Senior Winemaker

Bonterra Organic Estates • Hopland, CA

4d • $136,000 - $155,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Part of global powerhouse Viña Concha y Toro, Bonterra Organic Estates is focused on crafting wines made from organic and Regenerative Organic Certified® grapes from our facility in Mendocino County, California, including category leader Bonterra (named the 2016 Wine Enthusiast American Winery of the Year); sustainability standout Fetzer; and 1000 Stories, California's original Bourbon barrel-aged wine. We are also the nation’s leading importer of South American wines including Casillero del Diablo, the #1 Chilean wine brand (750ml) in the U.S.; Trivento Reserve, the #2 selling Malbec in the U.S.; and Don Melchor, #1 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2024 list. In the role of Sr. Winemaker , you will be accountable for the strategy, leadership, and execution of winemaking activities—from harvest logistics and fermentation through blending and bottling—to deliver consistent, award winning (90+ point) wines at scale. This role participates in the organic and sustainable production systems, manages custom crush client programs with a high touch, commercial mindset, and drives a culture of safety (EHS/HK&S), quality and continuous improvement across a 1.2M case operation. Scope Deliver product quality and efficiency that meets brand standards, client specifications, certifications and financial plans Develop and execute long-term winemaking strategy aligned to growth in organic, premium tier and custom crush portfolios Champion safety (EHS/HK&S), compliance and robust management systems across all winemaking activities Represent the winery at trade, media, client and consumer events; elevate our reputation for quality and sustainability

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Enology/Fermentation Science or related field, and ten years progressive winemaking experience, or equivalent combination education/experience
• 10+ vintages of progressive winemaking experience, including large‑scale operations (≥500k cases); multi‑site experience, a plus
• Demonstrated leadership of organic wine programs (certification requirements, inputs, audits, chain of custody)
• Proven custom crush and client-facing record of accomplishment with references
• Evidence of 90+ point results from reputable publications across one or more brands/tiers
• Vineyard assessment and fruit to program alignment; harvest logistics at scale
• Fermentation management (white/rosé/red), oxygen management, microbiology and stability
• Blending architecture, sensory leadership and data-driven decision making
• Packaging readiness (filtration, stabilization, gas management) and bottling line collaboration
• Proficiency with Office 365 and winery software/LIMS; strong documentation discipline
• Team building, coaching and performance management; cross-functional influence
• Clear, persuasive communicator with clients and trade; confident public speaking and presentation skills
• Ability to work extended hours during harvest
• Travel approximately 20% for grower visits, client engagements and trade events (domestic/international as needed)
• Valid Driver’s License and the ability to be insured

Nice To Haves

• Organic certification familiarity (e.g., USDA Organic, CCOF) and sustainability frameworks (e.g., CCSW)
• Bilingual English and Spanish is a bonus

Responsibilities

• Vintage Processing and Production (Crush to Bottle) Activities Own end-to-end harvest logistics including fruit scheduling, receival, weigh tag accuracy, intake assessment and capacity utilization for assigned brands
• Direct fermentation strategy (yeast/bacteria selection, nutrient/O 2 management, cap management, temperature curves) for quality and efficiency
• Oversee bulk inventory
• Ensure organic and sustainability standards are designed into SOPs (approved inputs, segregation, chain of custody, audit readiness)
• Partner with Grower Relations to assess vineyards, optimize pick windows, and align fruit quality to program specs and cost targets
• Lead the winemaking operating budget for assigned brands and custom clients, yield performance, loss management and cost per case; deliver projects on or under target
• Maintain tight, continuous communication among cellar operations, bottling, quality and supply chain to hit plan
• Ensure zero nonconformances in organic/food safety audits; inventory accuracy
• Blending and Product Readiness Activities Lead sensory evaluation and analytical reviews to allocate lots and create blends that meet brand architecture and client briefs
• Build award-winning profiles capable of achieving 90+ point scores in relevant publications; maintain benchmark library and tasting rigor
• Prepare blends to final spec; issue clear, timely cellar work orders; manage ullage and corrective actions for out-of-spec lots
• Ensure prebottling readiness (free SO₂, DO/CO₂, filtration plans, cold stabilization, additions) and on-time delivery
• Ensure accurate, real-time production records and traceability
• Custom Crush and Client Management Activities Build strong custom crush client satisfaction (renewals, margin to plan)
• Serve as primary technical contact for custom crush clients: define style/brief, contract specs, service levels, and milestones
• Provide proactive status communications, tastings, and decision points; manage trials, approvals and documentation
• Coordinate with Finance and Supply Chain teams to maintain scope, cost transparency and invoicing accuracy
• Marketing, Trade and Promotion Activities Represent the winery in trade tastings, media interviews, winemaker dinners, seminars and key account visits
• Maintain current knowledge of competitive sets and winemaking trends domestically and internationally
• NPD, Trials and Continuous Improvement Activities Design and execute New Product Development (NPD) trials (yeast/nutrient regimes, oak trials, fining/filtration, DO/CO₂ optimization) to enhance quality and efficiency
• Scale successful trials; formalize SOP updates; present outcomes to leadership and clients
• Safety, EHS and HK&S Compliance Activities Model and enforce safety-first behaviors; ensure compliance with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) / Housekeeping and Sanitation (HK&S) policies, Cal/OSHA requirements and food safety standards
• Conduct monthly safety walks/audits; lead incident investigations, Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) and trend reviews; ensure contractor safety integration
• Team Player and Development Activities Participate in developing a high-performing winemaking team; set clear KPIs; drive accountability and cross-functional collaboration
• Facilitate structured tasting panels and postmortems (vintage and packaging)
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and problem solving

Benefits

• First day Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability, Tax Savings (401k with company match), Short and Long-Term Disability, paid vacation, sick leave and company holidays.
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account benefits available to eligible employees.
• Community engagement is encouraged with one day/shift off per year as Volunteer Time Off (VTO).
• We offer many employee-focused health, wellness, training and safety-related programs as well as scholarship opportunities for dependents.

What This Job Offers

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