Coonawarra Jack Winery, is one of the largest contract grape processing facilities within the premium grape growing region of Coonawarra, South Australia. We offer contract services such as grape processing, winemaking and storage to a diverse range of clients, as well as creating our very own award-winning Jack Estate wines.

We provide services for local, interstate and international clients looking to produce wine of the highest quality at a facility they can count on. At Coonawarra Jack Winery you will be exposed to it all - from small batch premium processing to large scale bulk operations. Additionally, the wine or juice isn't just despatched in a tanker - it may be despatched in a 200L drum, a barrel or an export container too...no day will be the same. Grapes processed vary in region, variety, winemaking style, clients requirements and much more.

We currently have an opportunity for a Winemaker to join our winemaking team and truly make the role their own. The successful applicant will be self-motivated, passionate and driven about all aspects of winemaking with strong leadership skills. The primary purpose of the role is to effectively manage the cellar / production / vintage operations at Coonawarra Jack Winery, in a team orientated manner to achieve our goals.

Key tasks of the role include:
- Maintaining Vintrace winery management system and winery documentation of cellar operations on a daily basis
- Develop and monitor daily work programs, including vintage crushing as discussed and agreed with the winemaking team
- Consult with contract winemaking clients in relation to managing their grapes/wine in accordance with contracts including:
- Ongoing development of CJW's customer portfolio
- Potentially offering consulting winemaking services
- Manage grapes and wines to specifications generated jointly with customer
- Co-ordinate and control the production of wine to ensure volume and quality specifications are met
- Organising operations, samples and action / respond to any other matters promptly
- Preparation and maintenance of wines from fruit receival to final blending including:
- Maintenance of product information and wines within technical specification
- Timetabling of analysis and operations to specifications
- Response to analysis to achieve specification
- Pre-receival and receival of grapes / wines
- Juice / fermented wine production
- Transfers / blends / maturation / dispatch
- Manage stock levels of additives and order when required
- Liaising with brokers and prepare samples to initiate bulk wine sales
- Ensure laboratory analysis is accurate and meets all statutory requirements, maintaining ongoing monitoring and making adjustments to wines as needed
- Potentially acting as a backup within the laboratory when laboratory staff are on leave
- Complete paperwork for export, clients, interstate grape receival, etc
- Undertake audits with regulatory bodies as required
- Proactively participate in sales/marketing/professional opportunities for the wine brand and company as a whole including cellar door events, trade shows and any other requested instances
- Participate in performance reviews - both for yourself and other colleagues
- Assist with the compliance and development of regulatory systems, such as food safety, HACCP and Sustainability
- Involvement in the production of Jack Estate's bottled range such as sourcing fruit, making wine, bottling and producing tasting notes

Reporting to Management the successful candidate for this role will possess the following qualities:
- Tertiary qualifications in oenology, winemaking or a related science
- Current drivers licence
- At least 3 (ideally 3-5) vintages in a similar or slightly less senior role
- Would be advantageous to have worked in a small winery (<1,000T crush) and a larger winery (>10,000T crush)
- Must be flexible to work the required hours, which involves extended hours and weekend work during vintage
- Ability to plan, organise and work under pressure
- Ability to calmly navigate situations including changing deadlines and priorities
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Provide leadership and assist in fostering a great workplace culture
- Experience in the use of Vintrace software is preferable
- Good working knowledge of computers and Microsoft office suite
- Hands-on vintage, cellar and laboratory work experience
- Actively support a safe work environment with an understanding of WHS policies and promote, and assist with quality driven work practices
- Attention to detail and excellent problem solving skills
- Ensuring control standards are met in compliance with relevant legislation, quality and management systems
- Have a passion for wine, with a strong technical understanding of all key aspects of winemaking procedures and
production workflow
- An understanding and proficiency of winery plant/equipment, procedures and systems
- Willing to contribute to and identify improvements, and ensure changes occur when needed to solidify such improvement
- Assist in the training and development of personnel

Applications are requested to be submitted as soon as possible whereby applicants may be assessed on receipt.
Applications will officially close 19th May 2023 with the applicant required to start as soon as circumstances permit.

Further enquiries can be directed to applications@coonawarrajack.com

Please forward your application and CV including two professional referees, and to be marked Confidential, addressed to:
Human Resources
Winemaker
Coonawarra Jack Winery
PO Box 322, Coonawarra, SA, 5263

Or via email to applications@coonawarrajack.com

Applicants must have Australian citizenship/residency or a valid Australian work permit.