WineTalent Classifieds: Viticulturist in the Salinas Valley

WineTalent is working with our client, Scheid Family Wines, to find a Viticulturist to manage the company’s vineyard farming and viticulture practices. 

About the Company:  Scheid Family Wines is a family owned and operated vineyard and winery with 11 estate vineyards on over 4,000 acres in the Salinas Valley.  Scheid Family Wines is committed to farming the highest quality grapes.  All of the vineyards are certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.

About the Position:  The Viticulturist manages the Scheid Family Wines vineyard farming and viticulture practices. The Viticulturist collaborates and works closely with vineyard management and the viticulture team. This individual will utilize their technical viticulture expertise and solid agricultural techniques to promote vine health and sustainability, crop yield and the quality of the fruit that is produced. The Viticulturist maintains and continues to develop Scheid Family Wines’ commitment to sustainable farming practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the Scheid Family Wines (SFW) vineyard farming and viticulture practices including the following:
• Establish and manage mechanical based precision viticulture programs and farming
• Collaborate on the planning and budgeting, implement the plan and manage the costs
• Oversee pruning, tying, shoot thinning, shoot positioning, trellis and canopy manipulation, suckering, weed control, cultivation, crop estimation, crop thinning, irrigation scheduling, nutrition, pest and fungicide management and harvest coordination
• Coordinate and implement training and education for ranch managers and vineyard labor force regarding education of basic viticulture, mechanical farming, and precision agriculture techniques
• Active member of the viticulture team providing input from core competencies such as vine nutrition, pest management and other inputs that strengthen the team’s approach to farming decisions.
• Develop and implement nutrition programs and validate results through petiole analysis and other diagnostic processes
• Collaborate with viticulture and technology teams to establish data flows in a Precision Agriculture management setting, turning data into action
• Support key seasonal data collection efforts, including crop estimations
• Continued development of the viticulture program documents
• Develop and implement pest prevention programs including soil borne pests, mealy bugs, mites, leaf hopper, fungicides, Botrytis, Eutypa and other related diseases
• Manage trial blocks and experimental varieties and techniques
• Trial blocks for quality enhancements
• Nutrition trials and all trials that are advancing wine quality
• Work directly with the winemaking team in establishment of specific wine quality needs relative to mechanical viticulture and precision agriculture.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• BS or MA Degree in viticulture, plant science, horticulture, agronomy or related discipline
• 3 to 5 years viticulture experience or combination with directly related vineyard experience
• Experience with vineyard operations, farming, or related agricultural experience a plus

REQUIRED SKILLS

• PCA license or ability to gain a PCA license within the first 12 months preferred
• Demonstrated solid knowledge of viticulture practices
• Strong partnering skills and ability to work with a team
• Computer skills including MS Office, and practical competence with agriculture-oriented computer applications
• Rudimentary understanding of winemaking to assist with understanding winegrowing goals and fruit/wine quality grading
• Ability to work overtime (extended hours and weekends) as required
• Ability to understand any and all safety requirements
• Clean DMV record

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• This is a full-time, salaried position.
• Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical, dental and 401K

About WineTalent:  WineTalent is a wine industry focused recruitment company. We work closely with our clients and our job seekers to find the right fit of talents, experience and work environment. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.

Please email resume and all inquiries to amy@winetalent.net  

WineTalent:  The Right People for the Job

WineTalent Classifieds: Member Relations Manager in Napa, CA

Job Opening:  Member Relations Manager with the Napa Valley Grapegrowers.

WineTalent is working with our client, Napa Valley Grapegrowers, on a full-time opening for a Member Relations Manager.  This person will be responsible for the overall development and execution of the organization's membership outreach plan.  The ideal candidate will have a strong sales and marketing background with a proven track record of increasing growth.  Additionally, this person will exhibit exceptional professionalism, analytical and communication skills and strategic thinking. 

To learn more about the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, please visit their website. 

RESPONSIBILITES:

Membership Outreach

·      Develop and manage membership outreach plan to increase membership

·      Host and promote regular meetings and events with current and potential NVG members to communicate the value of membership.

·      Responsible for meeting membership growth and budget goals as established annually

 Member Relations

·        Act as staff liaison to NVG membership

·        Personally meet with and regularly communicate membership benefits with existing members

·        Manage membership database of over 700 members

·        Manage custom web-based CRM platform

·        Manage membership GIS map and update as needed (no prior GIS experience required).

·        Liaise with county Assessor’s office and the Ag Commissioner’s office to maintain current and accurate Napa County parcel data

·        Manage membership dues renewal process and work with the Head of Finance to ensure that accounting and reporting is accurate and timely

·        Assess value for each membership category and make recommendations to enhance membership benefits

·        Manage the members-only section of the NVG website

·        Assist NVG Associate Director to identify and approach members about becoming an annual NVG strategic sponsor

·        Manage the ongoing Board of Directors Liaison program

 Member Events

·      Annual Membership Meeting

§ Work with NVG Executive Director to develop the meeting agenda and overall presentation program

§ Work with Committee Chairs on individual presentations

§ Create power point presentations for each Committee Chair, and upload to laptop

§ Manage the creation of the meeting packets for attendees

§ Work with NVG Event Manager on member takeaway gifts

§ Work with NVG Event Manager on overall timeline, food & beverage needs, AV requirements, etc.

§ Prepare all follow up thank you letters and membership communication

·      Work with the Marketing & Communications Committee in the development and execution of the NVG Social Club

·      Work with NVG team and committees to develop new member events and programs to increase value and benefits of membership

 Member Communications

·      Work with the Marketing & Communications Committee to fulfill the membership objectives of the Marketing Plan

·      Maintain & order inventory of NVG membership collateral materials

·      Provide input on weekly Grower Bulletin newsletters as they relate to communicating benefits of membership

·      Prepare and send membership correspondence

 Provide general support to the Board of Directors and the Executive Director

·      Prepare monthly Board of Directors membership report

·      Prepare biannual Board of Directors membership presentation

Service the goals and objectives of the NVG Strategic Plan

Miscellaneous administrative duties and event support

QUALIFICATIONS:

• ·      At least 5 years in related position
• ·      Superior writing and verbal communication skills
• ·      Experience or interest in Napa Valley winegrape growing
• ·      Highly motivated work ethic and organizational skills
• ·      Strong interpersonal skills and an outgoing personality
• ·      Advanced abilities to create, maintain, and report budgets
• ·      Demonstrated success managing accounts and performing analyses
• ·      Proficiency in Excel and Word. Experience with CRM and/or database tools a plus
• ·      Experience with the sales and management of a luxury brand a plus
• ·      Ability to assist with event set up, breakdown, and coordination
• ·      Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• ·      Clean driving record with the California DMV

ALL INQUIRIES WILL BE KEPT COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL.  PLEASE EMAIL YOUR RESUME TO AMY@WINETALENT.NET TO BE CONSIDERED.