Harvest Assistant Winemaker

Harvest Assistant Winemaker – Chardonnay & Bordeaux Programs  

• Location: West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

• Start Date: August 1, 2026 (Flexible)  

• End Date: December 31, 2026

About the Role & Mission Hill Family Estate 

At Mission Hill Family Estate, we are proud of our roots in West Kelowna and our role as a leader in the Canadian wine, culinary, and tourism industries. However, we know that true quality relies on hard work, meticulous attention to detail, and a team that genuinely cares about the craft and each other. We are looking for a grounded, focused Harvest Assistant Winemaker to join our team for the upcoming crush. In this role, you will work closely with our winemakers to provide vital winemaking and quality assurance support, focusing on our premium Chardonnay and Bordeaux programs from fruit intake to barrel. If you enjoy hands-on winemaking and want to grow within a collaborative estate, we welcome your application.  

Primary Duties and Responsibilities  

• Fruit Receival & Processing: Coordinate fruit intake and liaise with the crush crew to ensure lots are processed to the correct presses and tanks.  

• Pressing Decisions: Monitor press progress and taste juices to make critical press cut decisions for white juice and basket-pressed red wines.  

• Racking & Sorting: Supervise white juice racking to winemaker specifications and assess optical sorter performance for desired berry selection.  

• Fermentation Monitoring: Maintain daily oversight of white and red tanks, conducting sensory assessments on settling, cold soak, and active ferments.  

• Extraction & Quality Control: Manage automated red pump-overs and monitor punch-downs, reporting any quality concerns directly to the winemakers.  

• Cellar Operations: Inspect empty barrels for soundness before filling, prepare accurate work orders, and provide clear guidance to the cellar crew.  

• Team Collaboration: Participate in daily team tastings and assist with extra winemaking projects as needed.  

Job Requirements  

• Degree in Oenology or Food Science required.  

• Minimum of 3 completed harvests required; experience across various winery sizes and full yearly winemaking cycles preferred. International harvest experience (ideally with Chardonnay or Bordeaux varieties) is an asset.  

• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada, possess reliable transportation, and secure independent accommodation.  

• Strong interpersonal skills, a trustworthy character, and the ability to multi-task under tight harvest timelines.  

Why Join Us? 

Mission Hill Family Estate is committed to hiring, engaging, and growing qualified, talented, and motivated team members at every level of our organization. The typical hiring range for this position is $60,000 - $70,000 annually; the 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: 

• 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.


• Discounts on tours, restaurants, and experiences at our collection of estate wineries


• Free tastings for you and your guests

Apply by July 15, 2026, on our website.