How to Find a Job in a Winery

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

I Did This Rate: (7 Ratings)

Knowledge in the winemaking field is a plus for getting a winery job. However, some positions require only a commitment to hard work.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Printers
Red Wines
White Wines
Wine Glasses
Wine Racks
Wine Magazines
Internet Access
Postage Stamps
Envelopes
Computers
résumé paper

Before Job Hunting

Step1

Acquaint yourself with wine products and enhance your social skills.

Step2

Become a wine enthusiast. Sample various types of wine and consider taking a wine-tasting class, which may be offered at a nearby specialty wine shop.

Step3

Work toward and earn a degree in enology, chemistry, biochemistry or biology if you are truly determined to pursue a career in the wine industry. (Enology is the science of winemaking.)

Job Hunting

Step1

Prepare résumés to send to wineries and placement agencies located in the winemaking regions where you want to work.

Step2

Convey, in your cover letter, your particular interests within the field of winemaking.

Step3

Emphasize your willingness to work long hours. During harvest, a typical work week consists of 10- to 12-hour shifts, six days a week.

Step4

Send résumés in June or July for positions in production, since harvest begins around August or September.

Tips & Warnings

For those without winery experience, the best way to get into the production end of the industry is to become part of the harvest season crew. (The harvest is also referred to as "crush.") The production end includes cellar work, bottling and lab analysis. Although the position may be temporary, it is impressive to have one season under your belt, and it could lead to a permanent job.