Assist enology and viticulture instructors with day-to-day operation of winery and vineyard.

Full-time, 12-month

Viticulture/Enology Technician will be responsible for day-to-day operations and routine tasks of campus winery and vineyard to include:

• Maintain vineyard to include: plan vineyard layout, prepare and fertilize soil, plant and remove vines, monitor irrigation system, adjust trellis system, stake vines for support, prune vines, apply pest management strategies, choose vines to be used as trunks and train to the trellis wire.
• Perform all analysis of wines and musts accurately and on a timely basis. Record results during harvest, fermentation, finishing, storage, and packaging. Analysis will include and may not be limited to: titratable acidity, volatile acidity, residual sugar, alcohol %, and free and total SO2.
• Use, maintain, and calibrate all viticulture equipment.
• Clean and maintain to sanitary conditions in entire winery space (laboratory, storage space, barrel room, crush pad, storage cabinets, sensory room) and on all equipment: glassware, filters, pumps, press, crusher-destemmer, pallet jack, ladder platform using the technique, cleaning agents, and tools as directed by enology instructor.
• Maintain all regulatory compliance records as requested by viticulture and enology instructors.
• Monitor fermentation and manage storage conditions of winery environment and fermenting/stored wines as required during evening hours and on weekends as directed by enology instructor.
• Assist with vineyard operations: aid instructor with disease management by scouting and monitoring, spray and maintain records for compliance with NCDA and OSHA, mow grass, monitor vineyard nutrition and fertilize when necessary, maintain cover crops and vineyard floor, apply and remove bird netting, perform canopy management; shoot positioning; leaf thinning; cluster thinning, hedge vines, estimate crop yield, harvest fruit.
• Operate and ensure the safe operation of the following equipment as needed: pumps, hoses/connectors, filters (pad, diatomaceous earth, sterile), crusher-destemmer, bladder press, bottled gas dispensers, pressure/steam washer, pallet jack, forklift (training and certification may be provided), labeler, capsule applicator, bottling line and all laboratory instruments.
• Demonstrate safe working habits at all times in the winery, around vineyard equipment, and when handling caustic chemicals.
• Assist with bottling, harvest, and wine festivals, which include evening and weekend work.
• Assist in the distribution of wine to retail outlets as needed.

See complete job description at https://jobs.surry.edu/postings/10397.