Wine Technician

City-Winery; Town of Montgomery (NY); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

City Winery in New York is seeking a Wine Technician to support cellar, harvest, bottling, packing wine orders, and occasional vineyard work. The role combines hands-on winery operations with sanitation, equipment maintenance, and teamwork.

You will assist winemakers, perform routine lab analyses after training, operate pallet jacks and forklifts, and help during harvest season with extended hours when needed. A flexible, physical role in a dynamic hospitality setting.

Qualifications

• Professional and effective communication skills.
• Driving license and clean DMV record.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Flexible and able to work independently as well as collaboratively with a team.
• Ability to perform physical requirements including standing for extended periods, kneeling, stooping, and lifting up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining cellar sanitation to CW requirements with daily, weekly, and monthly sanitation of kegs, tanks, fittings, pumps, hoses, etc.
• Lots of cleaning and sanitation.
• Communicate to Winemaker any concerns about wines (off aromas, bad color, etc.).
• Topping barrels
• Tank top inspections
• Filling kegs
• Bottling
• Racking and transferring wine
• Movement of barrels, tanks and pallets with Pallet Jack
• Movement of barrels, tanks and pallets with Forklift
• Participating in harvest activities, including grape and juice fermentation during harvest months under supervision
• Other duties as specified by Winemaker
• Seasonal hours during harvest may include extended hours and extra days (up to 6 days per week). Day off may be on a weekday.
• Conduct laboratory analysis following training by Winemaker and Assistant Winemaker: Free SO2, Brix, pH and Temp tracking, FTIR Analysis by FOSS, VA by Cash Still, Titratable Acidity, Enzymatic Analysis of Sugar and Malate.
• Monthly cleaning of tap lines
• Proper and safe handling of kegs
• Adhere to CW safety practices pertaining to CW tap system and tri-clover keg management
• Weekly cleaning of empty kegs
• Filling kegs to meet wine demand
• Assist with vineyard activities: pruning, leaf/shoot thinning, vine tying, vineyard sprays, harvesting grapes

Skills

Driving License

Communication

Organization

Flexibility

Physical stamina

Job description

A rare opportunity to join the City Winery team as we reimagine the future of live music and hospitality. City Winery to deliver the highest end combined culinary and cultural experience to our customers who are passionate in sharing wine, music, and culinary arts. We are a unique facility, combining a fully functioning winery with intimate concerts, food & wine classes, private events in a variety of configurations, and fine dining. We have created a compelling mix for our sophisticated clientele of foodies, and active cultural patrons.

Position Summary

The Wine Technician is a general winery worker – cellar work, harvest support, bottling, packing wine orders, occasional vineyard work, occasional laboratory work, and LOTS of cleaning. will support the day-to-day activities pertaining to winery operations.

Overview of Responsibilities

Winery & Equipment Maintenance

• Responsible for maintaining cellar sanitation to CW requirements with daily, weekly, and monthly sanitation of kegs, tanks, fittings, pumps, hoses, etc.

Cellar

• Lots of cleaning and sanitation!
• Communicate to Winemaker any concerns about wines (off aromas, bad color, etc.)
• Topping barrels
• Tank top inspections
• Filling kegs
• Bottling
• Racking and transferring wine
• Movement of barrels, tanks and pallets with Pallet Jack
• Movement of barrels, tanks and pallets with Forklift
• Responsible for participating in harvest activities, including grape and juice fermentation during harvest months (September through November), under the supervision of Winemaker and Assistant Winemaker
• Other duties as specified by Winemaker
• Seasonal hours during harvest may include extended hours and extra days (up to 6 days per week). Day off may be on a weekday

Laboratory

• Conduct laboratory analysis following training by Winemaker and Assistant Winemaker:
  • Free SO2 by Aspiration/Oxidation
  • Brix, pH and Temperature tracking
  • FTIR Analysis by FOSS
  • VA by Cash Still
  • Titratable Acidity
  • Enzymatic Analysis of Sugar and Malate

CW Tap system

• Monthly cleaning of tap lines
• Proper and safe handling of kegs (required training will be provided)
• Adhere to CW safety practices pertaining to CW tap system and tri-clover keg management
• Weekly cleaning of empty kegs
• Filling kegs to meet wine demand

Vineyard

• Assist with various vineyard activities for on-site vineyard, including:
  • Pruning, leaf/shoot thinning, vine tying
  • Vineyard sprays
  • Harvesting grapes

In addition, this role is expected to support other reasonably assigned duties, tasks, and projects, as per business need

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional and effective communication skills
• Driving License and Clean DMV Record
• Superior organization skills and attention to detail
• Flexible and able to work independently as well as collaboratively with a team
• Ability to perform physical requirements of position including standing for extended periods of time, kneeling, stooping, using stairs, able to lift, carry, push, pull weights of at least 50 lbs.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays as needed. Must be able to work 6 days per week during Harvest season.

About Us

Wine, food, and live entertainment collide at City Winery to create a dynamic and incredibly unique workplace. Since 2008, City Winery has been turning heads across the nation with amazing live performances, delectable cuisine, and award winning, locally produced wines. But there's more to us than that: we’re a haven for community and creativity, a place where the philosophy of hospitality is more than just a buzzword, but a way of life. City Winery, founded by music industry veteran & visionary Michael Dorf, has established itself as a one-of-a-kind brand providing unforgettable experiences for guests. From world class music venues to sustainably produced wines with ratings of 90+ points, City Winery offers a range of topnotch events & experiences.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at City Winery. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Additionally, City Winery participates in the E-Verify Program in certain locations, as required by law.

We use eVerify to confirm U.S. Employment eligibility.