Vineyard Manager

Do you have a passion for wine and/or making wine? The Vineyard Manager will utilize a scientific and forward-thinking approach; in conjunction with the Viticulturist team will develop and implement policy and procedures and advise on technical and operational viticulture matters across the company. This will have the express purpose of maximizing sustainable yield and fruit quality, ensuring compliance with country standards, and maintaining a high level of vine health and vineyard integrity.

Qualifications:

• Vineyard experience gained within a structured work environment where excellent process and competent management has demonstrated high quality outcomes
• Minimum 2 to 5 years in a leadership role at a vineyard
• Must possess strong leadership skills
• Solid track record of success in previous assignments demonstrating upward career tracking
• Must be dependable, reliable, and self-motivated
• Computer Knowledge a must

• Winter prune vines, tape trunks, and canes
• Dispose of clippings
• Maintain grown coverage
• Shoot thinning
• Shoot positioning
• Cluster thinning
• Hedging 2-3 times a year
• Leaf pulling
• Lateral removal 1-2 times
• Green fruit removal
• Install nets
• Purchase and maintain bird deterring system
• Estimate crop load
• Test grape sugar content
• Harvest grapes
• Spray vineyards every 7-10 days
• Develop and document spray program in accordance with PaEPA
• Complete 6 hours of formal education yearly to keep PA Pesticide Application Certification
• Research vineyard disease and environmental issues to maintain a healthier vineyard

• Submit soil samples to Penn State
• Prepare soil for planting; work with local farmers
• Schedule planting
• Purchase trellis materials
• Coordinate nursery stock and delivery schedule
• Plan planting day (10 people needed)
• Tube and maintain soil around vines
• Maintain soil around vines
• Maintain ground cover between vine rows
• Coordinate and schedule end post construction with outside contractor
• Install line post and wire
• Train new vines for next 3 years

• Handle vineyard tours
• Complete all festival and seasonal decorating as requested

• Hire and terminate seasonal workers
• Plan daily work schedule and activities
• Motivate, train, provide instructions and feedback to employees
• Subcontract workers for special tasks
• Coordinate and monitor manual timecards for all seasonal employees