

Assistant Winemaker
About Us
At Crow River Winery, we believe wine is more than just a beverage, it’s a way to bring people together. Located in the heart of Minnesota, we craft industry-leading wines, ciders, and cooking wines rooted in sustainable practices and our unique climate. Our mission is simple: We create community.
We are seeking an Assistant Winemaker to join our production team and work closely with our Winemaker to craft exceptional wines and ciders that reflect that best of Minnesota.
Position Summary
The Assistant Winemaker supports all aspects of production—from grape to glass. This hands-on role works alongside the Winemaker to carry out daily cellar operations, assist with fermentation, blending, bottling, lab work, and equipment maintenance. The right candidate will be eager to learn, detail-oriented, and passionate about creating quality wines and ciders while maintaining a safe and organized production environment.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to deepen their winemaking experience and grow within an innovative winery.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
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Support all phases of winemaking and cidermaking, including harvest, crushing, pressing, fermentation, racking, aging, blending, and bottling
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Perform cellar operations, cleaning, sanitation, and equipment maintenance
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Conduct and record lab tests and quality control checks
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Assist in managing inventory of wine, cider, barrels, and dry goods
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Help monitor fermentation and aging processes, including barrel topping and sampling
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Participate in harvest operations—fruit receiving, sorting, and processing
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Maintain accurate records to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations
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Support product development and blending trials under the direction of the Winemaker
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Assist with bottling and canning runs
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Support winery events, tours, and educational experiences as needed
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Contribute ideas for improving processes, efficiency, and quality
Job Requirements
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Passion for winemaking, cidermaking, and quality craftsmanship
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Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn
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Team-oriented with excellent communication skills
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Physically able to lift up to 70 lbs. and work in various weather and terrain
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Comfortable working flexible hours during harvest and production peaks (including some evenings and weekends)
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Experience with cellar operations, lab work, or beverage production preferred
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Proficient in Microsoft Office; familiarity with winery software (e.g., InnoVint) a plus
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Forklift certification or willingness to train preferred
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Valid Driver’s License required
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Degree or coursework in Enology, Fermentation Science, Food Science, or related field preferred
Why Join Us?
At Crow River Winery, we live by our core values:
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Integrity – We lead with honesty and ethics
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Drive – We show up every day ready to work hard and improve
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Innovation – We embrace change and pursue better ways of doing things
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Stewardship – We care deeply for our land, partners, and industry
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Community – We collaborate and support one another
We offer a creative, inclusive, and passionate work environment where your talents are not only appreciated—they’re essential.
Ready to Apply?
This is a full-time, salaried position. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business. The salary offered will be determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, and skills. In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plan with generous company match, and a Paid Time Off program.
Sound like a good fit for you? Apply today! Or pass this opportunity along to someone you know who would be interested.