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.

WineTalent Classifieds: Member Relations Manager

Member Relations Manager

WineTalent is working with our client, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, to find a Member Relations Manager to support the organization.  The Napa Valley Grapegrowers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Napa Valley’s world-class vineyards.  The Member Relations Manager will be responsible for the overall development and execution of NVG’s membership outreach plan.  The successful candidate will have a strong sales and marketing background with a proven track record of increasing growth.  The Member Relations Manager will exhibit exceptional professionalism, analytical skills, communication abilities and strategic vision.

Responsibilities:

1.  Membership Outreach

• Develop and manage membership outreach plan to increase membership 

• Host regular meetings and events with potential NVG members to communicate the value 
of membership. Leverage the contacts of NVG Directors and other active member and 
supporters 
• Responsible for meeting membership growth and budget goals as established annually 


2.  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 membership dues renewal process and work with the Director 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 

• Actively solicit feedback from NVG members about ways to add value 

• Assist with the management of the members-only section of the NVG website
• Provide direction and content for membership events including, but not limited to, the 
Annual Membership Meeting and the Annual Dinner 


3.  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 


4.  Working with the Marketing & Communications Committee, fulfill the

      membership objectives of the 2016 Communications Plan

5.  Manage the Volunteer & Hospitality Committee for the NVG’s signature     

       fundraiser, Harvest STOMP




6.   Assist the Executive Director in running the annual Napa Valley Grower of the

       Year award program 


7.    Miscellaneous administrative duties

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, Word, and Access or other database management 

• 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 


Interested candidates should email a resume to amy@winetalent.net.  All inquiries are completely confidential. 

Must Love the Outdoors

Yesterday I had a great day of spreading holiday cheer in the Napa valley. I visited many long time clients, and stopped to visit some new friends. There were a couple of interviews thrown in, so all in all, a very productive day.

I stopped by a vineyard operation that also makes olive oil on the farm. My contact has been managing the vineyards for years now, and also has overseen the olive orchards for some time, and showed me around the olive oil production facility. He didn't let me go visit the orchards because it was really muddy out there and the tractors had really mucked up the field. While I was gung-ho to still go out, we got to see some of the trees and see the picked berries go up the conveyor belt to the press.

I grew up in Northern California and my house backed up to a nature preserve. This was a favorite haunt for me; walking along the paths, picking wildflowers and breathing the fresh air. It was always surprising to hike up there and run into big groves of perfectly ordered olive trees. Looking into the history of these trees, it is believed they may have been planted during the Mission period when the Spanish friars cultivated the land. I grew up near Mission San Jose, and could see that history stood still in these groves.

Through the years volunteer trees had sprouted up--often being shaped into interesting topiaries by the cattle that grazed there. From the perfectly organized orchard to the erratic stands of younger trees I learned a lot about olives. First of all, they taste awful. This was seared into my brain at the age of 5, and never forgotten. Secondly, while they are everywhere and come ripe all at once, it isn't easy to cure them. Lastly, having lived with olive trees everywhere, I was always tracking in olive pits in the treads of my shoes. So, when I was given the chance to see how to really use those fruits, I jumped at it.

Visiting the production facility, it became evident that it takes a lot of pressure to extract the oil from those olives. While I had previously been kept out of the mud in the orchards, I learned how slippery the production floor can get. That traction flooring they use at the site was necessary--and still allowed for some slipping on my part.

It was a lot of fun to see the processing, and then to taste the finished product. I got to try some straight out of the press. I felt bad when I started to cough when the acid hit the back of my throat, but my friend said that olive oil comes in "one cough, two cough, or three cough strength". So when I was trying the finished product I wasn't as self conscious when the oil hit my throat. Tasting olive oils is something I've done infrequently, and it is always fun to swirl that viscous liquid around and then discern different flavors, and strengthes on your palate. But the protocol is a bit different because oil is oil, and hard to get out of your glass, or into the drain.

After the oil tour, I got to tour the vineyard a bit and try some experimental wines. This I have to say is always the most fun for me. I enjoy wine of course, but to me the process is even more interesting. My tour guide has worked for years on this property, and knows the soil structure and habits of the vines. He has experimented a lot with the fruit production on individual rows and varietals, making a few barrels to see how his viticulture practices affected the wine. Tasting wines that were as young as a month old, and up to two years old showed the range of variety grapes and wines can achieve. And drinking barrel samples is always a fun way to try wine.

On the way out of the property my friend was noting the continued presence of a stray Canadian goose. While this is the season that they migrate into the area, this one has been hanging around one spot of the vineyard for several days, alone. On my last visit to the vineyard we had talked about the different wildlife and about some of the river improvements he is working on to prevent flooding throughout the area and increase salmon and other wildlife habitat.

As that lone goose strolled across our path it hit me--this would be my dream job. Getting to be out in the fresh air, experiment with different viticulture and winemaking practices, donning rubber boots to walk through the fields. Yes, there is the flip side of the heat, dirt and hard work. But I've never shied away from that. Being able to track the seasons, learn what the land has to say to me, and deal with Mother Nature to produce wonderful fruit and exceptional products has a lot of appeal to me.

So what does this have to do with getting a job in the wine industry. Always think about what you enjoy and what you like to do. If you enjoy being outdoors--viticulture might be your game. If you enjoy experimenting with different juices and winemaking protocols in the cellar and the lab, winemaking may appeal to you. If you enjoy interacting with the public and enjoy creating a great experience for consumers, hospitality jobs are perfect. For some people, interacting with restaurateurs and retailers is a blast, and wine sales is an excellent career. Managing licensing and compliance is a great line of work for many people. Also, managing profit and loss statements, strategic planning and overseeing accounts receivable is an important role for every company. Think about what you like, how you can apply it to the wine industry, and be a great success. Good Luck.