Vineyard Manager
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
Frind Estate Winery
Kelowna, BC, Canada,
West Coast
Overriding duty will be to grow exceptional quality grapes consistent with needs of the wine portfolio in order to achieve the goals of the Business. All farming activities associated with managing multiple vineyards, irrigation, fertilization, canopy management, pest and disease monitoring and control. Provide data and record keeping on all vineyard activity. The successful candidate will be able to manage all vineyard development activities including land preparation, trellis and irrigation system installation, planting, and equipment selection. Create and work to a yearly approved budget. They will also be able to train personnel in all areas of equipment operation and maintenance, safety procedures and regulations related to the vineyard functions while also maintaining close supervision of field crew assuring proper procedures are adhered too.
Essential functions:
• Hire and manage all part time and seasonal vineyard workers within the latitude of the vineyard budget.
• Manage a training plan for vineyard workers, including mandatory third party training (First Aid, Pesticide Applicators Course, etc.)
• Manage an effective Preventive Maintenance program for all vineyard vehicles, equipment, and irrigation systems. Arrange for repairs as needed.
• Identify when changes to the vineyard budget are necessary, and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Recommend areas of improvement for crop quality, reduction in costs, etc.
• Maintain proper records of all vineyard operations activities.
• Work with Winemaker in Crop Load Management to grow best quality wine grapes
• Work with Winemaker in Harvest coordination and execution
• Act as liaison to outside organizations such as BC Wine Grape Council, BC Grape Growers Association,
• Provide accurate and timely data collection, crop estimates, and other pertinent information to winemaker.
• Maintain crop loads and growing conditions as directed by management
• Integration of new technology to improve farming decisions
• Coordinate and maintain tools and harvest equipment needs and supplies
• Assign and supervise work as necessary
• Oversee grounds maintenance and miscellaneous agricultural projects
• Be responsible for communication with other members of management team and staff of pertinent information regarding the vineyards
• Interpret company policies to workers and enforce safety regulations.
• Actively participate in and evaluate employee training programs
• Collaborate with other members of the team for strategic planning and forecasting
• Initiate and participate in discussions for future projects that will enhance production efficiencies pertinent to all operations in all locations and facilities.
• Ability to work extended hours during harvest and peak periods to include periodic shift work.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with others in a team environment.
• Oversee vineyard experiments, design new investigations, collect pertinent data, (relative to vineyard mapping involving but not limited to EVI (Enhanced Vegetative Index), Anthocyanin, Chlorophyll Nitrogen and Soil Resistivity for CLIENT estate vineyards) and propose action plan when needed.
• Cooperate with educational and industry professionals on research projects and participate in industry work groups and committees.
• Research and stay abreast of new technology innovation relative to vineyard renovation, proposing and implementing, in order to ensure best practice for optimal quality.
• Research & Technical experimentation in close collaboration with the Winery winegrowing team on Frind vineyard blocks intended for research wines.
• Development & consolidation of outstanding internal/external working relationships for Frind estate vineyards development and associated vineyards
• Manage external grape suppliers in order to deliver exceptional quality grapes.
• Develop the annual Frind vineyard estate management plans for Management, including Oversight of the Management’s logistical planning/implementation/follow-up program for cultural operations throughout the year and coordinating and attending monthly management company meetings to ensure quality and financial standards are met.
• Assist Management on all CapEx planning and implementation for Frind vineyard estate projects, add Pritchard Vit in your header when replying(vineyard redevelopment/vineyard operations)
• Manage Capex for Vineyards, Landscape and Water
• Monitor pests and diseases problems in Frind estate vineyards and recommend integrated pest management strategies when action is needed
• Maintain grape maturity assessment program
• Coordinate and report on pest and disease related problems, including Powdery Mildew, Fungal disease, Botrytis Cineria, Viruses, Mites, Animal/Bird control, Pests, Leafhopper and recommend bio control.
• Collect & review spray use reports prior to harvest Coordinate & manage the collection of estate vineyard data including pruning weights, crop weights, tissue and soil sampling, phenology, cultural practices
• Coordinate annual technical vineyard mapping involving but not limited to EVI (Enhanced Vegetative Index), Anthocyanin, Chlorophyll Nitrogen and Soil Resistivity
• Provide timely Bud break, post-Set and Veraison crop estimates to Management
• Manage irrigation programs for vineyard operations, including scheduling, water status monitoring, and Adcon weather
• Manage the Frind vineyards, grounds and winery water supply
• Ensure environmental compliance and certifications, including Safety compliance for Frind Vineyards and Grounds
Minimum 8 years experience as Vit. Manager
Compensation based on experience and managing 700 acres worth of vineyards.
How To Apply
Please send resume to
[email protected]
