Winemaking and Spirits Distillation Internship (January - July) 2027

GALLO; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

GALLO invites a Spirits Distillation and Winemaking Intern to join our Modesto production sites from January to July. You will work with seasoned professionals, gain hands-on experience in production practices, and contribute to multiple research projects.

The program emphasizes technical training, process improvement, and hands-on fermentation, distillation, and sensory evaluation of wines and spirits. Applicants must be enrolled or recently graduated in Life Sciences or Engineering.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled or recently graduated in Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Engineering.
• Available for entire internship duration (January–July).
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required.

Responsibilities

• Manage bench-scale trials and solve production issues in spirits or winemaking.
• Evaluate process improvements in spirits and wines portfolio.
• Monitor fermentation and distillation facilities during harvest.
• Participate in spirits tasting and sensory evaluation.
• Participate in product evaluations and trials including sample acquisition and fermentation monitoring.
• Participate in wine tasting and sensory evaluation.
• Perform fining, blending, and other winemaking trials.
• Participate in the production, sensory evaluation and bottling of commercial wines and beverages.

Skills

Strong technical skills

Oral and written communication

Driving reliability

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Life Sciences

Bachelor's or Master's in Agricultural Sciences

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering

Job description

Job Req ID:107558

Job Type:Full-time

Work Category:Onsite,

Application Close Date: 10/04/2026

Sponsorship:Not Available

Compensation: $24.00 - 28.00 / hour

Duration: January - July

*Important Information*

Applications will not be reviewed until the application close date.

Candidates must be available for the entire duration of the internship to qualify.

Gallo Privacy Policy

We are GALLO

We're a family-owned company with a 90+ year legacy, that's consistently recognized as a Glassdoor "Best Places to Work." We have130+ brands in our total alcohol beverage portfolio including wine, malt, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages. We're home to the #1 wine and spirits brands in the U.S. - Barefoot Wine & High Noon and are the official sponsors of the NFL, NHL, UFC, and PGA of America.

View our Corporate Values and Mission Statement here.

A Taste of What You’ll Do

Imagine having access to the industry's most cutting-edge technologies in grape cultivation, winemaking, and distillation. As an intern, you'll gain firsthand experience in producing high-quality spirits working alongside professionals to support necessary production practices and research projects. Our production sites craft nearly 100 million cases of wines and spirits each year, and it won't be long before you witness our passion, expertise, and a culture that values research and continuous improvement.

Our internship program offers those interested winemaking or spirits distillation a chance to spend five to six months immersed in the field, working with seasoned professionals at one of our production sites. The program provides a comprehensive experience in technical training and professional development. Interns contribute to a variety of corporate initiatives and research projects, in addition to leading their projects, which they will present to our management team at the end of their internship.

This internship provides students with the opportunity to learn from experienced Product Makers producing a variety of wines, spirits, and beverages while driving a culture of continuous improvement and cutting-edge research. Our portfolio is an area of rapid growth for GALLO and the environment is dynamic as we learn how to develop and produce new beverages.

Placement Opportunities:

Spirits Distillation Interns assist with the commercial production of brandy, whiskey, rum, flavored vodkas, hard seltzers, and other spirits.

Winemaking Interns: Assist with the commercial production of specialty and sparkling wine.

SPIRITS DISTILLATION

Locations: Modesto

Duration: January - July Candidates must be available for the entire duration of the internship to qualify.

This internship provides students with the opportunity to learn from experienced distillers producing a variety of spirits. Spirits-making is an area of rapid growth for Gallo and the environment is dynamic as we learn how to distill and craft new beverages.

What you will do:

• Manage bench-scale trials to problem solve current production issues.
• Evaluate process improvements in making and managing our spirits portfolio.
• Monitor fermentation and distillation facilities during harvest.
• Participate in spirits tasting and sensory evaluation.

WINEMAKING

Locations: Modesto

Duration:January - July Candidates must be available for the entire duration of the internship to qualify.

Interns will work and learn from winemakers responsible for the production of table wines, sparkling wines, flavored wines and other beverages.

What you will do:

• Participate in product evaluations and trials including, but not limited to, sample acquisition, production practices and fermentation monitoring.
• Participate in wine tasting and sensory evaluation.
• Perform fining, blending and other winemaking trials.
• Participate in the production, sensory evaluation and bottling of commercial wines and beverages.

What You’ll Need

• Currently enrolled at a college or university and working towards a Bachelor's degree or Master's degree OR have obtained a Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in the following areas: School of Life Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, or School of Engineering (Business or social sciences degrees are not eligible for this internship, such as ag business, psychology, etc).
• Available for the entire duration of the internship program area(s) of interest.
• Candidate is required to have a valid driver's license, a safe driving record and reliable vehicle (if applicable) at the time of hire. This position will undergo a motor vehicle check (MVR) to confirm a history of safe and responsible driving. If needed, candidate must obtain the appropriate state driver's license based on the position's location within 30 days of hire.
• Required to travel to and from varying winery locations up to 10% of the time.
• Reliable transportation to and from work.
• Required to lift and move up to 40 lbs. when necessary.
• Required to work at heights of 50 feet, on tops of tanks inspecting wine surfaces when necessary.
• Required to be 21 years of age.
• Requires availability to work evenings, weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Strong applied technical skills and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.

How You’ll Stand Out

• Junior or Senior class standing at a college or university and working towards a Bachelor's degree in the school of Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Engineering; OR working towards a Master's degree in the school of Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Engineering.
• Excellent organizational and team skills and experience managing multiple assignments.
• Comfortable in a manufacturing environment.
• Mechanical inclination and an aptitude for design of equipment and manufacturing processes.

Our Benefits & Perks

We are committed to providing competitive compensation, perks, and a culture that supports your well-being. Benefits depend on your work category and may include medical and dental coverage, 401k plans, profit sharing, pet insurance, company holidays, access to an employee wine shop, and more! Additional information will be provided before your first interview.

The Fine Print

• The Company does not sponsor for employment-based visas for this position now or in the future.
• We offer a broad salary range to allow for long-term growth. Actual compensation paid within the range will be determined by multiple factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Although we estimate the successful candidate hired into this role will be placed between the entry point and middle of the range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis related to these factors. In addition to the salary, this position may be eligible for bonuses, incentive plans, or participate in tasting room tip pools, as applicable.
• This position will be based in the location(s) specified in the job posting and requires working on-site with no telecommuting option. You will be expected to live within a commutable distance.
• It is the Company's policy for job postings to be open to internal candidates for a minimum of 5 days and to external candidates, if applicable, for a minimum of 3 days.

Gallo's policy is to afford equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and not to discriminate on the basis of race, traits associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles (such as braids, locks