Cellar Hand

Pelee Island Winery & Vineyards Inc; Kingsville; On-site; CAD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Pelee Island Winery & Vineyards Inc. is seeking a hardworking, dependable Seasonal Cellar Hand to support our winemaking team during the harvest season.

This hands-on position involves receiving and processing grapes, fermentation support, wine transfers, barrel work, equipment operation, sanitation, and record-keeping. Strong work ethic and safety awareness are essential.

Qualifications

• Valid driver’s licence required.
• Experience in winery, cellar, or harvest is an asset.
• Enrollment in or completion of winemaking/viticulture program is an asset.
• Forklift certification is preferred.
• Ability to multitask and work independently or in a team.
• Strong communication, organizational, and record-keeping skills.
• Positive attitude and attention to detail.
• Willingness to work extended hours, weekends, and additional days during harvest.
• Commitment to safe work practices and PPE guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Prepare winery, cellar, equipment, and production areas for harvest.
• Receive, sort, crush, de-stem, and press grapes.
• Assist with processing fruit and monitoring juice and wine fermentations.
• Manage additions to juice and wine as directed by the Winemaker.
• Operate pumps, hoses, presses, de-stemmers, filters, and other equipment.
• Transfer, rack, inoculate, blend, and sample wine and juice.
• Perform punch-downs, pump-overs, and dig-outs during red-wine fermentation.
• Assist with filling, fermenting, racking, sampling, topping, and moving barrels.
• Clean and sanitize tanks, hoses, pumps, tools, equipment, floors, and work areas.
• Collect samples, monitor fermentations, and maintain production records.
• Follow SOPs, food-safety requirements, and quality standards.
• Work safely with PPE and report hazards or equipment concerns.
• Complete additional duties assigned by Winemaker or Manager.

Skills

Driver's license

Multitasking

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Record keeping

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Safety awareness

PPE compliance

Hours flexibility

Education

Winemaking / Viticulture program (asset)

Tools

Forklift certification

Tractor driving

Job description

Company: Pelee Island Winery & Vineyards Inc.
Location: Kingsville, Ontario
Employment Type: Full-Time, Seasonal Temporary
Starting Wage:$19.00 per hour
Reports To: Winemaker

Position Summary

Pelee Island Winery & Vineyards Inc. is seeking a hardworking, dependable, and detail-orientedSeasonal Cellar Hand to support our winemaking team during the harvest season.

This hands-on position is involved in several stages of wine production, including receiving and processing grapes, fermentation support, wine transfers, barrel work, equipment operation, sanitation, and record-keeping. The successful candidate will have a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and the ability to work safely and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Previous winery or harvest experience is an asset; however, candidates who are motivated and willing to learn are encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare the winery, cellar, equipment, and production areas for harvest.
• Receive, sort, crush, de-stem, and press grapes.
• Assist with processing fruit and monitoring juice and wine fermentations.
• Prepare and manage additions to juice and wine as directed by the Winemaker.
• Operate pumps, hoses, presses, de-stemmers, filters, and other winery equipment.
• Transfer, rack, inoculate, blend, and sample wine and juice.
• Perform punch-downs, pump-overs, and dig-outs during red-wine fermentation.
• Assist with filling, fermenting, racking, sampling, topping, and emptying barrels.
• Clean and sanitize tanks, hoses, pumps, tools, equipment, floors, and work areas.
• Collect samples, monitor fermentations, and maintain accurate production records.
• Follow standard operating procedures, food-safety requirements, and quality standards.
• Wear required personal protective equipment and follow all health and safety procedures.
• Immediately report hazards, unsafe conditions, incidents, or equipment concerns.
• Complete other duties assigned by the Winemaker or Manager.

Qualifications

• Valid driver’s licence is required.
• Previous winery, cellar, or harvest experience is an asset.
• Enrolment in or completion of a winemaking, viticulture, or related program is an asset.
• Tractor-driving experience is an asset.
• Forklift certification is preferred.
• Ability to multitask and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong communication, organizational, and record-keeping skills.
• Positive attitude and strong attention to detail.
• Willingness to work extended hours, weekends, and additional days during harvest.
• Commitment to following safe work practices and required PPE guidelines.

Physical and Working Conditions

This is a physically demanding position. Candidates must be able to:

• Regularly lift and move items weighing up to approximately 24 kilograms.
• Repeatedly lift boxes and equipment from floor to shelf level.
• Stand, walk, bend, climb, and perform repetitive physical tasks for extended periods.
• Safely climb ladders and work at varying heights where required.
• Work harvest shifts that may be approximately 10–12 hours.
• Work up to six or seven days per week during peak harvest periods.
• Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather and temperature conditions.
• Work in noisy production areas while wearing the required hearing protection.
• Work in confined spaces after receiving the required training and authorization.

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in wine production, learn from an experienced winemaking team, and contribute directly to the production of quality Ontario wines.

Pelee Island Winery & Vineyards Inc. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates participating in all stages of the selection process.