Description
Job Title: Vineyard Manager
Reports To: Director of Winemaking
FLSA: Exempt (Salary)
Location: 2910 Limestone Way, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Standard Hours: M-F 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Harvest hours vary)
Pay: $85,000-$95,000 DOE
Status: Full Time
About ONX Wines
ONX Estate Wines is seeking out an experienced Vineyard Manager to join our team. ONX specializes in blends from our west-side estates in the renowned Templeton Gap and Willow Creek AVAs. At ONX Wines, our goal is to craft a portfolio that ranks among the world’s finest—wines that honor the land through organic practices and celebrate the people and history that shaped it. We aim for high-quality farming standards that create wines indicative of the terroir of our estate vineyards.
Tin City, where our tasting room and winery are located, is a vibrant and unique industrial hub located in Paso Robles, that has become a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. The community of Tin City is a collection of small, artisanal producers who have set up shop in repurposed industrial buildings, creating a charming, eclectic mix of tasting rooms, breweries, wineries, and distilleries. We are really proud to be a part of this community; this role is a special opportunity for anyone looking to further their career and grow with a well-established brand.
Summary
Job Details:
The Vineyard Manager (VM) is responsible for overseeing ONX Winery’s farming operations, viticulture practices, new vineyard development, and grape sales. In close collaboration with the Winemaker, the VM ensures alignment with ONX’s winemaking objectives and contributes to enhancing the reputation and prestige of the estate properties.
Utilizing technical viticulture expertise and first-hand experience, the VM aims to promote vine health, sustainability, crop yield and quality, while maintaining our commitment to organic and regenerative farming practices, including physiological pruning, cover cropping, composting, and the protection of native plants and animal habitat.
This role is also responsible for all non-vineyard land and roads maintenance and fire prevention measures. The VM supports the development and maintenance of intentional landscaping, conservation efforts, and other land-specific needs.
The VM oversees and manages the sale of grapes to client wineries, including the development of grape purchase agreements, vineyard-client relationships, and ensures the fulfillment of harvested grapes to clients.
Vineyard
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Collaborates on the farm planning and budgeting with Winemaker and Owner; implements the farm plan and manages costs associated for all producing and newly developed estate vineyards.
- Oversees pruning, tying, shoot thinning, shoot positioning, canopy management, suckering, crop estimation, crop thinning, nutrition, pest and fungicide management, and harvest coordination, in partnership with contract vineyard management staff.
- Acts as the primary liaison to contract vineyard management support, ensuring diligent communication, business planning, and strong relationship building.
- Develops and manages seasonal organic spray programs for nutrition and disease pressure, maintaining spray intervals, purchasing materials, scheduling and maintaining sprayer equipment.
- Visits all vineyard blocks on a regular basis to observe pest pressure, vine condition, and the progress and quality of viticulture practices. Provides feedback to Winemaker on work and vine quality.
- Reviews vineyard performance with Winemaker to determine annual pruning strategies and all vineyard practices that may affect yield and fruit quality.
- Coordinates and ensures proper implementation of vineyard operations including managing contractors, supervision and safety, labor, tractor operations and equipment.
- Follows all best practices in equipment operation and maintenance.
- Responsible for the creation and implementation of a schedule to monitor individual block performance and highlight issues such as pests, disease, virus, vigor, and natural disasters (ie frost, smoke, hail).
- Develops and implements nutrition programs and validates results through leaf and petiole analysis and other diagnostic procedures.
- Integrates agro-ecological principles into vineyard practices, including biodiversity enhancement, soil health, and ecosystem restoration.
- Manages trial blocks for experimental varieties and techniques.
- Collaborates with Winemaker on new vineyard development.
- Oversees the development of new estate vineyards including budget, timeline, schedule, layout design, plant ordering, planting, and establishment procedures
- Maintains all necessary viticulture records including phenology, disease and virus, crop estimates, and harvest weight information.
- Maintains regulatory record-keeping such as spray records, MSDS log and safety procedures, county permits, and crop insurance.
Non-Vineyard
- Collaborates with team members regarding conservation and environmental corridors, water catchment, landscaping, road and facility maintenance.
- Develops budgets, timelines and schedules for projects associated with the estate properties including ongoing removal of invasive species, tree management, and oak woodland restoration.
- Coordinates sub-contractors including scheduling, timelines, and compliance for non-vineyard operations.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Manages ONX Wines vineyard crew.
- Schedules and manages the necessary personnel for vineyard operations in relationship with budgeted labor costs.
- Ensures timely planning, initiation, and completion of all viticulture practices.
- Promotes safety in the vineyard and trains employees for safety programs and all vineyard tasks, including pesticide and herbicide applications.
- Promotes a dynamic, positive, inclusive work-environment for vineyard crew members.
- Promotes learning, technical proficiency and high standards of quality with vineyard crew members.
- Assumes responsibility for the accurate and timely submission of employee work time records.
- Leads the hiring process of any new crew members.
Requirements
Required Experience, Education, & Skills:
- Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Viticulture/Enology related fields or equivalent.
- 5+ years of viticultural experience with 3+ years of supervisory experience, or equivalent.
- Strong Spanish language skills required.
- Must be able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Clear communication skills and comfortable working collaboratively with all levels of the organization.
- Ability to lead teams in an effective and positive manner.
- Ability to work long hours and in various weather conditions.
- Demonstrated history of effective people management.
- Must have a valid Driver’s License
- Travel requirements: 10% or less.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to do the following:
- Walk, kneel, bend, and stand for prolonged periods
- Climb stairs as needed
- Lift and move up to 60lbs
- Work in warm Paso Robles outdoor temperatures/conditions
- Navigate steep and uneven vineyard terrain
Additional Information
This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder might differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties, as assigned, might be part of the job.
ONX Winery is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind, including but not limited to, discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as defined by federal, state, or local law.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for visa sponsorship.
