SUMMARY
The full-time Lab Technician performs routine analysis of grapes, juice, wine, water, and other related material pertaining to the operation of the Winery. Maintains and manages daily wine analysis records and spreadsheets.  Performs bottling QC checks, and assists cellar in preparing wine for bottling. Trains interns and other staff when required. Sets up wine trials as needed by winemaking. Maintains a professional attitude and adheres to Cline operating procedures and safety practices at all times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
General Laboratory:
Perform all lab analyses in a timely manner, including analysis for routine barrel and tank work, bottling, and other cellar samples.  Routine chemical analyses: free and total sulfur, pH/TA with autotitrator, alcohol determination with alcolyzer, DO, CO2, turbidity, and enzymatic analysis for acetic acid, glucose/fructose, malic acid with Admeo analyzer.
Timely and accurate data entry into logbooks, Excel spreadsheets, and NAV database
Timely communication of key analysis to the Winemaking Team, especially results indicating potential quality issues
Write and issue routine sulfur addition work orders to maintain wine quality
Perform daily lab instrumentation start-up and shut-down, updating daily records of equipment calibration and standardization. Report equipment problems to supervisor
Routine tank and barrel sampling for wine monitoring and monthly analysis
Composite barrel sampling for winemaker tastings and blending trials
Create wine blends and additive trials for winemaking team as needed
Run heat and cold stability trials in preparation for bottling
Prepare and standardize lab solutions
Maintain a clean and safe work environment
Use appropriate PPE and follow safety rules; report any unsafe conditions immediately
Perform other tasks or analysis as required by the Enologist
Perform barrel filling and emptying, barrel topping, cleaning and sanitizing cellar equipment, tanks, or barrels as needed
Make routine and basic additions to wine tanks as needed: KMBS, ML culture, etc.

Harvest:
Perform analysis on grape samples, including Brix, TA, and pH
Crush vineyard grape samples for analysis and maintain a clean setup; communicate grape analysis to Winemakers
Monitor fermentations daily with Brix and temperature checks, as well as sensory analysis
Assist with harvest cellar tasks as needed, including bin washing and making additions to fermentations
Weekend and overtime work required during the harvest season

Bottling:
Assures the bottling tank matches winemaking specifications each morning on bottling days: sulfur targets, dissolved oxygen (DO), and CO2 levels
Perform bottling QC checks; including line startup, bottle capacity, in-bottle DO and CO2, verify corks and screwcaps are applied correctly and effectively, analysis of wine in-bottle, label and packaging checks
Assist with bottling tasks on the line if needed, including emptying glass onto bottling line, carrying out QC inspection of wine bottles, packing finished goods into cases, and stacking finished goods

QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
Bachelor’s or Associates degree in Chemistry, Fermentation Science, Enology, or equivalent
Previous harvest experience
Advanced English communication skills, including reading and writing
Verbal Spanish communication a plus
Strong math and analytical skills, willingness to learn wine chemistry
Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel
Experience with Microsoft Navision (NAV) a plus
Self-motivation, attention to detail, willingness to ask questions, and the ability to multitask and reprioritize activities in a rapidly changing environment
Demonstrate dependability, integrity, and flexibility
Commitment to accuracy, organization, open communication, and safety

Physical Demands
Ability to intermittently lift and/or carry 0-50 lbs.
Ability to intermittently push and/or pull 0-50 lbs.
Ability to work in an environment that can fluctuate between cold and hot and is noisy
Intermittent sitting and standing, walking on level surfaces and intermittent walking on unlevel surfaces
Intermittent bending, twisting, and climbing
Intermittent reaching above and below shoulder
Intermittent grasping, squeezing, and fine hand manipulation

BENEFITS and PERKS:
Medical, Dental, Vision
Life Insurance
FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts)
401k Matching
PTO (Paid-Time-Off)
Paid holidays
Employee Company Discounts

Pay Range: $20 - $24/hour 
*Please note that actual pay may vary within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, professional achievement, business need, and location.

Cline Family Cellars provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES
Please note that we do not accept unsolicited phone calls, emails, or resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Services Agreement, we will not consider, or agree to, payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event that a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, we explicitly reserve the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.