Associate Winemaker

O'Rourke's Peak Cellars; Lake Country; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

O'Rourke Family Vineyards, a leading vineyard in Lake Country, is seeking a passionate Associate Winemaker to join their award-winning team. This full-time role involves overseeing winemaking processes, collaborating with the Head Winemaker, and ensuring the production of high-quality wines. Ideal candidates will have significant experience and a relevant degree, eager to contribute to the development of a thriving wine region.

Benefits

Extended Health & Dental benefits

Employee discounts on food, wine, merchandise

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years winemaking experience with premium processes.
• Hands-on cellar and lab experience for at least 3 years.
• Experience in people leadership for a minimum of 2 years.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily winemaking functions including grape processing and fermentation.
• Conduct lab analysis on grapes, juice, and wine.
• Participate in harvest activities and maintain equipment.

Skills

Attention to detail

Safety operations

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Oenology & Viticulture

Tools

Forklift operation

Wine monitoring software (Vinsight, Excel)

Job description

Overview

O’Rourke Family Vineyards is one of the newest vineyard and winery developments in the Okanagan Valley, including over 100 acres of vineyard in Lake Country, as well as two wineries – O’Rourke Family Estate and Peak Cellars. We are known for our hand-crafted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling, as well as Grüner Veltliner, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Rosé. We are also currently developing newly acquired land under the Skaha Bluffs that we will plant in 2026 to primarily bigger red varieties. Alongside our award-winning wines, we produce fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables from our organic garden for use in our Garden Bistro @ Peak Cellars. We are seeking a passionate and energetic Associate Winemaker to join our team. This is a unique opportunity to join these internationally award-winning wineries and contribute to the development of Lake Country as a wine region.

Role Type:Full-timeLocation:Lake Country, BCReports To:Head WinemakerDirect Reports:None

OVERVIEW

• Together with Head Winemaker, direct, oversee and participate in the daily winemaking functions, from grape processing, fermentation management, lab analysis, barrel program management, final blending and bottling, alongside the Cellar Master and cellarhands
• Assist with establishing fermentation & winemaking techniques in order for each wine and tier to possess a unique style and differentiated character profiles
• Represent the winery and the company at promotional activities and in-market
• Effectively collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders in Viticulture, Marketing & Operations

Daily responsibilities & expectations

• Harvest activities including picking decisions, receiving, weighing and processing grapes
• Lab analysis of grapes, juice and wine
• Cleaning and sanitation of all winery equipment
• Fermentation monitoring
• Must, juice and wine additions
• Cap management
• Barrel maintenance: filling, topping, stirring, emptying, cleaning, steaming, ozoning
• Cellar organization
• Traditional method sparkling wine production
• Maintain digital wine records (Vinsight, Excel) and issuing job notes
• Ready wines for bottling, potentially including procurement of components
• Continued excellence and quality assurance
• Other tasks within the cellar or on the property under the direction of the Head Winemaker
• During slower periods in the cellar, expect to participate in vineyard duties throughout the year (i.e. pruning, bunch counts and crop estimation, other monitoring, etc.)
• Participate in industry events, seminars and webinars put on by BCWGC, BCGA, BCWA, suppliers, etc.
• Flexible scheduling; certain times of the year require more hours and our team needs to be flexible and available to work longer hours, various shifts and weekends during the harvest season

Education and Experience required:

• Bachelor’s Degree (BSc) in Oenology & Viticulture or related degree (Food Science)
• Minimum 5 years winemaking experience and understanding of premium winemaking processes
• Minimum 3 years hands-on year-round cellar and lab experience
• Minimum 2 years people leadership experience

Skills:

• Able to work safely in busy production environment around equipment
• Maintains a clean and organized work environment
• Safe operation of a forklift
• Excellent attention to detail and quality
• Ability to lift 25 kg and be able to be on feet for long periods of time
• Valid driver’s license and personal reliable transportation

Bonus assets:

• • Bottling line operation
  • Operation of sparkling line disgorging equipment
  • Mechanical skills in relation to winery equipment and maintenance

Safety:

• • Maintain a safe and clean work environment, following all workplace safety procedures and protocols.

Ensure the safety and well-being of guests by following responsible alcohol service guidelines.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• Salary range will be determined by experience and education
• Extended Health & Dental benefits
• Employee Perks & Benefits program (discounts on food, wine, merchandise)

HOW TO APPLYPlease email your resume and cover letter to the Winemaker at [e-mail].

Visa Requirements:To be eligible for employment with O’Rourke Family Vineyards, you must hold or be willing to obtain a valid working visa for Canada. We do not provide offer letters to applicants seeking a work visa. Applicants must have their work visa in place before applying.

O'Rourke Family Vineyards is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified individuals to apply. We appreciate all applications, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.