Winemaking and Spirits Distillation Internship (January - July) 2027

E. & J. Gallo Winery; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

401k plans

Profit sharing

Pet insurance

Company holidays

Employee wine shop access

Job summary

E. & J. Gallo Winery is offering a structured internship in Winemaking and Spirits Distillation for January through July 2027 at our Modesto production sites.

Interns will work alongside seasoned professionals, gaining hands-on experience in bench-scale trials, fermentation, distillation, and sensory evaluation. The program emphasizes technical training, research projects, and presentation of results to management.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled or recently graduated in Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or Engineering.
• Available for entire internship duration (January–July 2027).
• Must have valid driver’s license and ability to travel to varying winery locations up to 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Assist with bench-scale trials in spirits distillation and winemaking.
• Participate in fermentation monitoring and distillation/winemaking processes.
• Contribute to product evaluations, tasting, and sensory analysis.
• Present project results to management at internship end.

Skills

Technical problem solving

Analytical skills

Written & verbal communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in Life Sciences

Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences

Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Winemaking and Spirits Distillation Internship (January - July) 2027

*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.

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

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

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.

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.

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, and twists), color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law (including cancer and predisposing genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, familial status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation (actual or perceived), transgender status, sex stereotyping, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, reproductive health decision making, age, military or veteran status, domestic violence or sexual assault victim status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Nor will Gallo discriminate based on a perception that an individual has any of the foregoing characteristics or is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics.

Gallo will comply with state and local laws prohibiting discrimination for lawful out-of-work behavior, such as off-duty use of cannabis away from the workplace (subject to federal and state law exceptions), the existence of non-psychoactive cannabis metabolites in hair, blood, urine, or other bodily fluids as determined by a drug screening test (subject to federal and state law exceptions).

We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Gallo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let us know at 209.341.7000.

Gallo is enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program and will use the program to verify the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees as required.