What are the responsibilities and job description for the Winemaker position at Amaterra?
Amaterra is coming to Bend! Our first location opened in Portland, Oregon, in 2022 and quickly became Portland’s premier destination for wine, elevated casual dining, and unforgettable events and celebrations. We are making our mark in the winery and hospitality industry, shattering records and earning top accolades along the way.
With our wines receiving high praise from Wine Spectator, James Suckling, and other top critics, Amaterra has established itself as a leader in the fine wine industry. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability allows us to craft extraordinary wines that highlight the unique terroir of the Willamette Valley and Columbia Valley / Walla Walla region. Soon, Amaterra’s warm and inviting hospitality will serve historic downtown Bend.
Amaterra has been featured in National Geographic, Sunset Magazine, Forbes, and countless others. We have been honored as the #2 restaurant in Portland for two years in a row and the #3 winery in America for hosting weddings. We are excited to bring our own version of relaxed but refined hospitality to Bend and are seeking passionate, hospitality-driven professionals to join our team as we launch this exciting new venture. If you thrive in an environment where creativity, hospitality, and craftsmanship take center stage, we invite you to be part of something truly special.
As our Winemaker, you will lead our winemaking team in an environment dedicated to excellence. You will oversee all areas of operations at our innovative patent-pending gravity-flow winery. This state-of-the-art facility allows us to create wines with remarkable precision and elegance. We are committed to pushing boundaries and setting new standards for quality, all while working in a unique location. If you are enthusiastic about winemaking, innovation, and leading a team dedicated to crafting world-class wines, we invite you to be part of Amaterra’s journey.
Our Ideal Candidate:
- Experience with both cool-climate and warm-climate varietals, viticulture & winemaking; Harvest wine analysis such as pH, TA, sugar level, progression of ferments, free/total SO2 by aspiration method; Operating pumps, juice and wine transfers, pumping over and punch down experience; Leading harvest operations such as pressing, fruit sorting, racking, inoculation, pump-overs, and filtration.
- A demonstrated ability to deliver wines scoring favorably as compared with the elite competitive group as defined by the Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Advocate, and other organizations.
- On-site and off-site vineyard management, including planting, pruning & soil treatments, organic & biodynamic techniques. Experience working with multiple vineyards is preferred. Exceptional leadership qualities, with experience in guiding and developing a high-performing team.
- Commitment to fostering a culture of accountability, that aligns with company values, and contributing to a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
- Excellent process manufacturing understanding and execution for efficiency, quality assurance, and profitability.
- Experience fostering and managing an environment of continuous improvement in all components of the winemaking function.
- Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) and wholesale/distributor knowledge and general understanding of business model and needs.
- The ability to operate effectively in a sales capacity across various audiences, including detailed and motivating product training for staff, meeting with members, hosting winemaker dinners, and making presentations to customers to showcase our production methods and excellent products.
Position Requirements:
- Education: A bachelor’s degree in Viticulture, biology, chemistry, horticulture or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred. Additional educational backgrounds include Business, Food Science or Agricultural Science, Engineering, and/or Supply Chain Management.
- Experience: 10 years of winemaking experience, including responsibility for managing a team of eight or more people.
- Proficiency in using standard software applications, including Office 365 as well as other winery specific tools such as Wine Direct, ShipCompliant, Vintrace, Innovint, etc.
- Strong vision of brand positioning and a deep understanding of the sales and marketing requirements of an ultra-premium luxury wine.
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of the winemaking process, cultivating partnerships, managing vineyards, negotiating and overseeing contracts, and operating an exquisite custom wine manufacturing business.
- Knowledge of and experience with regulatory compliance, TTB operational reporting, labeling and packaging requirements.
Position Responsibilities:
- Oversee winemaking operations alongside the winemaking team, ensuring that viticulture practices are implemented to produce exceptional wines from both estate and contracted vineyards. Develop a comprehensive farming plan for each vineyard and manage contract partnerships effectively.
- Make informed decisions regarding harvest dates, supported by a thorough sampling program to optimize picking. Oversee grape processing, fermentation, and manufacturing processes, establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to enhance efficiency.
- Collaborate with Marketing to strengthen branding efforts and streamline bottling processes. Ensure robust tracking, SKU management, and traceability within manufacturing processes, providing essential data to customers, accounting and other stakeholders.
- Lead portfolio tastings with key stakeholders to evaluate each wine's quality, style, pricing, and target market. Provide mentorship to the assistant winemaker and cellar staff to ensure continuity and succession planning within the team.
- Conduct weekly meetings with the winemaking staff to discuss production goals, current challenges, SOPs, and farming plan improvements.
- Uphold safety protocols to protect personnel, property, and the environment. Pursue opportunities for professional growth in winemaking through seminars, tastings, and visits to wine regions. Explore innovative techniques and technologies to enhance wine quality.
- Manage the sourcing of purchased grapes, ensuring optimal quantity, type, quality, and pricing. Consider implementing a grower review system to identify suitable partners over time. Annually review vineyard plantings and update the five-year viticultural plan to align grape supply with quality and cost goals, maintaining a balance of estate-grown fruit for premium wines and purchased fruit for entry-level offerings.
- Guide replanting and grafting decisions, ensuring that grape growing aligns with quality standards, cost targets, and environmental objectives. Optimize costs while adhering to budget constraints.
- Advocate for quality-enhancing initiatives and support the sale of estate grapes and surplus bulk wine. Complete monthly inventory and sales forecasts to maintain optimal stock levels and prepare annual operational and capital budgets, justifying expenditures based on their expected return and impact on product quality.
- Regularly review budget variances and manage estate maintenance to keep production assets operational. Collaborate with stakeholders, including the estate sales team and Marketing, to define brand standards for quality, style, packaging, pricing, and product mix. Maintain open communication with all estate stakeholders through weekly updates and lead monthly estate meetings with the estate director.
- Confidently present to diverse audiences, including wine critics, industry organizations, and sales teams.
Benefits:
We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package to our team members who work 30 hours per week which includes:
- Paid time off
- Health, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees and eligible dependents
- Education assistance
- Bonus and retirement plans
- Health care, dependent care, and commuter Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employee Resource Program
- Supplemental insurance options
We are looking to hire individuals whose values align with ours and who believe in doing everything they can to lead by example in safety, compassion, and empathy. If that sounds like you, we encourage you to apply.
