Cellar Assistant

Job Description:

Veritas Winery in Afton, Virginia is looking to hire a cellar assistant with a flexible start date. Veritas is a family run 20,000 case winery situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains just West of Charlottesville, Virginia. Veritas is part of the Monticello AVA and is a 100 acre estate with more than 50 acres of primarily Bordeaux vinifera, all planted beginning in 1999.

This position reports directly to the winemaker and works closely with the entire production team members to support daily winemaking operations.

This role is integral in all winery operations, requiring a strong balance of efficiency, precision, and care. The right person for this role will bring strong cellar experience, good judgment, and a strong mindset. This individual can work independently on complex cellar tasks, contribute reliably during harvest, and take pride in the products we produce. This is a hands-on role for someone who respects the craft, values precision, and understands how to execute well across both large-scale production demands and premium winemaking programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Harvest and Crush
• Receive and sort incoming fruit
• Operate and maintain crush, destemming, and press equipment safely and effectively
• Follow cap management protocols
• Maintain accurate records and interpret cellar work orders
• Work extended hours including weekends during harvest

General Cellar Operations
• Contribute to the general cleanliness of the wine cellar
• Complete rackings, blendings, filtrations, and other wine movements as needed
• Maintain a safe cellar environment including operating forklifts and other large machinery
• Identify equipment or maintenance issues and communicate them promptly to the winemaker
• Perform barrel cleaning, sulfur treatments, and maintenance
• Perform wine additions at various stages in the winemaking process
• Assist the winemaking team with barrel evaluations, selections, and flaws
• Follow all safety procedures, including chemical handling, PPE, and confined space protocols

Qualifications
• 2+ years of cellar, winery production, or closely related beverage manufacturing experience preferred
• At least one full harvest cycle in a hands-on cellar role
• Working knowledge of standard cellar equipment and wine production
• Ability to operate forklifts or willingness and ability to become forklift certified
• Strong understanding of sanitation standards, cellar safety, and quality expectations
• Ability to work autonomously, while also contributing positively as part of a team
• Candidates should have a passion for wine and desire to learn more about high end wine

Physical Requirements
• Ability to lift and carry 50+ pounds
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and work on your feet for extended periods
• Ability to work in varying temperatures, including cold and hot environments
• Ability to work extended shifts, early mornings, evenings, and weekends during harvest

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