POSITION SUMMARY
Works directly with the V.P. Winemaker, Director of Winemaking and Assistant Winemakers in all efforts, conceptual and practical, to make wines that would be recognized as classic and reflect time and place. This role insists on quality in workmanship and in grapes and is responsible in planning, budgeting, coordinating and scheduling the activities of the Vineyard Team. The Vineyard Manager has a deep understanding of the principles of viticulture and a good understanding of winemaking.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESother exempt duties may be assigned:
Vineyard Operations
- Oversee vineyard activities, including pruning, canopy management, irrigation, fertilization, pest control, and harvest coordination.
- Authorize invoices other than those for vineyard equipment repairs and needs.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate departmental procedures.
- Works with V.P. Winemaker, Director of Winemaking, Assistant Winemaker / Agroecologist to review vineyard performance and wine quality to determine annual pruning strategies, or other vineyard practices that may affect yield and fruit quality.
- Promotes safety in the vineyard and trains employees for safety programs and all vineyard tasks, including pesticide and herbicide applications.
- Integrate agroecological principles into vineyard practices, including biodiversity enhancement, soil health, and ecosystem restoration
- Participates in safety and quality inspections and audits; serves as a member of the safety committee.
- Schedules and manages the necessary personnel for seasonal vineyard operations.
- Ensures timely planning, initiation, and completion of all viticulture practices.
- Works with the V.P. Winemaker, Director of Winemaking, and Assistant Winemaker / Agroecologist to develop the vineyard operations and capital budgets.
- Works with the V.P. Winemaker, Director of Winemaking, and Assistant Winemaker / Agroecologist to develop the annual, seasonal, weekly and daily farming plans.
- Establishes and maintains open, consistent and timely communication with the winemaking team, especially the Assistant Winemaker, during harvest.
- Assumes responsibility for the accurate and timely submission of employee work time records.
Quality Assurance
- Visits all Opus One vineyard blocks on a regular basis to observe pest pressure, vine condition, and the progress and quality of viticulture practices.
- Provides feedback to the V.P. Winemaker, Director of Winemaking, and Assistant Winemaker / Agroecologist on work and vine quality.
- Stay informed of the latest advancements in viticulture, agroecology, and regenerative farming techniques
- Evaluate and implement innovative practices and technologies that enhance vineyard quality and environmental resilience.
- Assists in harvest decisions.
- Manage and delegate responsibilities within the vineyard team in all day-to-day vineyard operations and ensure quality standards are met.
Planning
- Assists in the preparation of annual viticulture plans, grape inventory, annual vineyard operations and capital budgets.
Viticulture
- Monitor soil health, irrigation systems, and nutrient levels to optimize grape growth and organic farming
- Implement integrated pest management strategies to protect vines
- Ensure vineyard practices align with environmental regulations and agroecology farming practices
Supervision
- Meet with core teams daily and participate in the discussion regarding daily activities, projects, and needed support.
- Writes and delivers the team’s annual performance reviews and provides feedback on growth opportunities.
- Prepare annual viticultural plans, including preventative maintenance, with the V.P. Winemaker, Director of Winemaking, and Assistant Winemaker/ Agroecologist.
- Fosters a culture of continual improvement with a focus on our 2030 Vision Pillars: being A Great Place to Work, Globally Responsible, One of the Most Respected Wines in the World, Together We Go Further, and A Daring to Lead Culture.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Viticulture/Enology related fields or equivalent
- 5+ years of viticultural experience with 3+ years of supervisory experience, or equivalent.
- Must have a valid Pest Control Advisor’s License.
- Exposure to vineyard management.
- Fluent in Spanish
- Must be able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Clear communication skills and comfortable working with all levels of the organization, especially the Management and Executive Team.
- Work collaboratively across cross-functional departments/teams.
- Ability to lead teams in an effective and positive manner.
- Ability to work long hours and in various weather conditions.
- Demonstrated history of effective people management, both employees and Farm Labor Contractors (FLCs)
- Must have a valid California Driver’s License
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical ability to perform tasks that may require prolonged standing, sitting, lifting, and other activities necessary to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
We invite all interested candidates to apply, even if you are unsure about whether you meet all the listed qualifications. Opus One Winery is looking for motivated, passionate, curious individuals who believe in our Core Values and Mission.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Integrity & Trust - Personally models behaviors that underscore the importance of honesty, truth, respect, and fairness in interpersonal relations; creates a supportive work environment.
- Accountability and Personal Responsibility – Believes in own capabilities and assumes responsibilities to effect positive outcomes and success.
- Analytical/Critical Thinking - Applies logic to solve problems and get the job done; Ability to look outside the box and develop new strategies.
- Adapting to Change- Ability to adapt to changes while keeping focus on goals and apply knowledge to new circumstances; identify, anticipate, and manage adverse situations by gaining support and enthusiasm for change.
- Fostering Culture - Reflects the Opus One core values in daily interactions and in rewarding and recognizing employees.
- Leadership – A style that is hands-on, collaborative, self-aware, decisive and motivating; Gives team members confidence and freedom to complete tasks and responsibilities.
- Growth and Potential - Displays an on-going commitment to learning and self-improvement, with particular emphasis on areas of development.
- Priority Setting, Time Management- Spends time and prioritizes activities based on what’s most important, factoring in corporate, departmental, and individual objectives.
- Workplace Safety – Follows all company policies and procedures to provide a safe and healthy work environment at all times.
OUR DEDICATION TO YOU
- Competitive benefits package including 95% employer paid Medical, with 100% employer paid Dental/ Vision/ basic life coverage/ STD/ LTD for both employees and dependents
- 401(k) retirement plan with a 7% employer-only contribution, based on employee annual earnings
- Work life balance
- Wellness reimbursement
- Tuition reimbursement opportunities
- Up to 40 hours of volunteer time
- PTO; Holiday Pay
- A supportive and collaborative work environment
SAFETY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Accident prevention is of utmost importance in all phases of job responsibilities.
- Follow all company policies and procedures including job safety, safety rules and regulations.
- Assist management to provide safe and healthy working conditions at all times.
- Immediately report all unsafe conditions, work-related accidents, and illnesses to Safety Manager and your supervisor.
OUR COMMITMENTS
SUSTAINABILITY: Opus One Winery is committed to doing its part to ensure a sustainable future and improve the environmental well-being of our community. We will continue to ensure minimal impact by continually evaluating our environmental performance and working to improve our program whenever necessary with integrity and purity of focus.
COMPENSATION: Base Compensation Range: $97,000– $132,000 USD annually*
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Opus One Winery is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate and welcome diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
- The base compensation range is base salary only. In addition to base compensation, all roles are eligible for individual performance bonus and company bonus that range from role to role. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay. Individual compensation packages are based on factors unique to each candidate, such as skills, experience, qualifications, and tenure with Opus One.
We understand that benefits are also an important piece of your total compensation package. To learn more about our total compensation package, benefits and perks Opus One Winery has to offer, please visit our careers page.
