Industry Job Opportunities

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WINE BUSINESS | TRADE

WINEWISE INTERNSHIP, SUMMER 2024

Company: WineWise LLC

Location: Berkeley, CA

ABOUT WINEWISE

WineWise, a dynamic California company importing European wines since 1989, is seeking an energetic, reliable intern to join our growing organization this summer. We represent an expansive range of top-quality producers across Spain, Portugal, France, Austria, Germany and Greece. Our reputation in the market is strong and our team, both on the administrative and sales side, is highly motivated.

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP

This role will expose you to the inner workings of an established California distributor. You will learn about the business of importing, distributing, and promoting wine to restaurants, hotels, and retail merchants. You will play a role in supporting active plans to refine our internal processes, which means you can contribute to the success of new outcomes. Additionally, by helping strengthen the story-telling aspect of our business, you will learn about what helps sell wine and what doesn’t (hint: being delicious isn’t enough!)

JOB DESCRIPTION

  • Take an active role in supporting WineWise LLC in various parts of the company, ranging from communication and marketing to wine data management, compliance, and inventory management.

  • Support our senior staff in upgrading supplier profiles and highlights within our wideranging portfolio.

  • Assist in streamlining the information flow between European wineries and our California sales team.

  • Learn how to manage and update a wine distributor website.

  • Attend 30-minute Monday AM team meetings.

THE IDEAL INTERN

  • You are an enthusiastic, driven, organized individual with an interest in learning more about wine and the stories behind it.

  • You have the discipline to stick to deadlines, given the telecommuting nature of the work.

  • You enjoy a diverse workload and can adapt to tasks quickly. Flexibility and focus are key.

  • You live near Berkeley. Most work can be done from home; however, weekly visits to our office mean that, ideally, you live within a reasonable driving distance, or close to the Bart system - we are a four-minute walk from Ashby station.

  • You don’t mind occasionally lifting or carrying 40lbs – the weight of a full case of wine.

  • Familiarity with any of these programs is a plus: Excel, Word, Adobe Suite, Wix.

WHAT WE OFFER

  • A challenging set of responsibilities that can evolve over time.

  • A supportive infrastructure with a warm, familial company ethos.

  • A hard-working yet fun-loving company culture. We enjoy a proper lunch as much as a proper work ethic.

  • *On-the-job wine education*- learning about a wide range of European wine varieties and regions, along with occasional tasting opportunities with company partners.

  • Exposure to a network of wine professionals, including seasoned veterans in the California industry.

HOURS & COMPENSATION

  • Salary Range: $20.00 to 25.00, hourly.

  • This internship position will begin June 2024 and run through August 2024 with a commitment of 30-40 hours per week.

  • This is a local position preferably in/near Berkeley, CA.

  • All internship applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or based on disability.


WINERY | VINEYARD | PRODUCTION

Twomey Oregon Viticulture Intern

Company: Silver Oak Winery

Location: Dundee, Oregon

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The Family of Silver Oak is a wine company dedicated to creating joyful, meaningful, and memorable moments for our customers. Silver Oak began over a handshake between two friends with a bold vision: to focus on one varietal of wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, aged exclusively in American oak and worthy of cellaring for decades to come. Founded in 1972 by Ray Twomey Duncan and Justin Meyer, today, Silver Oak has become a Family of brands which include: Silver Oak, Twomey, OVID and Timeless.

“We have yet to make our best bottle of wine.” This philosophy of constant improvement applies to everyone and everything we do, from grape to glass. We live and breathe a company culture focused on a healthy work-life balance, positive thinking, collaboration, going above and beyond, education, safety and a sense of curiosity.

We are focused on sustainability efforts and taking care of our employees. We have received recognition for having the best benefits in the industry, which includes a very rich medical plan, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts and generous 401(k) plan. We also have paid time off programs, including vacation, sick, a Day to Volunteer and sabbaticals. We have fun at work through our wellness challenges, social gatherings and company trips.

SUMMARY: This seasonal position will be based in Dundee and focused on our Willamette Valley vineyards. The viticulture intern will work closely with our Associate Winemaker to help with in-field work to further improve quality of farming practices and wine grapes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with Associate Winemaker to scout vineyards, primarily in the northern Willamette Valley

• Assist with data collection including (but not limited to), shoot length measurements, stomatal conductance, phenological dates, crop estimates, and experimental data

• Assist with sampling for tissue and soil nutritional analysis

• Assist with sampling and processing for berry maturity analysis

• Work with Associate Winemaker to manage data in AgCode and Excel data

• Complies with company policies and safety regulations. Cleans and maintains equipment in proper and safe working condition

• May operate truck, UTVs as needed

• Other duties and projects as directed by manager

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Interest in viticulture. Basic understanding, experience, or education in Viticulture and/or Enology preferred.

• Valid OR Driver’s License and clean DMV record.

• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions. Good communication skills.

• Must be able to work in variable weather conditions.

• Must be flexible with schedule; will be required to begin work during early morning hours or Saturdays occasionally throughout season and harvest as needed.

• Curious, passionate, enthusiastic, focused, creative, and have a positive outlook.

• Able to work both in a team and independently.

• Computer literacy required.

• Commitment to maintaining and increasing safety standards as a high priority in the vineyard and workplace.

• Ability to perform the physical labor necessary.

• Commitment to excellence and high standards.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to do the following:

• Walk, kneel, bend, and stand for extended periods of time, frequently on uneven or steep terrain

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is mainly performed in a vineyard. The individual may come in contact with vines that have been treated with pesticides and fungicides in accordance with all local state and federal regulations.

• Noise levels can be moderate to loud.

• Exposed to outdoor elements; daytime temperatures can range from freezing to hot.

• Hazards: Occasionally works near moving machinery parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and toxic or caustic chemicals.

Silver Oak & Twomey Cellars has a mandatory vaccination policy, which requires all of our employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have a medical or religious exemption approved by the company.

The above reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

“Sé templado en el beber, considerando que el vino demasiado ni guarda secreto ni cumple palabra”

— Miguel de Cervantes (España)