Viticulturist

About Dominus Estate

Dominus Estate is a luxury estate winery based in Yountville, California. Founded by Christian Moueix, the company is committed to adaptive viticulture, embracing sustainability and dry farming techniques to produce balanced vines producing complex wines.

About the Position: The Viticulturist plays a key role in ensuring exceptional quality of vineyard operations and, ultimately, the grapes produced for high-quality wine.

This individual will foster strong cross-functional relationships with the Vineyard Foreman, Assistant Vineyard Foreman, Mechanic, Lab Manager, and other key team members, while leading a dedicated team of vineyard monitors and interns.

Core Responsibilities:

• Vineyard Operations and Quality Control: Maintain a daily presence in the vineyard to ensure operations meet the highest standards for grape production.
• Collaborate Closely: Work closely with the Vineyard Foreman to clarify instructions, monitor execution, and verify that all tasks, from pruning to harvest, are performed with precision.
• Data-Driven Insights: Conduct in-depth checks through counts and measurements (e.g., bud numbers, crop loads), providing detailed reports to the Vineyard Director and vineyard management team.
• Continuous Improvement: Continuously assess vineyard practices and propose new methods to improve vine health, fruit quality, and operational efficiency.
• Training and Development: Lead training for vineyard workers on techniques that enhance grape quality, vine sustainability, and the importance of safety protocols in all vineyard tasks.
• Vineyard Monitoring and Data Collection:
• Sentinel and GPS Technology: Oversee the comprehensive monitoring of vineyard conditions, acting as the principal resource for real-time insights into vine health, pest activity, and disease threats.
• Advanced Monitoring Techniques: Implement advanced monitoring techniques to track vine nutrition, hydration, stress, and disease levels, ensuring rapid identification and resolution of potential issues.
• Data Collection Protocols: Develop and refine data collection protocols, integrating the latest technology (Sentinel, GPS) to create detailed disease and environmental stress maps.
• Team Collaboration: Work with a team of vineyard employees to conduct regular scouting and ensure consistent, high-quality monitoring, analyzing results to optimize vineyard management strategies.
• Sustainability and Innovation:
• Dry Farming Practices: Drive sustainability initiatives that align with long-term vine health and production goals, including dry farming practices, and water conservation techniques.
• New Technologies: Research and implement new technologies and AI applications to improve vineyard efficiency, grape quality, and environmental impact.
• Innovative Solutions: Champion innovative solutions for managing rising temperatures, reducing pesticide usage, and enhancing vineyard biodiversity.
• Equipment Optimization: Collaborate with the Vineyard Director to identify and test new equipment, ensuring all tools contribute to maintaining the high standards of grape quality and sustainability.
• Team Leadership and Collaboration:
• Foster Collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment across teams, ensuring smooth coordination between the vineyard team, lab, and mechanical staff.
• Mentorship and Oversight: Lead the training and development of vineyard team captains, interns, and full-time vineyard monitors, providing mentorship and oversight to maintain operational excellence.
• Crew Management: Work with the Assistant Vineyard Foreman to manage and optimize the performance of vineyard crews, ensuring a cohesive and motivated team.
• Safety and Compliance:
• Safety Protocols: Ensure the implementation and enforcement of safety protocols across all vineyard operations, with a specific focus on pesticide application, equipment handling, and labor safety standards.
• Pesticide Management: Maintain thorough records of pesticide applications, ensuring full compliance with local and federal regulations.
• Safety Training: Conduct regular safety trainings for the vineyard team and lead by example in prioritizing a safe working environment for all staff.
• Regular Audits: Regularly audit vineyard operations to ensure they meet both quality and safety standards and address any discrepancies swiftly.
• Research and Reporting:
• Research Projects: Lead research projects aimed at improving disease control, vine health, and overall vineyard sustainability, using data-driven methods and innovative technologies.
• Reporting: Produce detailed reports on vineyard performance, highlighting areas of success and opportunities for improvement, and communicate findings to the Vineyard Director and key stakeholders.
• Industry Trends: Stay abreast of the latest industry trends, research, and best practices, applying new knowledge to continually improve the quality and sustainability of vineyard operations.

Qualifications and Profile:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Viticulture, Agriculture, Plant Science or related discipline.
• Experience: 5 years of hands-on experience in vineyard management, with a strong emphasis on quality control, data-driven monitoring, and sustainability practices.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with vineyard technology such as Sentinel, GPS, and AI-driven tools for data collection and analysis.
• Leadership: Proven experience in team management and collaboration across departments.
• Innovation and Sustainability: Demonstrated experience in implementing cutting-edge viticultural practices to improve vine health, reduce environmental impact, and enhance fruit quality.
• Attention to Detail: Strong organizational and reporting skills, with the ability to track and manage multiple projects and vineyard tasks simultaneously.
• Safety-Conscious: In-depth understanding of vineyard safety regulations and best practices, particularly regarding pesticide use and labor safety.
• Language: Fluency in English and Spanish required.
• Desirable Attributes:
• Experience working in vineyards known for producing high-quality, premium wines.
• A passion for sustainability and innovation in agriculture, with a forward-thinking mindset that aligns with the winery's values.

Compensation and Benefits:

• This is a full-time, salaried position.
• Salary range is $70,000 to $90,000, dependent on experience and may be subject to change to meet needs of the search.
• Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Additional benefits include 401(K) with employer match, HSA, PTO, holiday pay, and discretionary bonus program.

Salary : $70,000 - $90,000