Harvest Lab Technician - Penner-Ash Wine Cellars

Jackson Family Wines • Newberg, OR

23h • Onsite

About The Position

This is a cellar/lab hybrid role for the 2026 harvest season at Penner-Ash Wine Cellars, a winery that focuses on small-lot, vineyard-designate wines from sustainably farmed vineyards in the Northern Willamette Valley. The winery anticipates processing approximately 200 tons of fruit, primarily Pinot Noir, along with Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier. The internship typically begins in late August with harvest preparation, cleaning, and vineyard sampling. As fruit arrives, the focus shifts to processing, fermentation work, and cap management, followed by pressing and barreling down. Harvest generally concludes between late October and early November. This hybrid position offers an all-encompassing harvest experience, working closely with the winemaking team. Primary responsibilities include supporting and facilitating juice/wine analysis and implementing data-driven decisions.

Requirements

• Well organized, clean, detail-oriented, and possess strong analytical skills
• Capacity to work independently and with others at all levels of the organization
• Cellar proficiency
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills in Word and Excel
• Willingness to work extended hours and various shifts
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Ability to occasionally reach with hands and arms, occasionally sit, walk, climb, stoop, or kneel
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

Nice To Haves

• 1 year of full-time cellar/lab experience or 2+ harvests of cellar/lab experience
• Experience with Y-15 or Spica analyzer
• Bachelor’s degree in Enology, Fermentation Science, or related field

Responsibilities

• Coordinate all routine lab analysis with Enologist
• Help sample vineyards and process juice panels
• Assist with daily lab analysis for harvest
• Perform Juice panels/Drain & Press panels using Y-15 and Autotitrator
• Present data to winemaker in a timely and organized manner for quick but informed decision making
• Set up and execute benchtop trials
• Help troubleshoot lab equipment when needed
• Perform primary fermentation monitoring (Brix & Temps) using DMA for all small lot fermenters
• Enter data in excel and tracking software
• Maintain a clean and organized workspace
• Provide assistance with cellar work as needed
• Safely and properly handle chemicals
• Sample tanks for analysis
• Facilitate tank adds and inoculations
• Perform occasional punch downs and pump overs
• Help on the sorting line
• Assist in cleanup of the winery when all lab duties are finished

Benefits

• Pay transparency: The base pay for this role ranges from $19.50 - $24.50 per hour. Compensation will be determined by candidate experience, skills, and location.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern