For many, a job in the cellar is the first hands-on step into the wine industry. It’s a physically demanding, skill-intensive role that requires long hours, hard work, and a deep respect for the winemaking process. But after a few harvests, a common question emerges: what’s next?
If you—or someone you know—feels like they've hit a ceiling in the cellar, you’re not alone. The good news? Cellar experience is one of the most powerful springboards to a wide range of wine industry careers. With the right direction and a little initiative, you can leverage your cellar chops into leadership roles across winemaking, vineyard management, operations, and beyond.
Why the Cellar Is a Smart Starting Point
Working in the cellar builds the technical foundation for many advanced roles. You’re not just moving hoses or cleaning tanks—you’re learning the chemistry, logistics, and timing that make great wine possible. It’s where intuition is developed and real-world production knowledge is forged.
Setting Yourself Up for Advancement:
- Master the basics: Hone your skills in handling grapes, tanks, barrels, and learn every part of the fermentation process.
- Understand the winemaking process: From crush to aging, develop a clear grasp of how wine is made—and how decisions impact the final product.
- Develop your technical know-how: Learn to operate equipment, analyze samples, and follow SOPs.
- Build relationships: Network with winemakers, lab teams, vineyard staff, and managers. Strong mentorship can open doors.
- Show initiative: Volunteer for tasks outside your standard duties, ask to shadow different departments, and communicate your interest in career growth.
Career Pathways Beyond the Cellar
1. Cellar Master / Assistant Winemaker
Salary Range: $55,000–$85,000
What They Do: Oversee daily cellar operations, manage sanitation protocols, and support the winemaker in executing the production plan. During harvest, they coordinate the team and logistics that keep everything flowing smoothly.
You’d thrive here if: You’re highly organized, can mentor others, and are ready to take ownership of systems and outcomes.
Next Steps:
- Sharpen your tasting and blending skills
- Learn the record-keeping and compliance tools used in production
- Ask to assist in staff training or equipment maintenance
2. Winemaker / Production Manager
Salary Range: $80,000–$135,000+
What They Do: Winemakers lead everything from fermentation choices to blending decisions and bottling timelines. Production managers may oversee broader operational strategy.
You’d thrive here if: You enjoy both the creative and technical aspects of winemaking and are comfortable leading a team.
Next Steps:
- Consider classes in enology or wine chemistry (UC Davis, WSET, etc.)
- Develop your palate by joining tasting groups or panels
- Take initiative on solving production challenges and proposing improvements
3. Vineyard Management
Salary Range: $65,000–$120,000
What They Do: Oversee grape growing from pruning to harvest, working closely with winemakers to meet quality goals.
You’d thrive here if: You love being outdoors and have a curiosity about how vineyard practices influence wine.
Next Steps:
- Volunteer during pre-harvest sampling or vineyard walkthroughs
- Learn the basics of pest/disease management and irrigation
- Explore coursework in viticulture or crop science
4. Quality Assurance / Lab Supervisor
Salary Range: $60,000–$90,000
What They Do: Monitor wine chemistry, sanitation standards, and microbial stability to ensure consistency and quality.
You’d thrive here if: You’re detail-oriented, process-driven, and enjoy working with numbers and data.
Next Steps:
- Shadow the lab team and learn standard protocols
- Gain experience with tools like pH meters, spectrometers, and titration kits
- Explore certifications in wine lab analysis or food safety
5. Operations or Facilities Manager
Salary Range: $70,000–$110,000
What They Do: Keep the winery running—managing everything from bottling logistics to tank maintenance and equipment upgrades.
You’d thrive here if: You like troubleshooting, scheduling, and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
Next Steps:
- Take on inventory or maintenance tracking responsibilities
- Learn the financial side of production (budgets, cost of goods)
- Get familiar with OSHA and workplace safety standards
6. Education & Consulting
Salary Range: $65,000–$100,000+ (varies widely)
What They Do: Teach others about winemaking, advise small wineries, or create content that shares industry knowledge.
You’d thrive here if: You’re passionate about mentorship and enjoy articulating the “why” behind the work.
Next Steps:
- Lead informal trainings or educational tastings
- Build your voice by writing or speaking at industry events
- Look into opportunities with local wine schools or certificate programs
If You Feel Stuck, You’re Not Alone
It’s easy to feel capped out after several harvests—but the skills you’ve built are valuable across the industry. The key is deciding what part of the wine world excites you most, and then proactively exploring ways to grow in that direction.
Whether it’s asking to shadow someone in a different department, taking a class, or speaking up about your goals, small steps can lead to big shifts.
Remember: A few years in the cellar doesn’t mean the end of your wine career—it’s just the beginning.
Want to explore new roles? Visit Wine Industry Careers to see open positions across winemaking, vineyard operations, marketing, logistics, and more.