Seasonal Cellar Support - Robert Hall Winery

Wine Industry Expo; Sonoma (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

O’Neill Vintners & Distillers in Paso Robles, CA seeks a seasonal Cellar Technician 1 to assist in winemaking, maintenance, and sanitation of equipment. The role runs Aug 3, 2026 to Nov 15, 2026 and is on-site at the Paso Robles winery.

The position is non-exempt with a base pay range of $20–23/hour. Candidates must meet safety standards and be able to work long peak-period hours, lifting 60-gallon barrels and operating winery equipment.

Qualifications

• One to two years’ experience in the wine or related industry preferred.
• Ability to work any shift, 7 days a week.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Read and understand work orders.
• Gauge tanks accurately.
• Obey safety and work rules.
• Keep appearance neat and clean.
• Assist unloading trucks at crop reception.
• Make crush additions at the crop reception.
• Clean the crop reception area safely.
• Water back fresh crushed pomace.
• Rehydrate yeast and inoculate fermenters.
• Make fermentation additions.
• Pump over red fermenters.
• Clean the pump-over apparatus.
• Clean and sanitize winery equipment.
• Load bulk trucks as required.
• Mix and sample wine tanks.
• Fill and empty wine barrels.
• Top wine barrels with additions.
• Operate forklift.

Skills

Wine industry experience

Shift flexibility

Follow written/verbal instructions

Communication skills

Tools

Forklift operation

Job description

Description:

O’Neill Vintners & Distillers was founded in 2004 with a simple idea from our founder, Jeff O’Neill, that great wines should be enjoyed by all. We believe those wines must be of exceptional quality, centered around our core belief that doing the right thing for our employees, consumers, partners, and the planet is key to a sustainable future. As our family-owned business has grown, so has our belief in business as a force for good. We are proud to be an industry leader in sustainability and a Certified B Corporation.

We are one of California's largest wineries, with operations in Larkspur, Sonoma, Paso Robles, and Parlier, CA. Our award-winning portfolio of consumer brands includes Line 39, FitVine, Harken Chardonnay, Rabble, Charles Woodson’s Intercept, Robert Hall, Allegro Cellars, Ram’s Gate, Substance, ViNO, 209 Gin, and BrandyLab.

The Cellar Technician 1 will assist in all phases of the winemaking process, as well as care, maintenance, and sanitation of all equipment and facilities. Candidates should strive to learn something new each day, while being proactive and attentive to crafting high-end wines.

This position is a seasonal role with the approximate dates of August 3, 2026 to November 15, 2026, subject to change based on business need.

Requirements:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job, but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

• Able to read and understand work orders
• Able to gauge tanks accurately
• Must understand and obey all safety and work rules
• Be neat and clean in appearance
• Assist unloading of trucks at the crop reception
• Make crush additions at the crop reception
• Safely and effectively clean the crop reception area
• Water back fresh crushed pomace
• Rehydrate yeast and inoculate fermenters
• Make fermentation additions
• Pump over red fermenters
• Safely and effectively clean the pump-over apparatus
• Clean and sanitize general winery equipment
• Load bulk trucks as per requirements
• Mix and sample wine tanks
• Fill and empty wine barrels
• Make additions to and top wine barrels
• Operate forklift

QUALIFICATIONS:

To fulfill this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• One to two years’ experience in the wine or related industry preferred
• Ability to work any shift, 7 days a week
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions
• Good written and verbal communication skills

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to do the following:

• Regularly required to roll, move, and/or lift 60-gallon wine barrels when needed
• Must be able to stand, stoop, lean, lift, and squat, sometimes for extended periods
• Work long hours during the peak period
• Climb stairs and ladders

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This is an on-site position working in our Paso Robles, CA winery.
• Works in a wine cellar where temperatures are cool and the noise level is usually moderate to high at times
• Ability to work indoors or outdoors in varying extremes of weather, including heat, cold, and rain

California Pay Transparency Notice: This position is classified as non-exempt. The base compensation range for this role is $20-23/hour. Candidates are generally not hired at or near the maximum of the base compensation range. Final salary placement will depend on several factors, including the candidate’s qualifications, education, relevant experience, and alignment with current market data.

O’Neill Vintners & Distillers is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions, including hiring, promotion, discipline, and discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

All employees must pass a comprehensive background check and drug screen and adhere to all Company, Federal, and State Food Safety Regulations and Policies. This organization participates in E-Verify.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES

Please note that we do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Services Agreement, we will not consider or agree to any payment of referral compensation or a recruiter fee. In the event that a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, we explicitly reserve the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.