Vintage Cellar Hand
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Contract
Oliver, British Columbia, Canada,
West Coast
2026 Harvest Cellar Hand
CheckMate Artisanal Winery
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, British Columbia, Canada
Your next move…
With precision and an uncompromising commitment to excellence, CheckMate Artisanal Winery focuses on crafting small lots of luxury Chardonnay and Bordeaux reds. We are looking for highly motivated Cellar Hand’s to join our team for the 2026 vintage.
Craft Excellence in One of the World’s Most Extraordinary Wine Regions
CheckMate Artisanal Winery is redefining what’s possible in Chardonnay production from our dramatic Okanagan Valley landscape—an environment known for rugged beauty, high‑elevation vineyards, deep glacial lakes, and a terroir unlike anywhere else on earth. Winemaking here is never predictable; it’s a game of strategy, precision, and bold innovation.
As a Harvest Cellar Hand, you’ll join a team committed to meticulous craftsmanship—producing small‑lot, globally acclaimed wines, including our multiple 100‑point Little Pawn Chardonnay.
What Harvest Will Look Like
You will be fully immersed in premium small‑lot winemaking, supporting all aspects of a high‑precision vintage:
- Grape maturity sampling and analysis, fruit reception, pressing, racking, transfers, filling barrels, and inoculations
- Fermentation management (temperature control, inoculations, cap management, monitoring nutrient status, sensory analysis, punch downs and pump overs)
- Winery sanitation – sanitation of grape processing equipment and tanks, barrel cleaning, and overall cleanliness of the cellar
Who You Are
- University/Diploma degree in Winemaking or applicable Science Related Field
- A minimum of 1 harvest experience
- Experience in operation of winery production equipment
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects at one time
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
What We Offer
- The typical hiring range for this position is $22-$25 per hour and is determined by job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and education
- We offer an immersive winemaking experience industry‑leading mentorship, modern facilities designed by internationally renowned architect Tom Kundig, and the chance to work in one of Canada’s most architecturally striking wineries.
- Whether you’re building a career in global winemaking or seeking international vintage experience, CheckMate is a destination winery committed to helping you elevate your craft.
- The position extends from mid-August to the end of November, potential for full-time employment post-harvest for the right candidate.
- Discounts on tours, experiences, and restaurants at our collection of wineries including Mission Hill Family Estate, CedarCreek Estate Winery, Road 13 Vineyards, and Liquidity Wines
