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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vineyard Supervisor

💰 $ - $

AgricultureViticultureWinery OperationsSupervisionFarm Management

🎯 Role Definition

The Vineyard Supervisor is a critical field-level leader, acting as the essential bridge between the Vineyard Manager and the vineyard crews. This role is fundamentally about execution—translating high-level viticultural plans into precise daily action to ensure the health of the vines and the exceptional quality of the fruit. At its core, a Vineyard Supervisor is accountable for the direct oversight of all farming activities, from the quiet precision of winter pruning through the demanding intensity of harvest. This position is responsible for ensuring all tasks are completed safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards required for premium wine production. They are the on-the-ground experts who skillfully manage people, equipment, and natural resources to cultivate the grapes that form the very foundation of the final wine.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Lead Vineyard Worker / Crew Lead
  • Viticulture Technician
  • Experienced Cellar Hand with extensive vineyard exposure
  • Agricultural Crew Leader

Advancement To:

  • Assistant Vineyard Manager
  • Vineyard Manager
  • Director of Vineyard Operations

Lateral Moves:

  • Orchard Supervisor / Manager
  • Farm Operations Supervisor
  • Grower Relations Representative

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Direct, oversee, and coordinate daily work assignments for vineyard crews, ensuring critical tasks such as pruning, tying, suckering, shoot positioning, and leaf removal are executed with precision and efficiency to meet quality targets.
  • Supervise and orchestrate all logistical aspects of the grape harvest, including the management of manual picking crews and machine harvesting operations, to ensure fruit is delivered to the winery in optimal condition and on schedule.
  • Implement and closely monitor the vineyard's irrigation schedule, operating and maintaining various irrigation systems to strategically manage vine water stress according to specific viticultural goals for different blocks and varietals.
  • Execute the integrated pest management (IPM) program by diligently scouting for pests, weeds, and diseases, correctly identifying threats, and applying appropriate conventional or organic treatments as directed by the Vineyard Manager.
  • Train, mentor, and lead vineyard staff on proper viticultural techniques, safe equipment operation, and critical company safety protocols to foster a highly skilled, motivated, and secure workforce.
  • Operate a wide variety of farm equipment, including tractors, sprayers, cultivators, mowers, and harvesters, and provide clear instruction and oversight to crew members on their safe and effective use.
  • Maintain detailed, accurate, and timely records of daily crew activities, pesticide/herbicide applications (spray logs), irrigation schedules, and equipment usage for regulatory compliance, payroll, and operational analysis.
  • Collaborate closely with the Vineyard Manager to help develop and execute the annual vineyard plan, providing essential on-the-ground feedback to refine strategies for canopy management, crop load, and fruit quality.
  • Conduct regular and thorough quality control checks on all completed vineyard tasks to ensure work consistently meets the high standards required for premium and luxury wine grape production.
  • Manage the daily logistics of moving crews and equipment between different vineyard blocks or properties to maximize operational efficiency and responsiveness to changing priorities.
  • Assist in the hands-on implementation of vineyard development projects, which can include planting new vines, installing and repairing trellising systems, and setting up new irrigation infrastructure.
  • Monitor vine health and soil conditions throughout the growing season, collecting plant tissue and soil samples for laboratory analysis to inform nutrient and water management decisions.
  • Vigorously uphold and enforce all company safety policies and federal/state agricultural regulations (OSHA), conducting regular safety meetings and ensuring all staff correctly use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Perform basic preventative maintenance and field repairs on vineyard equipment and irrigation systems to minimize downtime, and promptly report significant mechanical issues to the maintenance department.
  • Assist in managing the vineyard operational budget by carefully tracking labor hours, material usage, and other operational costs, while actively identifying opportunities for improved efficiency and cost savings.
  • Coordinate and communicate effectively with winery and cellar staff during the harvest season to ensure a smooth, continuous, and orderly flow of fruit from the vineyard to the crush pad.
  • Oversee and actively participate in frost protection measures, which often requires working overnight or early morning hours to operate wind machines or sprinkler systems during critical frost events.
  • Participate in the evaluation and implementation of new viticultural technologies, tools, and techniques aimed at improving grape quality, sustainability, and vineyard efficiency.
  • Manage the specialized care and development of young vines, ensuring they receive proper training, irrigation, and protection to establish a healthy and productive future vineyard.
  • Supervise and execute key soil health initiatives, including erosion control measures and the planting and management of cover crops to promote a sustainable vineyard ecosystem.
  • Communicate clearly and consistently with the Vineyard Manager regarding daily progress, emerging challenges, crew performance, and resource needs.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in the recruitment, interviewing, and hiring process for seasonal and full-time vineyard staff.
  • Contribute to the data collection and record-keeping required for the organization's sustainability certifications (e.g., Lodi Rules, SIP Certified) and compliance reporting.
  • Serve as a point of contact and representative for the vineyard during agricultural inspections or regulatory audits.
  • Participate actively in team-wide viticultural trials and experiments, ensuring precise data collection and execution of test protocols.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Viticultural Knowledge: Deep, practical understanding of all seasonal viticultural practices, including various pruning methods, canopy management techniques, and crop load estimation and adjustment.
  • Equipment Proficiency: High level of skill in operating and performing minor maintenance on tractors and a wide range of specialized vineyard implements (e.g., sprayers, hedgers, pre-pruners, cultivators).
  • Pest & Disease Identification: Proven ability to accurately identify common vineyard pests, diseases, mildews, and nutrient deficiencies in the field.
  • Irrigation Management: Hands-on experience with the setup, operation, troubleshooting, and repair of various vineyard irrigation systems, primarily drip but also including overhead sprinklers.
  • Chemical Application & Safety: Ability to read and correctly interpret pesticide/chemical labels, and experience with calibrating spray equipment for accurate application. A Private Applicator Certificate (PAC) is often required or must be obtained.
  • Bilingual Communication: Strong verbal proficiency in both English and Spanish is highly desired for effective crew communication, training, and management.
  • Detailed Record-Keeping: Competence in maintaining clear and accurate records, including spray logs, employee time sheets, irrigation logs, and harvest data, using paper or digital tools.

Soft Skills

  • Inspirational Leadership: The ability to lead by example, motivating, directing, and managing a diverse team to achieve common goals with a positive and respectful approach.
  • Pragmatic Problem-Solving: Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, especially when responding to unexpected weather events, equipment breakdowns, or personnel challenges.
  • Clear Communication: Superior communication skills, with the ability to convey instructions, feedback, and safety information clearly to crews and report effectively to management.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: A high level of adaptability and mental flexibility to manage shifting priorities, long hours during peak seasons, and the unpredictable nature of agriculture.
  • Keen Observation: A meticulous and observant nature with a strong attention to detail, capable of spotting subtle changes in vine health or work quality.
  • Exceptional Work Ethic: A strong, self-motivated work ethic and the physical stamina to work long hours outdoors in a variety of demanding weather conditions, from heat to cold and rain.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by significant, relevant on-the-job training and experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Viticulture
  • Plant Science
  • Enology
  • Agribusiness / Agricultural Business
  • Horticulture
  • Farm Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-5 years of progressive, hands-on experience in production vineyard operations, including a minimum of 2 years in a direct supervisory or crew lead capacity.

Preferred:

  • Experience managing vineyards for premium, ultra-premium, or luxury wine programs.
  • Possession of a valid state-issued Private Applicator Certificate (PAC) or the ability to obtain one shortly after hiring.
  • Direct experience with organic, sustainable, and/or biodynamic farming practices and certification requirements.
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