker Michael Carr (BS Fermentation Science UCD 1990) has been working for the Roche family for 29 years, the last 22 years as Winemaker for Roche Winery, and over 37 years total in the wine business. I can teach an assistant a lot but I want someone who asks questions wanting to put in the work to learn more.

Applicant must be able to lift heavy loads and climb ladders.
Two years minimum experience is necessary with various cellar work.
Lab experience is good but cellar experience is key.
We use InnoVint, so experience with InnoVint is a leg up, but experience with any production software is also good.
Enology degree preferred, but college degree required.

Salary DOE, plus benefits including 50% of medical, and IRA contributions.

Looking to hire someone ASAP.

Email resume and cover letter to Winemaker Michael Carr: michaelcarr@rochewinery.com
References are also required.
Pay Scale: $55K - $75K salary DOE
Other: Plus benefits
Job Location: Sonoma, CA
Start Date: November 01, 2024
Company Name: Roche Winery
Company Description: Roche Winery is a small family-owned winery producing 30K cases of wine and has approx. 45 acres grapes. We produce Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and also crush other varietals for custom crush clients. The winery was established in 1988, but grew grapes prior to that time.
Contact Name: Michael Carr
Application Deadline: Application is open until filled