Viticulturist
- West Kelowna, BC, Canada
Full-time
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Job details
- Job type
- Full-time
- Apply by
- Experience
- Minimum of 5 years’ viticulture experience, preferably in environments managing a minimum of 100 acres over multiple sites.
- Posting language
- English
- Posted
Original job description
Location: Oliver, British Columbia, Canada
Our vineyards.
This is the only wine region on earth created first by volcanic activity and then shaped by two subsequent glacial ages. A desert in the rain shadow of the Coastal Mountains of British Columbia. Warm days, cool nights and the lowest rainfall of any wine-producing region in the world make this an optimal climate for producing wines of tremendous elegance and distinctiveness. Properties include Mission Hill Family Estate, Cedar Creek Estate Winery, Martin’s Lane Winery, Road 13 Vineyards, Checkmate Artisanal Winery, Liquidity and Red Barn. The common purpose, to produce wines that can stand alongside the best in the world.
We’ve developed exceptional vineyards over the last 40 years with distinctive clones, the oldest being from 1942. With each vintage the quality and character of these wines continue to improve as our on-site viticulture team painstakingly study and research each row to produce defined micro-blocks, each a pure expression of the soil and the unique microclimates that define the Okanagan Valley.
The opportunity.
The Viticulturist is responsible for developing and overseeing viticulture programs that optimize grape quality, yield, vine health, and sustainability across IWBC's vineyard portfolio. This technical leadership role is ideal for an experienced viticulture professional who combines strong agronomic expertise with a passion for continuous improvement, innovation, and premium wine production.
Working closely with Vineyard Operations, Winemaking, and other key stakeholders, this role leads vineyard performance monitoring, irrigation and nutrition strategies, pest and disease management programs, crop forecasting, fruit maturity assessment, and vineyard development projects. The successful candidate will provide technical direction to vineyard teams, leverage research and data-driven insights to improve vineyard performance, and support harvest decisions that ensure the production of world-class wines. From site assessment and vineyard establishment through to harvest readiness and fruit quality optimization, this role plays a critical part in shaping the long-term success of IWBC's vineyards and wine portfolio.
Accountabilities & Impact
- Develop and oversee viticulture programs that optimize grape quality, yield, vine health, and sustainability across all vineyard blocks.
- Monitor vineyard performance, including phenology, pests, diseases, soil health, plant nutrition, and irrigation, and implement targeted management programs to achieve quality and production objectives.
- Provide technical direction, recommendations, and work plans to Vineyard Operations teams, ensuring timely execution of vineyard activities and compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.
- Lead vineyard development projects from site assessment and vineyard design through planting and establishment, including varietal selection, rootstock recommendations, irrigation systems, trellis design, and plant preparation.
- Track, analyze, and continuously improve viticulture programs through data management, performance monitoring, field trials, applied research, and collaboration with industry partners.
- Partner with Vineyard Operations, Winemaking, and other key stakeholders while supporting harvest planning, fruit maturity programs, and harvest activities to ensure fruit quality objectives are achieved and contribute to world-class wine production.
- Degree or Post Graduate Diploma in Viticulture or related Agricultural Science from accredited University.
- Minimum of 5 years’ viticulture experience, preferably in environments managing a minimum of 100 acres over multiple sites.
- Proven experience in vineyard development with a hands-on approach.
- Proven knowledge in vineyard interventions including irrigation, nutrition, pruning, canopy management, and pest and disease management.
- Experience working in partnership with vineyard managers on multiple sites.
- Experience using technology for capture and reporting (e.g., GPS data collection systems).
- Valid Driver’s license and clean driving record.
Iconic Wineries of British Columbia is committed to hiring, engaging, and growing qualified, talented, and motivated team members at every level of our organization. We offer competitive compensation that recognizes individual and company performance. The typical hiring range for this position is $108,000 - $120,000 annually, complemented by a bonus plan. Base pay is determined by market location and job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and education.
As part of our Total Rewards program, we are also proud to offer:
- Monthly Employee Wine Program
- Health and dental benefits, and mental health plans with 24/7 access to a primary care physician via Lumino Health
- Paid time off
- An extensive offering of world leading learning and development programs to empower your career development – in-person and digital offerings with internationally renowned resources like Franklin Covey and Lumina.
______________________________________________________________________
At IWBC, We Exist To Unearth The Extraordinary
Our Purpose is not just a statement; it is a call to action that binds us together and ignites our passion for making a difference. It is the driving force behind why we do what we do every single day, connecting our global organization across all business units, roles, and locations.
We Are
Best in Our Craft
We set the standard with a pursuit of excellence that can be found in everything from our products and processes to our plants and people.
Ambitiously Curious
We stay curious, dreaming big and navigating the unknown with an enduring belief in better.
Made With Humility
We bring humility, authenticity, fun, and support to every collaboration and celebrate wins as a team.
Daringly Disruptive
We disrupt the status quo, moving fast to seize opportunities and acting scrappy to stay ahead of industry giants.
More about this job
Responsibilities
Develop and oversee viticulture programs across the vineyard portfolio to optimize grape quality, yield, vine health, and sustainability, including monitoring vineyard conditions and directing operational management. Lead vineyard development and applied research, analyze performance data, and collaborate with operations and winemaking teams on harvest planning and fruit quality.
Requirements
Requires a degree or postgraduate diploma in viticulture or a related agricultural science, along with at least five years of viticulture experience, preferably managing 100 or more acres across multiple sites. Candidates should have hands-on vineyard development experience, knowledge of key vineyard interventions, experience partnering with vineyard managers across sites, GPS data collection experience, and a valid driver's license with a clean record.
Skills
- Vineyard Performance Monitoring
- Irrigation Management
- Plant Nutrition
- Pest And Disease Management
- Crop Forecasting
- Fruit Maturity Assessment
- Vineyard Development
- Vineyard Design
- Varietal And Rootstock Selection
- Trellis Design
- Data Management
- GPS Data Collection
- Applied Research
- Harvest Planning
- Vineyard Operations
Benefits
- Monthly Employee Wine Program
- Health And Dental Benefits
- Mental Health Plans
- 24/7 Access To A Primary Care Physician
- Paid Time Off
- Learning And Development Programs
- Bonus Plan
Visa sponsorship
Not detected in the job text
Categories
- Agriculture
- Food & Beverage
- Environmental & Sustainability
- Science & Research
- Management & Leadership
Keywords
- Viticulture
- Vineyard Management
- Grape Quality
- Yield Optimization
- Vine Health
- Sustainability
- Phenology
- Pest Management
- Disease Management
- Soil Health
- Plant Nutrition
- Irrigation
- Vineyard Development
- Site Assessment
- Vineyard Design
- Varietal Selection
- Rootstock Selection
- Trellis Design
- GPS Data Collection
- Data Management
- Field Trials
- Applied Research
- Crop Forecasting
- Fruit Maturity
- Harvest Planning
- Winemaking
- Vineyard Operations
- Canopy Management
- Pruning
- Agricultural Science