Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Harvest Cellar Hand

🎯 Role Definition

Are you ready to dive into the heart of winemaking? This role requires a motivated, energetic, and detail-oriented Harvest Cellar Hand to join a dynamic winery team for the upcoming harvest season. This is a critical, hands-on role where you will be directly involved in the transformation of grapes into wine. You are the engine of the cellar during its most exciting time, responsible for processing incoming fruit, managing fermentations, and maintaining a pristine production environment. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, physically demanding setting, possesses a strong work ethic, and has a genuine passion for creating world-class wine. This position offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain invaluable experience in cellar operations from the ground up.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Labor or Manufacturing Roles
Agriculture, Farming, or Orchard Work
Hospitality, Brewery, or Restaurant Industry
Recent Enology or Viticulture Graduates

Advancement To:

Full-Time Cellar Hand / Cellar Worker
Cellar Lead or Cellar Master
Assistant Winemaker
Lab Technician

Lateral Moves:

Vineyard Technician / Vineyard Worker
Tasting Room & Hospitality Associate
Wine Sales Representative

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Execute all grape receiving and processing activities on the crush pad, including sorting, destemming, and crushing.
Operate and meticulously maintain crush pad equipment such as presses (bladder and basket), destemmers, sorting tables, and must pumps.
Perform timely and accurate punch-downs, pump-overs, and other cap management techniques for red wine fermentations according to winemaker protocols.
Conduct wine and juice movements by operating pumps and hoses to transfer product between tanks, barrels, and other vessels.
Make additions to juice and wine, including yeast, nutrients, and fining agents, with precision and careful documentation.
Monitor and record fermentation data, including temperature, Brix (sugar levels), and sensory analysis, reporting any deviations to the winemaking team.
Perform thorough cleaning and sanitation of all cellar equipment, including tanks, presses, hoses, and general work areas, following strict protocols (CIP/SIP).
Assist with barrel-down processes, which involve filling, stacking, and organizing barrels for aging.
Prepare and manage yeast and malolactic bacteria cultures for inoculation into juice and wine.
Operate a forklift for moving bins of grapes, barrels, and other heavy equipment safely and efficiently.
Collect representative juice and wine samples from tanks and barrels for laboratory analysis and winemaker tasting.
Participate in draining and pressing of fermented red wines, ensuring maximum quality and yield.
Accurately complete cellar work orders and maintain detailed records for all cellar operations, ensuring traceability.
Assist in the preparation and execution of barrel work, including racking, topping, and stirring (bâtonnage).
Adhere strictly to all winery safety procedures and protocols, including confined space entry and chemical handling.
Perform routine equipment maintenance and troubleshooting to minimize downtime during critical harvest periods.
Manage the winery's pomace (pressed grape skins and seeds) and wastewater disposal in an environmentally responsible manner.
Assist in maintaining the general organization and cleanliness of the cellar, barrel halls, and crush pad areas.
Communicate effectively with winemakers and fellow cellar staff to ensure smooth workflow and execution of daily tasks.
Work flexible, long hours, including early mornings, late nights, and weekends, as dictated by the pace of harvest.
Prepare various fermentation vessels for filling, including stainless steel tanks, concrete eggs, and oak puncheons.

Secondary Functions

Assist with pre-harvest and post-harvest winery setup and breakdown, ensuring all equipment is ready for use or storage.
Participate in bottling and labeling line operations when cellar demands are lower.
Support the lab team with basic analysis, such as running pH and TA measurements, when required.
Contribute to the ongoing improvement of cellar processes and safety standards by providing constructive feedback.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Forklift Operation: Certified or have significant experience operating a forklift in a production environment.
Pump & Hose Management: Proficiency in operating various types of pumps (centrifugal, diaphragm, peristaltic) for liquid transfer.
Cellar Sanitation (CIP/SIP): Deep understanding of cleaning-in-place and sanitizing-in-place procedures for tanks and equipment.
Basic Mechanical Aptitude: Ability to perform minor equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and setup.
Fermentation Monitoring: Skill in using tools like a hydrometer and thermometer to track fermentation progress.
Winery Equipment Operation: Experience with presses, destemmers, sorting tables, and other crush pad machinery.
Record Keeping: Ability to meticulously fill out work orders and maintain accurate cellar logs.

Soft Skills

Strong Work Ethic: Self-motivated with the ability to work long, physically demanding hours with a positive attitude.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in all tasks, from sanitation to chemical additions.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to work effectively and communicate clearly within a diverse team under high-pressure situations.
Resilience & Adaptability: Capable of handling a physically strenuous and fast-paced environment with a flexible schedule.
Problem-Solving: Proactive in identifying issues and finding practical solutions to keep operations moving.
Safety Consciousness: A strong commitment to maintaining a safe working environment for oneself and others.
Time Management: Ability to prioritize tasks effectively during a busy and dynamic harvest schedule.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).

Preferred Education:

Certificate, Associate's, or Bachelor's Degree in a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Enology
Viticulture
Fermentation Science
Food Science
Agriculture

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-2 years of relevant work experience. While prior harvest experience is a major plus, we are open to training motivated candidates with a background in physically demanding jobs like brewing, manufacturing, or farming.

Preferred:

At least one full harvest season of experience in a commercial winery setting is highly preferred.
Forklift certification is highly desirable.