winemaking internship

Airfield Estates Winery is looking for hard working, motivated, and dedicated individuals to help us with the 2019 harvest season at our state-of-the-art production facility in Sunnyside WA. At our facility, we process ultra-premium Estate grown fruit from small to large batches that requires the upmost of attention to detail. This is a fantastic educational opportunity for people looking to expand their experience in the wine industry, as you will be involved in nearly every aspect of the wine making process. Harvest interns are critical members of the wine making team during these months and will be directly impacting wine quality. These positions usually last from late August through end of October (season dependent) and will require working on one’s feet for extended periods of time, as well as the ability to lift 50 lbs. repeatedly. Prior experience is preferred, but not required. However, we do require the ability to learn safe cellar practices and to understand and perform basic math and measurements.
Forklift experience is a big plus. A team player, good demeanor and sense of humor are especially critical at this time of the year!

Responsibilities will include:

• Cleaning, lots of cleaning! Preparation of crush equipment, tanks, hoses, pumps, fermenter bins (macro bins), picking bins, and using mild cleaners (proxy solution, citric solution, and water) with brushes
• Crush Pad activities
• Daily fermentation cap management – pump overs, punch downs, pulse air and micro-oxidation.
• Digging tanks, filling barrels, lees stirring on red wines and white wines
• Barrel washing with a pressure washer and steamer, utilizing associated tools and attachments
• Moving and stacking barrels, bins, fermenters, and equipment by use of a manual pallet jack and/or forklift (prior certification required)
• Assisting with late summer bottling
• Racking juice or wine between tanks and barrels
• Assisting with press operations using bladder press
• Assisting lab staff with analyses, inoculations, additions, data entry, and the collection of daily numbers (brix and temperatures)

Candidates will take winery hygiene and the listed responsibilities very seriously. This position requires genuine physical work and stamina. Interns can expect to work from 40-80 hours per week depending on the time of the season. Pay will be $13/hr. and time and a half for overtime over 40hrs. Please email a copy of your resume and cover letter.
Contact [email protected]

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