About the role#
As a Winemaking Intern, you will work under the supervision of the Winemaker to support wine quality from grape to finished product. This role provides hands-on experience by shadowing different facility departments, including the cellar, compliance, and the analytical lab. You will develop leadership skills while gaining a practical understanding of winemaking practices and processes.
What you'll do#
- Shadow various roles to learn facility operations and processes.
- Learn lab procedures, identify wine specifications for different varietals, and pull tank samples.
- Participate in facility sanitation to learn the basics before the season starts.
- Supervise grape processing during crush, including routing trucks from the test stand to the correct tanks.
- Manage additions and circulations, and ensure tanks are drained or pressed according to winemaking directions.
- Conduct daily fermenter tastings and perform tank walks twice per day.
- Document production scale winemaking trials and participate in benchtop trials such as fining and blending.
- Write and assist in closing work orders under the guidance of the Winemaker.
- Learn the function and operation of cellar equipment by working with operators.
- Provide status reports upon the completion of major tasks.
What you'll need#
- Must be 21 years or older.
- Enrolled in or a recent graduate of an undergraduate program in Viticulture and Enology, with Junior level coursework or higher.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Ability to commit to at least six months of full-time work.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and general computer aptitude.
- Strong attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and the ability to determine root causes.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and adapt to changing needs.
- Reliability, punctuality, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Adherence to all safety regulations and operating procedures.
- Ability to perform physical tasks like bending, stooping, and standing, and lift up to 50 pounds.
Location & details#
- Location: Fresno, California.
- Work Modality: On-site.
- Employment: Full-time, paid internship.
- Term: Rolling.
About The Wine Group
The Wine Group is a beverage manufacturer based in Ripon, California. Founded in 1981, the company produces wine and alcoholic beverages across more than 125 brands. It maintains operations in California, New York, and Australia. The company employs over 1,000 people and utilizes sustainable production practices.
How to get in at The Wine Group
Applying early to The Wine Group gives you a distinct advantage because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, so you can submit your materials before the applicant pool grows large. This helps you avoid the common frustration of being lost in a massive queue of late submissions. You can also reach out to the recruiters behind these roles to ask about the position or a referral. Intern Insider surfaces the specific people managing The Wine Group hiring process, which allows you to move beyond the automated portal and connect directly with the team. This personal approach often improves your response rates significantly compared to standard applications.
