Winemaker, Assistant

Arterra Wines Canada; Niagara Falls; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading wine company in Niagara Falls is seeking an Assistant Winemaker to support the production of high-quality wines. This full-time, 1-year contract role involves ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, optimizing production processes, and collaborating with various teams. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Food Sciences or a related field and experience in a winery cellar. Offering a salary range of $60,000 to $78,000 annually along with benefits and training opportunities.

Benefits

Employee wine discounts

Training and growth opportunities

Seasonal incentives

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience working in a winery cellar required.
• Hands-on and technical understanding of the winemaking process.
• Strong work ethic and willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Support the Winemaker in overseeing wine production.
• Maintain accurate tank records and update winemaking data.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet bottling schedules.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Food Sciences, Oenology, or Viticulture

Tools

MS Office

Job description

At Arterra Wines Canada, we love inspiring the big and small moments that happen when our products are shared and enjoyed. For us it’s not just about what’s in and on the bottle, it’s what happens in people’s lives when we’re a part of them that keeps us thirsting for more and not resting on our laurels as Canada’s largest and most enjoyed wine company. We put the consumer at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for people who do the same.

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Assistant Winemaker to support our winemaking team in producing high-quality commercial-scale wines. This role is critical in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards (including VQA), optimizing production processes, and contributing to the success of our wine portfolio. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation in winemaking, excellent organizational skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

This is a full-time 1-year contract role.

Key Responsibilities:

Support the Winemaker in overseeing wine production to meet quality standards and ensure all wines pass VQA certification.

Support regulatory compliance for wine production and packaging, minimizing risks related to fermentation and finished goods.

Maintain accurate tank records and update winemaking data in the wine management system.

Prepare trial blends, samples, and support the VQA submission process.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams (production, bottling, marketing) to meet bottling schedules and product demands.

Contribute to cost-saving initiatives (COGS) while maintaining or improving product quality.

Assist in New Product Development (NPD) and ensure successful product launches.

Participate in supply/demand forecasting (S&OP), ensuring accurate blend codes and production planning.

Represent the winemaking team in Town Hall meetings and support sales/marketing initiatives as needed.

Adhere to all OH&S, GMP, HACCP and ISO initiatives.

Uphold all safety and quality requirements and standards.

Qualifications:

Degree in Food Sciences, Oenology, or Viticulture, or an equivalent required.

1-2 Years of experience working in a winery cellar required.

Hands on and technical understanding of the winemaking process.

Strong work ethic, reliability, and willingness to learn.

Team player with a positive attitude and strong communication skills.

Strong organization and prioritization skills.

Strong analysis and synthesis of data.

Excellent computer literacy with functional knowledge of MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook)/

Must be legally eligible to work in Canada

What We Offer:

$60,000 to $78,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Training and growth opportunities within a leading wine organization.

Employee wine discounts and seasonal incentives.

Supportive, fast-paced work environment with a focus on safety and quality.

We are committed to establishing a qualified workforce that reflects the diverse population it serves and we encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We are also committed to preventing and removing barriers to employment for people with disabilities, and we invite you to inform us should you have any accessibility or accommodation needs.

We are committed to establishing a qualified workforce that reflects the diverse population it serves and we encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We are also committed to preventing and removing barriers to employment for people with disabilities, and we invite you to inform us should you have any accessibility or accommodation needs.

Our mission is simple – to build brands people love. In fact, seven of the top 20 brands in Canada are proudly part of the Arterra Wines Canada family: Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin, Sawmill Creek, Wallaroo Trail, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Ruffino and Kim Crawford.

We have more than 140 years of experience in the Canadian wine industry, with five estate wineries across the country and over 1,700 acres of premium vineyards. We have our pulse on viticulture and its latest innovations and most importantly, an understanding of what Canadian consumers are looking for in a bottle of wine.

We own and operate 164 Wine Rack retail stores in Ontario and sell wine kits and products for winemaking through our RJS Craft Winemaking business.