Assistant Winemaker Leesburg, VA

Job Description:

Founded in 2009, Stone Tower Winery is a family‑owned and operated vineyard and winery located on over 400 acres in Leesburg, VA. Dedicated to crafting world‑class wines from our estate vineyards, we currently have 95 acres of vineyards under the care of our seasoned vineyard team and produce 15–20k cases annually of premium white, red, and sparkling wines with a focus on French varietals and Bordeaux‑style blends.

There are two production facilities located on‑site – one dedicated to red wines, the other to whites & sparkling – both equipped with top‑tier equipment including a newly installed bottling line.

We’re seeking a motivated, focused, and enthusiastic individual to join our team in the role of Assistant Winemaker. This role involves administrative, laboratory, and cellar work, with opportunities to engage in all aspects of winemaking. The right candidate is looking for a hands‑on role in a dynamic, team‑oriented environment dedicated to the pursuit of high‑quality estate‑grown wines.

• Assist winemaker in helping to manage, undertake and record pre‑harvest vineyard sampling, harvest operations, wine ingredient additions, yeast inoculations, fermentation, analyzing, blending, filtering, barrel topping, lab‑analysis, and bottling activities.
• Support vineyard operations including record keeping, grape quality assessment, and fruit ripening.
• Assist and support winemaker with all production and QC analysis for accuracy and potential wine quality issues.
• Oversee and administer all laboratory analysis and operations; order and maintain all lab supplies and equipment; maintain a clean and orderly laboratory space.
• Carry out general cellar operations during non‑harvest time including topping, stirring, racking and filling barrels, filtration, bottling prep and basic winery sanitation.
• Perform detailed record keeping including all lab results, wine database system (Vintrace), quarterly TTB reporting, SDS of all winery chemicals, OSHA and all other legal compliance requirements.
• Assist with all harvest operations including receiving and processing fruit, performing yeast inoculation, nutrient additions, fermentation monitoring, sample collection, and any other tasks as assigned.
• Ensure Bottling QC: tank preparation according to winemaker’s specification, packaging evaluation, fill heights, cork moisture, vacuum test, DO.
• Help ensure that all staff complies with relevant safety requirements and to help comply with OSHA regulatory requirements. Assist winemaker in the development of a safety plan and policy to address daily work activities, training of part‑time winery workers and visitors to the winery.
• Direct, supervise, and assist production staff in performing sampling, additions, inoculations, and any other production and cellar work tasks as necessary.
• Develop and maintain relationships within all departments by engaging with colleagues with respect and teamwork.

• Bachelor’s degree in Enology, Fermentation Science, Chemistry, or a related field preferred; associate degree considered with sufficient experience.
• 2+ years of experience in a winery lab or similar setting.
• Strong knowledge of winemaking processes, techniques, and sensory analysis.
• Proficiency in database management (e.g., Vintrace), Excel, and other software tools.
• Strong organizational, problem‑solving, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage priorities and adapt to shifting demands.
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Forklift and pallet‑jack certification (training provided if necessary).
• Able to lift and move 50 pounds, repetitively.
• Able and willing to climb and utilize stairs, catwalks and ladders safely.
• Able to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, as needed during harvest season.