Harvest Cellar Intern
Position Summary:
Join our winemaking team for harvest at Raymond Vineyards in the heart of Napa Valley. As a Harvest Cellar Intern, you will gain hands-on experience in premium wine production while working alongside our Winemakers and Cellar Master. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals pursuing a career in winemaking, viticulture, or production operations.
Key Responsibilities
Harvest & Crush Operations
- Operate crush pad equipment (crusher/destemmer, presses, pumps)
- Function as weighmaster at grape scale
- Monitor sorting table and grape processing
- Empty bins and gondolas
- Retrieve tank samples as needed
- Move dumpsters and production equipment
Fermentation & Aging
- Transfer juice/must to fermentation tanks
- Perform pump-overs, punch-downs, racking, and draining
- Monitor fermentation progress and temperature control
- Assist with filtering, fining, and stabilizing
- Prepare tanks for pressing
Barrel Program
- Wash, sulfur, fill, top, and maintain barrels
- Track barrel inventory
- Move and receive new barrels
- Assist with barrel maintenance and disposal
General Cellar Duties
- Sanitation and cleaning of tanks, equipment, and work areas
- Monitor cellar supplies and equipment
- Follow all safety policies and procedures
- Support winemaking team with additional tasks as needed
Qualifications Required:
- High School Diploma or GED (or equivalent experience)
- Ability to speak and understand basic English
- Basic math skills (weights, volumes, measurements)
- Valid driver’s license (may be required)
- Ability to work long hours, weekends, and overtime during harvest
Preferred:
- Previous winery, cellar, or production experience
- Intermediate computer skills (email, spreadsheets)
- Experience with winery or wine club management software
Physical Requirements
- Lift up to 50 lbs independently; up to 100 lbs with assistance
- Frequent standing, walking, climbing, bending, squatting
- Comfortable working in wet, noisy, and fast-paced environments
- Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions
- Exposure to machinery, chemicals, and production equipment (PPE provided)
Work Environment
- Indoor and outdoor winery environment
- Variable temperatures and weather conditions
- Moderate to high noise levels
- Exposure to cleaning agents and winemaking materials
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