Seasonal Grower Relations Intern - Fresno

The Wine Group•Fresno, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Department Head and Grower Relations Senior Representatives, the Grower Relations Intern supports vineyard operations, grower communications, and harvest coordination. This six-month, hands-on internship provides practical exposure to commercial viticulture and winery grower relations in California’s Central Valley. The intern assists with vineyard monitoring, data collection, crop estimation, maturity sampling, and grower interactions, gaining a full-season perspective from early summer through harvest. The position is intended for individuals pursuing a career in viticulture, enology/winemaking, or agricultural management and is expected to begin in June. A core component of the internship is a season-long project integrating vineyard operations, grower relations, and winemaking objectives. The intern is encouraged to propose and develop a project idea, subject to approval by a Grower Relations Senior Representative and relevant stakeholders. The intern provides periodic progress updates and delivers a final written and/or oral presentation summarizing the project’s objectives, methodology, results, challenges, and key learnings at the conclusion of the internship. The role is primarily performed in vineyards throughout California’s Central Valley, with some time in winery and office environments. Work may involve varying weather conditions, agricultural chemicals in accordance with applicable safety regulations and training, and heavy or loud machinery. Schedules may include early mornings, weekends, and extended hours during critical vineyard and harvest periods. The posted hourly pay rate is $24.00.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Must be at least 21 years old at the start of employment.
Interest in vineyard operations, grower relations, and wine grape production.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Strong attention to detail and ability to collect, organize, and accurately record data.
Commitment to excellence and high standards.
Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines accurately, and work with minimal supervision.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, exercising sound judgment and discretion.
Valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation; mileage is reimbursed and a company vehicle is not provided.
Willingness to work flexible hours during peak seasonal demands, including harvest.

Nice To Haves

Current senior or recent graduate in Viticulture, Enology, Agricultural Science, or a related field.
Experience with GIS software.

Responsibilities

Assist with vineyard monitoring, including phenology tracking, vine health assessments, irrigation observations, and pest/disease scouting.
Maintain professional and timely communication with growers and vineyard managers.
Collect and process grape maturity samples and assist with basic fruit chemistry analysis, such as Brix and other maturity metrics, as applicable.
Create, maintain, and distribute a weekly maturity sampling schedule; coordinate timely collection, delivery, and reporting with vineyard teams and growers.
Participate in crop estimation, yield tracking, and harvest data collection.
Support harvest preparation and logistics, including scheduling, vineyard readiness checks, and coordination with winery personnel.
Maintain accurate vineyard and grower records—including irrigation observations, sampling results, crop estimates, and harvest metrics—using vineyard management software and/or spreadsheets.
Work with the winemaking team and external growers to align on grape maturity and harvest timing.
Participate in occasional winemaking tastings, schedule permitting, to observe quality-control review and fermenter evaluation during harvest.
Complete a season-long project integrating vineyard operations, grower relations, and winemaking objectives; provide periodic updates and a final written and/or oral presentation.
Support special vineyard or grower-related projects as assigned.
Comply with company safety policies, food safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of vineyard and winery operations.