Senior Winemaker

Constellation Brands•Salem, OR

1d•$105,100 - $164,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Winemaker is responsible for the end-to-end leadership, execution, and quality of all winemaking activities from vineyard through bottling. This role ensures the consistent delivery of luxury wines that meet or exceed brand standards, stylistic direction, regulatory requirements, and business objectives. Operating within a multi-brand, matrixed environment, the Senior Winemaker leads site-based and external production while maintaining full accountability for wine quality, operational efficiency, and technical excellence. This role serves as the final authority on blending, sensory evaluation, and winemaking decisions, and acts as a key ambassador for the brand.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Winemaking
8+ years of progressive winemaking experience, including cool climate reductive winemaking
2+ years of leadership or supervisory experience of full-time employees
Strong expertise in sensory evaluation and blending
Deep technical knowledge of vineyards, cellars, lab, and bottling operations
Experience in multi-site, custom crush, or multi-brand environments preferred
Knowledge of TTB and state regulatory requirements
Excellent communication, organizational, and planning skills

Responsibilities

Lead and direct all winemaking processes from grape intake through fermentation, aging, blending, finishing, and bottling
Oversee estate and custom crush operations to ensure consistency, quality, and timely production
Establish and maintain winemaking standards, protocols, and quality benchmarks
Serve as the final authority on wine style, blending, and sensory evaluation
Monitor fermentation, maturation, and storage to ensure optimal wine development
Develop and execute production plans aligned with volume, style, and business targets
Oversee execution of work orders and cellar instructions
Evaluate processes and implement continuous improvement initiatives
Partner with viticulture teams to align vineyard practices with winemaking goals
Assess fruit maturity, vine health, and quality to inform harvest timing and picking decisions
Lead harvest strategy including fruit allocation, logistics, and intake
Provide input on yield targets, farming practices, and block-level decisions
Build strong relationships with internal and external growers
Lead crush planning and coordinate production scheduling with operations teams
Manage wine inventory, blend composition, and surplus wine strategies
Oversee cost centers including grapes, bulk wine, and production inputs
Aligning production plans with financial targets and long-term supply strategies
Ensure wines are produced, aged, and processed to meet shipping timelines
Oversee third-party and custom crush winemaking to ensure alignment with brand standards
Establish specifications, protocols, and quality expectations for external partners
Monitor production progress, blending integration, and finished wine quality
Maintain strong relationships with external facilities and producers
Conduct tastings, blending sessions, and quality evaluations
Review wine samples regularly to ensure proper aging and mitigate risk
Lead process optimization, fining trials, and technical improvements
Leverage analytical data and modern tools to enhance decision-making
Ensure consistency of style and quality across vintages and production sites
Lead, mentor, and develop winemaking and cellar teams
Organize, train, and manage direct reports
Foster a culture of accountability, craftsmanship, and continuous learning
Collaborate cross-functionally with vineyard, operations, lab, supply chain, marketing/brand, and commercial teams
Support talent development and succession planning
Serve as a visible ambassador for the winery and its brands
Participate in tastings, tours, industry events, and trade engagements
Communicate winemaking philosophy, style, and quality standards
Partner with marketing and sales to support brand positioning and growth
Follow and enforce safety protocols and best practices
Ensure compliance with all TTB, state, environmental, and safety regulations
Maintain accurate and audit-ready production records
Support sustainability initiatives including conservation, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship