Intern, Viticulture Technician

Job Description

Company Summary

If you have taken a moment to unwind with a bottle of beer, toast with glass of wine, or celebrate with a cocktail, chances are that you have shared that moment with Constellation Brands.  We are passionate producers of iconic beer, wine and spirits brands that consumers love.  From Corona Extra to Robert Mondavi Wines, and Lingua Franca we produce over 100 premium brands with sales in nearly 100 countries, making us the number one multi-category beverage alcohol company in the U.S.

Lingua Franca was inspired by an extraordinary vineyard site in the Eola-Amity Hills of the Willamette Valley. Founded in 2015 by Master Sommelier Larry Stone and Dominique Lafon, an iconic producer of Burgundy, and mentor to many winemakers in the Willamette Valley. Our young and talented winemaking team provides a place for you to contribute your experience towards our continued growth. 

Position Summary

We are seeking an individual who is looking for opportunities to gain more experience in the field of Viticulture and winemaking. The ideal candidate will have a passion for knowledge and a willingness to learn, with a background in Viticulture, Agriculture or the Wine Industry.  As a small vineyard this will be a hands-on farming experience as well as a viticulture internship. Candidates should be prepared to participate in many aspects of on-site farm work, as well as participate in many of the more data analysis-based viticulture roles.

This assignment will shift from a Viticulture internship to a winery internship in the weeks leading up to harvest, at which point candidates will be participating in all aspects of winemaking until processing is complete, generally mid-November.

This is a temporary full-time, on-site internship assignment. Schedules are determined on an as-needed basis to keep up with grape processing. This may include weekend work, and overtime. We hope to start this assignment on or around May 1, 2025.

Viticulture Tech Responsibilities

• Field Scouting- monitoring of canopy management, phenology, and pest and disease management.

• Crop Estimates- collects data and vineyard samples to create annual crop estimate.

• Manages irrigation on newly planted vineyards

• Manages spot water program for interplants in dry-farmed vineyards

• Maintains high level understanding of hand labor being conducted and works alongside of team as necessary.

• Works alongside hand labor supervisor to insure standard of work across farm.

• Assists spray operators by reviewing spray plans and conducting chemical inventory.

• Participates in some tractor operation.

• Harvest Maturity Sampling on both internally managed farms and on vineyards where fruit is purchased.

• Operation of ATV including loading and unloading

• Participate in training and safety programs to enhance job performance and knowledge.

• Safe operating procedures, support safety programs and policies to safeguard personal safety, company property, environmental and team member’s safety.

Winery Responsibilities

• Assist Winemaking team with executing all winemaking operations to meet quality targets including:

  • Tank and equipment sanitation

  • Wine and must movement

  • Cap management

  • Barrel prep, sanitation, filling, and/or emptying        

• Understand and comply with applicable quality, environmental and safety regulatory considerations

• Learn and develop winemaking skills

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to work from May through end of November

• Ability to work various shifts including weekends and overtime

• Recent graduate or pursuing a degree in Viticulture/Agriculture or related field

• Excellent organizational and communication skills – oral and written

• Experience in computer applications (Excel, Word, and Outlook).

• Ability to work well independently and in teams.

• Cultivate a good understanding of all winemaking procedures and production protocols 

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the winemaking processes and procedures

• Understand and comply with applicable quality, environmental and safety regulatory considerations

• Learn and develop winemaking skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous harvest experience

• Ability to communicate in Spanish

• Strong sense of commitment

• Self-starter attitude

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Involves prolonged outdoor exposure in a range of weather conditions, loud noises, toxic chemicals and working near moving mechanical parts. Frequent walking, standing, sitting, bending, kneeling, crouch or crawl in vineyards. Must be able to stand and walk over rough or uneven terrain. Must be able to move up to 55 lbs. Must have a valid driver’s license. Must be flexible with scheduling and willing to work long hours during crop estimation periods and harvest. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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Equal Opportunity

Constellation Brands is committed to a continuing program of equal employment opportunity. All persons have equal employment opportunities with Constellation Brands, regardless of their sex, race, color, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics), marital status, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), familial status, military or veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions (or any other group or category within the framework of the applicable discrimination laws and regulations).