Vineyard Workers And Drivers

Job description

JNon-harvest vineyard work takes place approximately from January through August. Hand harvest work begins approximately from August through October.

Vineyard Work
• Pruning by hand – removal of unwanted wood from vine.
• Suckering by hand – removal of any extra unwanted shoots on cordons/canes, trunks, removal of any short canes and shoots from the cordon/cane
• Erosion control by hand – install fiber roll, straw mulch, silt fence, water bars
• Replant grapevines by hand in existing vineyards
• Training young vines by hand to stake and onto the fruit wire
• Canopy management by hand – moving wires to position shoots within the trellis system to maintain a vertical growing grapevine
• Leafing and lateral removal by hand – removing leaves from the fruit zone during the growing season; removing lateral growth from the canes within the fruit zone and growing canopy
• Installation and repair of trellis by hand, wires, stakes, hoses and drip emitters in existing vineyards and new developing.
• Pest Control by hand (growth tubes, milk cartons, netting) – install growth tubes and or cartons around young vines to protect plants from feeding animals and to promote good vine growth; install bird netting over the vineyards fruit zone to protect fruit from feeding birds
• Weed control by hand – using mechanical string trimmer for weed abatement and or a shovel (long-handled) to cut weeds from under the vines and for weed control around slopes of vineyards and along adjacent roads. Employer complies with CCR,Title 8, Section 3456 regarding hand weeding.
• Crop thinning by hand – removal of clusters during specific times of year to enhance fruit quality
• Layout/marking fields
• Picking up rocks, removing from vineyard
• Applying fertilizer by hand
• Hedging with handheld hedgers & gas powered hedgers
• Olives (pruning & harvesting by hand)
• Harvesting grapes by hand (approximately August through October)
• Grape hand sorting in the vineyard and on a hand sorting table, at the winery facility located at the same address as the vineyard where the fruit was picked
• Operate RTV on uneven terrain. Associated activities may include hauling and transporting materials (no chemicals) or equipment, with trailers or in cargo bed; nighttime light operation; and transporting personnel.

Special Requirements

3 months of experience working with wine grapes including wine grape harvest experience. Specific requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds frequently and being able to use hand tools, including cutting knives. Cannot be color blind due to the need to distinguish colors of crops. Must be able to use hand clippers.