Job Description

Job Description:

Patz & Hall Winery is experiencing a renaissance. Formed by four friends in 1988, Patz & Hall has grown to become one of California’s preeminent producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Winemaker James Hall has been at the helm for every harvest. Over the last 36 vintages he has cultivated partnerships with an assortment of all-star vineyards. Grand Cru sites of California. The grapes from these vineyards are vinified at our winery in Sonoma under the care of our seven-person production team. As a member of the Patz & Hall Harvest Team, you would play a crucial role in all aspects of the 2025 Vintage. This month, James Hall purchased his winery back, which means it is once again private and family run.
Harvest interns are given a wide array of tasks and responsibilities. We avoid pigeonholing anyone into task monotony. However, there is a pattern of fruit receival and vinification processes which lend itself to one who is nimble, regimented, and able to sequence tasks in their mind’s eye.
These tasks include but are not limited to:
- One person focused on fruit sampling and coordination with our director of grower relations; communicating vineyard and ripeness information with the winemaking team
- One intern focused on the lab: analyzing grapes, juice and must for brix/pH/TA; coordinating with our enologist
- Preparation of the cellar for harvest
- Receival of fruit (by forklift) and coordination of crush area, general logistics
- Operation of 4 grape presses, often two running simultaneously
- Execution of maceration regime at the winemaker’s direction. Giving feedback on fermentation management. Monitoring Pinot noir fermentations.
- Conducting native, barrel fermentations in Chardonnay; monitoring and managing those fermentations
- Draining and pressing
- Learning about wines of the world
- Sharing and enjoying great music
The position will start from late July to mid-August and typically continues into late October/early November.
No two harvests are alike, and there is always something new—even for veteran winemakers of 36 years. As such, we encourage people to come to the winery each day ready to learn and develop their talents. Having the ‘growth mindset’ and the ‘beginner’s mind’ will not only reap great rewards for this harvest position, but for the rest of your professional life.

Create a Job Alert

Receive an email alert when similar new jobs are posted. It's free, fast and easy.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs