Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Vineyard Manager

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a hands-on leader with a passion for viticulture and a deep understanding of what it takes to grow exceptional wine grapes? This role requires a dedicated and experienced Vineyard Manager to oversee all aspects of our vineyard operations. In this critical role, you will be the primary steward of our land, responsible for implementing cutting-edge viticultural practices to maximize fruit quality, yield, and vineyard health. You will manage budgets, lead a skilled team, and collaborate closely with our winemaking staff to ensure the grapes we harvest perfectly express our unique terroir and align with our stylistic goals. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact on every bottle of wine we produce, from the soil to the cellar.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Assistant Vineyard Manager
Viticulturist or PCA (Pest Control Advisor)
Experienced Vineyard Supervisor / Foreman
Agricultural Operations Manager

Advancement To:

Director of Viticulture / Director of Vineyard Operations
General Manager (Winery)
Grower Relations Manager
Vineyard Consultant

Lateral Moves:

Orchard Manager
Crop Production Manager
Agricultural Research Scientist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop and execute a comprehensive annual vineyard management plan, including budgeting, crop forecasting, and capital expenditure planning to achieve quality and financial targets.
Direct and oversee all day-to-day viticultural activities, including pruning, canopy management, shoot thinning, fruit dropping, and suckering to optimize vine balance and fruit quality.
Manage all aspects of vineyard floor management, including cover crop selection and implementation, cultivation, and weed control using mechanical and chemical methods.
Design and implement sophisticated irrigation strategies, utilizing soil moisture monitoring systems and weather data to apply water efficiently and manage vine stress for optimal grape development.
Lead the development and execution of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, including scouting, monitoring, and applying fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides in a safe, effective, and environmentally conscious manner.
Oversee and manage the vineyard nutrition program, conducting regular soil and tissue analysis to create and apply custom fertilizer and compost applications that ensure vine health and longevity.
Plan, coordinate, and execute all harvest activities, including scheduling picking crews, coordinating grape transportation, and communicating with the winemaking team to ensure fruit is picked at peak ripeness.
Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor all vineyard staff, including full-time employees and seasonal labor, fostering a culture of safety, quality, and high performance.
Ensure strict compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including worker safety (WPS), pesticide reporting, water rights, and other agricultural standards.
Manage the maintenance, repair, and replacement schedule for all farm equipment, vehicles, and vineyard infrastructure, such as trellising and irrigation systems.
Maintain meticulous records of all vineyard activities, including spray applications, labor hours, crop yields, and cultural practices for analysis and compliance purposes.
Proactively identify and address viticultural challenges, including disease pressure, pest outbreaks, and abiotic stresses, by implementing timely and effective solutions.
Drive vineyard development and redevelopment projects, from site selection and preparation to varietal/clone selection, planting, and establishing young vines.
Collaborate intimately with the Winemaker to align vineyard practices with wine quality goals, participating in vineyard block selection and pre-harvest sampling.
Evaluate and implement new technologies, such as precision viticulture tools, mechanization, and data management software, to improve efficiency and decision-making.
Manage relationships and contracts with external vendors, third-party labor contractors, and neighboring properties to ensure smooth and cooperative operations.
Prepare and present regular reports on vineyard performance, budget variance, and operational progress to senior management and ownership.
Champion and enforce a robust safety program, ensuring all team members are trained on equipment operation, chemical handling, and emergency procedures.
Monitor and interpret weather data to make proactive decisions regarding frost protection, irrigation scheduling, and disease prevention.
Conduct experimental trials on new rootstocks, clones, trellising systems, or farming techniques to drive continuous improvement and innovation within the vineyards.

Secondary Functions

Collaborate with the Winemaking team to align vineyard practices and harvest timing with desired wine style and quality goals.
Represent the company at industry conferences, grower meetings, and community events to build relationships and stay current on viticultural trends.
Assist the hospitality and marketing teams by leading vineyard tours and providing content related to our farming practices and terroir.
Participate in strategic planning sessions for the broader company, providing insight into long-term vineyard viability and potential.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced Viticulture Knowledge: Deep expertise in canopy management, pruning theory, vine physiology, and nutrition.
Irrigation Management: Proficient in scheduling, system maintenance, and using monitoring tools (e.g., pressure bombs, soil moisture probes).
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Strong background in identifying pests and diseases and implementing effective, sustainable control strategies.
Farm Equipment Operation & Maintenance: Hands-on ability to operate and perform basic maintenance on tractors, sprayers, harvesters, and other vineyard machinery.
Budgeting & Financial Acumen: Experience creating, managing, and reporting on complex operational and capital budgets.
Regulatory Compliance: Thorough understanding of worker protection standards (WPS), pesticide use reporting, and other agricultural regulations.
Bilingual Communication (English/Spanish): Fluency or strong proficiency is highly desired for effectively managing vineyard crews.
Data Management & Analysis: Competency in using vineyard software (e.g., AgCode, Ap-Recs) and Microsoft Excel for record-keeping and analysis.
Harvest Logistics: Proven ability to plan and execute a fast-paced, complex harvest, coordinating crews, equipment, and winery deliveries.
Soil Science: Solid understanding of soil chemistry, biology, and the impact of amendments and cover crops on vine health.

Soft Skills

Leadership & Team Management: Ability to hire, train, motivate, and lead a diverse team to achieve high standards of quality and safety.
Problem-Solving: Proactive and decisive in identifying issues and implementing practical, effective solutions in a dynamic environment.
Strategic Planning & Organization: Excellent ability to plan seasons in advance, manage multiple priorities, and maintain meticulous records.
Communication & Collaboration: Superior communication skills for interacting with ownership, winemakers, and vineyard crews.
Adaptability & Resilience: Ability to adapt to changing weather conditions, unforeseen viticultural challenges, and shifting priorities.
Attention to Detail: A meticulous eye for detail in all aspects of vineyard work, from vine health to data entry.
Work Ethic: A strong, self-motivated work ethic with a willingness to work long hours, especially during critical seasons like harvest and frost season.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and significant hands-on experience.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Viticulture, Enology, Plant Science, or a related agricultural field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Viticulture
Plant Science
Horticulture
Agricultural Business
Soil Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-10+ years of progressive experience in production viticulture, with at least 3-5 years in a supervisory or management capacity.

Preferred:

Experience managing vineyards for premium or luxury wine programs.
Proven track record in organic, biodynamic, or other sustainable farming certifications.
Direct experience with vineyard redevelopment, including layout, infrastructure, and planting.
Strong mechanical aptitude and experience with a wide range of modern vineyard equipment.