Lab Technician I

SUMMARY:

Reports directly to the Associate Winemaker. This position is ideal for individuals looking to build a strong foundation in winery laboratory operations and gain hands-on experience in the winemaking process. The Lab Technician I is responsible for maintaining the highest work and quality standards while supporting laboratory operations under direct supervision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Laboratory Operations:

• Work under direct supervision to perform and ensure basic lab analyses, data entry, and reporting are accurate and meet quality standards.
• Assist in executing the schedule of analyses related to the winemaking cycle, including harvest and bottling line quality control.
• Conduct routine analyses such as pH, TA, Brix, and nutritional assessments on grapes, juice, and must samples.
• Perform analysis of bottling tanks, bottled wine, and wines in storage.

Sample Collection & Quality Control:

• Collect and prepare wine or must samples from tanks or barrels for analysis and tastings.
• Assist with bottling quality control, ensuring accurate documentation and reporting of results.
• Accurately interpret analytical results, recognize out-of-range values, and take appropriate action, including reanalysis and communication with the winemaking team.
• Maintain records and reports of analyses daily.

Equipment Maintenance & Safety:

• Operate and maintain lab equipment, including auto-titrator, enzymatic analyzer, pH meter, DMA, turbidimeter, and DO meter.
• Perform daily calibrations, troubleshooting, and basic maintenance of lab equipment under supervision.
• Follow lab safety protocols and assist with keeping the SDS binder organized and up to date.

Collaboration & Reporting:

• Enter data into spreadsheets and the winemaking database.
• Prepare chemical reagents, including acids, bases, and buffers, following provided instructions.
• Perform other duties assigned by the manager.

Harvest Operations:

• Commit to extended hours and weekend work during the harvest season, providing critical support to lab and production teams.

• Willingness to work long and irregular hours during peak harvest season.
• Bachelors degree in chemistry, Biology, or a related field; coursework in enology or familiarity with winemaking is a plus.
• One or more harvest of experience in a winery laboratory, including hands-on use of chemistry analyzers.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Detail-oriented with excellent recordkeeping and organizational skills.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel); familiarity with winery databases such as InnoVint is a plus.
• Valid California drivers license and clean DMV record.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Able to walk, kneel, bend, and stand.
• Able to see, taste and smell.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• A percentage of work time may be spent in a wine warehouse or cellar where temperatures are cool and noise level is usually moderate.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Among others, benefits include Health Insurance (Medical, Dental and Vision), paid vacation, paid volunteer work, 401K, and discounts on wines.
• Actual compensation paid within the range will be determined by factors such as the education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

About HALL Family Wines:

• HALL, WALT and BACA produce critically acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignons, Pinot Noirs and Zinfandels that stand among the best in the world. We are deeply committed to the production of exceptional wines that are reflections of the land from which the grapes are grown. We are proud leaders in sustainability, having built the first LEED Gold winery in California, in addition to our 11 certified sustainable (CCWA) Estate vineyards.
• At HALL Family Wines, we strive to do the right thing, to follow responsible business practices and to give back to our communities. We believe in the philosophy of leaving the world better than we found it, a philosophy we have been putting into action for 50 years, both in business and through our family Foundation, established in 1977.
• Hall Wines is an equal employment opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, veteran or disability status.

If values and community responsibility are important factors for you in choosing a place to work, if you enjoy working in an environment that prizes creativity, and if you hold yourself to a high standard of excellence in your job performance, this position may be a good fit for you.