Description:
SUMMARY: Uses critical winemaking skills developed through advanced level of education and experience to lead technical and stylistic decisions regarding the production of Pinot noir and Sauvignon blanc wines across multiple growing regions and winery facilities. Collaborates with Winemaking and Vineyard team across areas of responsibility to maximize potential in estate and grower vineyards and resulting wines. Leads remote team members in producing wines of exceptional quality consistent with company’s mission and values.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Winemaking
- Maintains and builds upon history of excellence in Twomey winemaking and wine style
- Ensures safe work environments at all facilities, documents and reports all work-related injuries and illnesses to Safety Coordinator and supervisor immediately.
- Leads picking, fermentation, pressing, blending, fining, and finishing decisions for Twomey wines.
- Organizes or delegates organization of educational wine tastings for production, sales, and hospitality staff.
- Recommends new methods, equipment, and procedures to improve operating efficiencies and wine quality.
- Establishes business processes and systems that support a future course of growth and profit through sound business practices and wise investment of resources.
- Manages barrel programs for various wines, offers suggestions on profiles and selection.
- Creates or oversees creation of operational and capital budgets for cellars, labs, and bottling in concert with direct reports for facilities under their purview for Budget Committee review.
- Communicates actively and openly with Winemaking, Vineyard, and Production teams as well as consultants.
- Represents the Duncan family, Silver Oak, Twomey, OVID, Timeless, and Prince Hill at industry, trade, and consumer events as requested.
- Coordinates with Director of Vineyard Operations, Grape Supply Manager and Viticulturist to identify potential fruit sources and ensure supply needed to meet production and quality goals.
- Utilizing critical winemaking skills, monitors fermentations by taste and analysis and provides procedures and protocols for fermentation and aging profiles.
- Manages bottling processes with mobile bottling vendors and on-site bottling lines; ensures wine preparedness, and stability.
- Collaborates with peer Winemakers on quantifying, sourcing, & pricing packaging materials and ensuring quality and delivery consistent with production schedules
- Maintains responsibility for overall winemaking standards for multiple wines in multiple facilities.
- Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.
Leadership
- As a leader in the Production department, champions cultural values of mutual respect, cooperation, humility, approachability, and sustainability.
- Provides leadership, vision, and team-focused attitude to Twomey winemaking staff, both at home facility and remote locations.
- Develops subordinates, delegates responsibilities as needed, acts as a mentor and teacher to direct reports.
- Directly Manages the TW Cellar Master, TW Enologist, and TN Associate Winemaker.
- Builds a high performing team that is motivated, engaged, goal oriented, and provides exceptional service to internal and external customers.
- Defines clear expectations and levels of accountability for the team. Assigns responsibilities, empowers others, delegates, removes obstacles, allows for and contributes needed resources and monitors progress.
- Manages the team’s performance on an on-going basis, providing feedback and coaching in a timely manner. Provides opportunities for growth and development. Documents performance via company’s performance management program.
- Demonstrates leadership through sound business decisions, high ethical standards, accountability, values, and behavior. Builds trust within the Twomey Production team, the Winemaking and Vineyard teams at large, and the rest of the organization.
Requirements:
QUALIFYING SKILLS:
- Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Fermentation Science, Enology or Viticulture. Master’s degree desired.
- Minimum ten years of winery experience. Minimum of five years with direct responsibility managing a winery operation as a Winemaker or Associate Winemaker.
- Strong viticulture training required.
- Thorough understanding of vineyard management practices and their effect on wine.
- Proficient on Word, Excel, AgCode, Winemaker Database or equivalent
- Valid CA Driver’s License and Clean DMV record.
- Spanish language skills highly desired.
- Working knowledge of data collection, data analysis, evaluation, and scientific method.
- Experience with laboratory environment, equipment, and safety procedures.
- Experience in research and development, including understanding of statistical analysis.
- Ability and willingness to represent winery in the professional community.
- Commitment to excellence and high standards and the ability to instill those standards and values in those they lead.
- Excellent written, oral, and presentation communication skills
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills; able to manage priorities and workflow
- Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm
- Acute attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of various teams and committees.
- Proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals at all organizational levels.
- Good judgment with the ability to make timely and sound decisions
- Creative, flexible, and innovative team player
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to do the following:
- Walk, kneel, bend, and stand
- Taste and smell
- Lift up to 35-50 pounds
- Reliably detect wine aroma and taste characteristics and defects
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- A percentage of work time may be spent in a wine warehouse or cellar where temperatures are cool and noise level is usually moderate.
- Frequent exposure to dust, pollen and heat in vineyard
- Occasional exposure to caustic or hazardous substances, such as sulfur dioxide or ozone.
