Careers

Location:

Napa County,

Yountville, CA

Closing Date: 04/15/2025

Job Address:

2570 Napanook Rd,

Yountville, CA 94599
United States

WineTalent is working with Dominus Estate on a Viticulturist search
 
About the Company:  Dominus Estate is a luxury estate winery based in Yountville.  Dominus was founded by Christian Moueix to produce wine of unparalleled quality.  The company is committed to adaptive viticulture; embracing sustainability and dry farming techniques to produce balanced vines producing complex wines.
 
About the Position:  The Viticulturist is a key figure in ensuring the exceptional quality of the vineyard operations and, ultimately, the grapes produced for high-quality wine. Reporting directly to the Vineyard Director, this role demands a meticulous, hands-on approach to vineyard management, ensuring that all processes are executed at the highest level of precision and care. This individual will foster strong cross-functional relationships with the Vineyard Foreman, Assistant Vineyard Foreman, Mechanic, Lab Manager, and other key team members, while leading a dedicated team of vineyard monitors and interns. The role emphasizes quality control, innovation, sustainability, and safety to uphold the integrity of the vineyard.
 
Core Responsibilities:
Vineyard Operations and Quality Control: Maintain a daily presence in the vineyard to ensure operations meet the highest standards for grape production.
Collaborate closely with the Vineyard Foreman to clarify instructions, monitor execution, and verify that all tasks, from pruning to harvest, are performed with precision.
Conduct in-depth checks through counts and measurements (e.g., bud numbers, crop loads), providing detailed reports to the Vineyard Director and vineyard management team.
Continuously assess vineyard practices and propose new methods to improve vine health, fruit quality, and operational efficiency.
Lead training for vineyard workers on techniques that enhance grape quality, vine sustainability, and the importance of safety protocols in all vineyard tasks.
Vineyard Monitoring and Data Collection (“Eyes of the Vineyard”):
Oversee the comprehensive monitoring of vineyard conditions, acting as the principal resource for real-time insights into vine health, pest activity, and disease threats.
Implement advanced monitoring techniques to track vine nutrition, hydration, stress and disease levels, ensuring rapid identification and resolution of potential issues.
Develop and refine data collection protocols, integrating the latest technology (Sentinel, GPS) to create detailed disease and environmental stress maps.
Work with a team of vineyard employees to conduct regular scouting and ensure consistent, high-quality monitoring, analyzing results to optimize vineyard management strategies.
Sustainability and Innovation:
Drive sustainability initiatives that align with long-term vine health and production goals, including dry farming practices, and water conservation techniques.
Research and implement new technologies and AI applications to improve vineyard efficiency, grape quality, and environmental impact.
Champion innovative solutions for managing rising temperatures, reducing pesticide usage, and enhancing vineyard biodiversity.
Collaborate with the Vineyard Director to identify and test new equipment, ensuring all tools contribute to maintaining the high standards of grape quality and sustainability.
Team Leadership and Collaboration:
Foster a collaborative environment across teams, ensuring smooth coordination between the vineyard team, lab, and mechanical staff.
Lead the training and development of vineyard team captains, interns, and full-time vineyard monitors, providing mentorship and oversight to maintain operational excellence.
Work with the Assistant Vineyard Foreman to manage and optimize the performance of vineyard crews, ensuring a cohesive and motivated team.
Coordinate the daily activities of interns and vineyard monitoring staff, delegating tasks and ensuring accuracy and consistency in all vineyard data collection and reporting.
Safety and Compliance:
Ensure the implementation and enforcement of safety protocols across all vineyard operations, with a specific focus on pesticide application, equipment handling, and labor safety standards.
Maintain thorough records of pesticide applications, ensuring full compliance with local and federal regulations.
Conduct regular safety trainings for the vineyard team and lead by example in prioritizing a safe working environment for all staff.
Regularly audit vineyard operations to ensure they meet both quality and safety standards and address any discrepancies swiftly.
Research, Development, and Reporting:
Lead research projects aimed at improving disease control, vine health, and overall vineyard sustainability, using data-driven methods and innovative technologies.
Produce detailed reports on vineyard performance, highlighting areas of success and opportunities for improvement, and communicate findings to the Vineyard Director and key stakeholders.
Stay abreast of the latest industry trends, research, and best practices, applying new knowledge to continually improve the quality and sustainability of vineyard operations.
 
Qualifications and Profile:
Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture, Agriculture, Plant Science or related discipline.  
Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in vineyard management, with a strong emphasis on quality control, data-driven monitoring, and sustainability practices.
Technical Skills: Proficiency with vineyard technology such as Sentinel, GPS, and AI-driven tools for data collection and analysis. Knowledge of disease mapping and precision viticulture is essential.
Leadership: Proven experience in team management and collaboration across departments. Ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a team focused on achieving the highest standards of vineyard performance.
Innovation and Sustainability: Demonstrated experience in implementing cutting-edge viticultural practices to improve vine health, reduce environmental impact, and enhance fruit quality.
Attention to Detail: Strong organizational and reporting skills, with the ability to track and manage multiple projects and vineyard tasks simultaneously.
Safety-Conscious: In-depth understanding of vineyard safety regulations and best practices, particularly regarding pesticide use and labor safety.
Language: Fluency in English and Spanish required.
Desirable Attributes: Experience working in vineyards known for producing high-quality, premium wines.
A passion for sustainability and innovation in agriculture, with a forward-thinking mindset that aligns with the winery’s values.   
 
Compensation and Benefits:
This is a full-time, salaried position.
Salary range is $70,000 to $90,000, dependent on experience and may be subject to change to meet needs of the search.
Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical, dental, vision and life insurance.  Additional benefits include 401(K) with employer match, HSA, PTO, holiday pay, and discretionary bonus program.
 
About WineTalent: WineTalent is a wine industry focused recruitment company. We work closely with our clients and our job seekers to find the right fit of talents, experience and work environment. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.

Contact Us: Email is preferred.

Email:  amy@winetalent.net

Website:  https://winetalent.net/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/winetalent/

Location:

Benton County

Corvallis, OR

Closing Date: 04/01/2025

Job Address:

Oregon State University

2750 SW Campus Way
Corvallis, OR 97331
United States

Summary of Duties:

The Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University is seeking a combination position of an Instructor and an Educational Program Coordinator & Recruiter. The incumbent will hold two appointments, a 0.50 FTE, fixed term, 12-month Instructor position, with reappointment at the discretion of the Department Head, and a 0.50 FTE, ESOL/Educational Program Coordinator & Recruiter, a 12-month, professional faculty position, reflecting duties in both academic and administrative areas.

The Instructor position will provide instruction of both face-to-face and online courses in the Department of Horticulture’s Viticulture Program. This position will contribute to the development of new courses and revision of existing viticulture courses and enhance student recruitment to the discipline.

The incumbent should foster student critical thinking and advance student’s knowledge and skills in grape production (viticulture). This will be done by designing, maintaining, and carrying out educational program activities to ensure an intellectual foundation for students concerning the following aspects of viticulture: grapevine growth, physiology, vineyard production practices, and business operations management for vineyard operations. The courses serve students in multiple degree programs and provide enrichment experiences for both majors and non-majors.

The Educational Program Coordinator & Recruiter position will assist the Oregon Wine Research Institute and its respective departments (Horticulture and Food Science and Technology) to further develop the comprehensive Viticulture and Enology degree options. This may involve engagement with other departments and community college partners with viticulture and enology programs to establish a plan for flow-through degree options.

The position will also be responsible for coordinating internship opportunities and developing and executing a recruitment plan and activities to increase enrollment of undergraduate and graduate students in the program.

To see more details on the position and to apply, go to
https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/164237

Location:

Napa Valley, Oakville, CA

Closing Date: 03/15/2025

Job Address:

University of California, Davis

Summary of Duties:

As part of UC Davis’s commitment to hire leading research faculty with an outstanding commitment to teaching and service that meets the needs of our diverse state and student population, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California announces an Assistant Professor faculty position (9-month) in the Department of Viticulture and Enology. Applications are encouraged from candidates with a strong background in any current or emerging area that will fit within our department’s disciplinary focus in Applied Viticulture.

The appointee will be based at the Oakville Experimental Station in Napa Valley, a premier winegrowing region, and will establish a competitively funded research program in applied viticulture. The research will address critical challenges faced by the California winegrape industry, including water scarcity, labor shortages, wildfires, pests, diseases, and the impacts of climate change. The appointee’s work will focus on developing innovative and sustainable vineyard management practices that enhance resilience and productivity. Research areas may include mechanized and automated vineyard management, precision viticulture, strategies to improve soil and water conservation, and practices to mitigate pest and disease pressures. Additional focus could include improving grape and wine quality by exploring the factors influencing flavor, aroma, and texture, as well as evaluating grapevine varieties and clones for optimal performance under changing environmental conditions.

In addition to research, the appointee will develop a robust outreach program dedicated to advancing winegrape production by engaging industry stakeholders, including commodity groups, winegrape commissions, regional technical groups, the ag-technology sector, and commercial grape growers. The Oakville Station will serve as a potential hub for industry engagement, providing a venue for professionals to learn about the latest innovations and participate in demonstration projects. Other outreach efforts might include producing industry-relevant publications and electronic resources to broaden access to research insights. The appointee will be responsible for teaching at least one undergraduate course per year and will be expected to contribute to graduate-level education by teaching in courses aligned with their expertise and research interests. Additionally, the individual will contribute to departmental and university service as part of their overall responsibilities.

As one of the country’s leading research intensive (R1) institutions, UC Davis seeks candidates with exceptional potential for research, teaching, and inclusive excellence. It is expected that candidates will demonstrate an understanding of the barriers preventing full participation of members from historically underrepresented and marginalized student communities in higher education. Successful candidates will have an accomplished track record (calibrated to career stage) of teaching, research, and service activities, including a clearly articulated vision of how their work at UC Davis will contribute to the University’s mission of serving the needs of our diverse state and student population. An applicants’ track record of engagement and activity related to diversity, equal opportunity, and inclusion (calibrated to career stage), as well as their plans for future engagement, will be a significant part of the evaluation of the candidate’s qualifications for a faculty appointment.

Applicants should submit materials via the following website:
https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06900

Additional inquiries should be directed to Dr. Dario Cantu (dacantu@ucdavis.edu).

The position will remain open until filled but to ensure consideration, applications should be received by March 15, 2025.

Location:

Benton County, Prosser, WA
Chelan County, Wenatchee, WA

Closing Date: 9/17/2024

Job Address:

Washington State University

Summary of Duties:

This position will perform professional-level work in support of research, project management, and extension activities in tree crops and wine grapes associated with two federally-funded multi-institutional USDA-SCRI grant projects, including: “Pathogen Monitoring and Disease Management within a Vineyard FRAMEwork”, led by Dr. Michelle Moyer (WSU Prosser IAREC), and “Preparing U.S. Pome Fruit Production for Extreme Temperatures in a Changing Climate”, led by Dr. Lee Kalcsits (WSU Wenatchee TFREC). The incumbent will provide critical organizational support for the successful completion of these 4-year grants, in addition to assisting in applied research and extension projects associated with each grant. The incumbent will perform a wide range of duties including laboratory analyses to accomplish research goals; web site development and maintenance; budget administration and reporting; preparing graphics and reports; technical editing of journal manuscripts; managing procurement activities for research programs; assist with developing and implementing lab policies and procedures, and coordinating grant-related project meetings and extension workshops. The incumbent will work with other technical staff and scientists to achieve project goals.

For more information, including qualifications, pay, and application information, visit: https://wsu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WSU_Jobs/details/Project-Manager_R-12301

Location:

Lubbock County
Lubbock, TX
Closing Date: 9/30/2024

Job Address:

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Department: Horticultural Sciences

Job Description:

Extension Program Specialist I for the High Plains and West Texas grape growing regions (Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association Regions 1 & 4) will develop and implement Extension educational programming with a supporting applied research component designed to resolve problems of importance to wine grapes (viticulture). Over 64% of the total vineyard acreage within the state of Texas is located within the High Plains and West Texas growing regions. The economic and environmental sustainability of vineyards within the area depends on good networking and the establishment of common goals. Grapes continue to be an attractive alternative crop in this area.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise and effectively deliver educational programs such as workshops, field days, and county agent trainings
• Use traditional and innovative Extension outreach techniques to educate producers, agricultural consultants, and agri-industry personnel
• Provide support and training for Extension County Programs and County Agents in Extension Districts 1, 2 and 3 as well as other areas within the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association Regions 1 and 4
• Work to effectively coordinate and integrate programs relevant to subject matter expertise
• Work closely with Regional Program Leaders and other Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Research personnel at the Lubbock Center and in the departments of Horticultural Sciences, Soil and Crop Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology and Microbiology and Ag Economics to develop cross-disciplinary programs and address County Extension Agent needs
• Collaborate with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Research personnel at other AgriLife Centers and on campus on projects related to viticulture
• Secure funding from appropriate sources and publish relevant newsletters and other Extension outreach materials.
• Develop statewide collaborations with the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association, Viticulture & Enology Symposium, Spirited Learning and other viticulture groups
• Evaluate the impact of Extension programs (including an annual in-depth outcome report of a signature program).
• Attend and participate in activities for professional improvement and participate and present information at professional meetings
• Provide service to the Department of Horticultural Sciences, the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Lubbock and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• Provide expertise for disciplinary, multi-disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary programming and projects of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agency
• Other duties as required

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s (B.S. or B.A.) degree in a related agricultural field to horticulture (or other closely related fields including soil and crops, weed science, entomology, plant pathology, ag economics) and two (2) years of related experience
• Preferred Education and Experience:
• Master’s (M.S. or M.Ag) and two (2) years of related experience in horticulture
• Required knowledge, skills and abilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good computer skills
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others
• Ability to work well in a team setting

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

How to apply:

Applications will only be accepted online at: https://tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/AgriLife_Extension_External/job/Extension-Program-Specialist-I_R-076511

Address inquiries to Search Committee Chair: Patrick O’Brien, Ph.D. – Phone: (806) 723-8447 Email: patrick.obrien@ag.tamu.edu

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.

Location:

Knox County
Knoxville, TN

Closing Date: 9/12/2024

Job Address:

Dept of Plant Sciences, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Description:

The Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN is recruiting for a 75% research and 25% teaching faculty position in viticulture.

The successful applicant will:

• Establish a nationally-recognized research program in perennial fruit crop stress physiology that serves the needs of the grape and wine industry of Tennessee and the surrounding region
• Teach courses to meet departmental needs (i.e., introductory and advanced courses related to viticulture) and advise undergraduate students
• Actively participate in graduate student training and mentoring
• Provide leadership and scholarship in their research area
• Interact and work cooperatively with scientists at the University of Tennessee, other universities, government agencies, industry, and grower organizations (e.g., Tennessee Farm Winegrowers Alliance)
• Collaborate with viticulture and enology faculty and Extension specialists in the Departments of Food Science and Plant Science at the University of Tennessee
• Seek extramural funding to support research, teaching, and mentoring programs
• Publish in refereed journals, present research findings, and participate in relevant scientific societies
• Foster an inclusive environment and contribute to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Tennessee and within the Department

Potential research focus areas may include, but are not limited to: impact of viticultural practices on vine physiology and wine grape yield and quality attributes, environmental regulation of phenological development, interaction of grape genetics and environment, development of low-tech protected culture systems for grape production, plant growth regulation to lessen impact of abiotic stresses, development of approaches to precisely match site attributes and management to grape cultivar genetics, and optimization of vineyard management practices (e.g., pest management, canopy management, vineyard floor vegetation management, soil and nutrient management).

The primary teaching expectations are an introductory course on viticulture and enology (in collaboration with Food Science Department faculty) and an advanced undergraduate course in fruit crops and viticulture, and to mentor graduate students and advise undergraduate students in the Plant Sciences major who have a primary interest in viticulture.

To Apply:

Inquiries regarding the position should be directed by e-mail to the chair of the search committee: Dr. David Butler, dbutler@utk.edu. Apply at https://apply.interfolio.com/150130.