Laboratory Technician

Willamette Valley Vineyards is looking for a Lab Technician to join our hardworking production team for the 2023 harvest. Come join our team, and take part in making our world-class wines!

Primary Job Responsibilities/Essential Functions

Analysis/Reporting:

• Perform laboratory analysis – basic wet chemistry, enzymatics via spectroscopy, and sensory assessment– on a routine and timely basis
• Provide samples – and analysis as necessary – to support Barrel Topping QA program
• Assist in preparing wine for bottling and perform hourly bottling QC checks during bottling runs
• Perform post-bottling analysis
• Perform post-bottling microbial plating to verify bottle QC
• Provide Winemaking Staff with weekly summary of lab analysis for review
• Keep wine lot records up to date across the winery tracking software (Vintrace)
• Maintain and regularly report up-to-date spreadsheets to track lab analyses – Daily Lab, Heat Stability Results,
• Average Cluster Weights, Maturity Samples, and Daily Brix and Temp
• Support with laboratory and chemical room inventory
• Assist the entire Production Staff with ensuring wine quality – tank top and valve inspections, cleanliness, and wine stability
• Assist in training and overseeing part-time/temporary staffing during harvest
• Manage the completion and reporting of all necessary Harvest analyses – pH, TA, Brix (Density and Refractometry), VA, YAN, potassium and malic acid.
• Manage the completion and reporting of daily Brix and Temperature checks on all fermenting vessels.
• Lead the addition team.
• Assist in additional harvest data entry.
• Any other duties as assigned by the enologist or winemaker.
• Assist in cellar work as necessary
• Other tasks as assigned by the Enologist, Director of Winemaking and Vineyards, Winemaker(s), or Production Manager
• Maintain a professional, clean, safe, and efficient work environment
• Maintain lab chemical log and OSHA and TTB required records

Must be able to:

• Support Company’s effort to create a more sustainable, cross-cultural, and “green” environment
• Make recommendations regarding cost/labor efficiencies, employee concerns, quality concerns, and any other issues to the Director of Winemaking and Vineyards
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled Production and Company meetings
• Make recommendations for safety improvements and report any safety violations to the Production Manager or Winemaking Staff
• Participate in winery related marketing events including barrel tastings and tours as needed
• Ensure all company policies and procedures are followed, and assist in developing policies and procedures as needed
• Collaborate with all department managers towards profitability and help drive the vision and mission of WVV

Requirements:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills and a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Proficiency in MS Office and Excel
• 2 years of college coursework required, Bachelor’s Degree preferred in Biology, Chemistry, Enology, Viticulture, or closely related field
• Minimum of one year of wine laboratory experience
• Ability to lift 40lbs, navigate stairs and hilly terrain, and withstand extreme heat/cold weather
• Must be available for long harvest hours

Other Skills/Abilities:

• Must have highly developed, detail-oriented organizational, operational, and time management skills
• Experience with using rAPID-T system preferred
• Experience with Vintrace or other electronic wine tracking system a plus
• Have completed at least one harvest

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Founded in 1983 by Oregon native Jim Bernau with the dream of creating world-class Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Vineyards has grown from a bold idea into one of the region's leading wineries, earning the title “One of America's Great Pinot Noir Producers” from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Disability insurance
• Employee discount

Job Type: fulltime, parttime

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Other

Education: Bachelor's degree

Work location: On-site