Cellar Operator I

Job Description

Company Summary

Nestled in the hills of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation, Sea Smoke is dedicated to producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that express the distinct character of our estate vineyards. Our pursuit of excellence is driven by meticulous attention to detail, respect for the land, and a shared commitment to craftsmanship.

Sea Smoke Winery is proud to be part of Constellation Brands, a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits. Guided by our belief that elevating human connections is Worth Reaching For, we are committed to building iconic brands, investing in our people, and creating opportunities for employees to grow, innovate, and make an impact.

Position Summary

The Cellar Operator I performs routine cellar and barrel-room work with direction and support from the Operations Supervisor and authorized winery leadership. This role builds foundational cellar skills while following work orders, standard operating procedures, and Sea Smoke quality and safety expectations. Primary responsibilities include sanitation, supported wine and juice movements, barrel work, harvest activities, bottling support, and accurate recordkeeping. Work is performed within demonstrated training and authorization; questions, unusual conditions, and deviations are referred to the supervisor before proceeding.

Reports To: Operations Supervisor

Responsibilities

· Performs routine cleaning and sanitation of tanks, hoses, pumps, fittings, fixed process lines, barrels, and grape and wine processing equipment with direction and support. Prepares and verifies cleaning solutions according to approved procedures and reports sanitation defects.

· Assists with setup and execution of wine and juice transfers, rackings, and tanker movements. Confirms wine or lot identity, source and destination, and equipment setup with the assigned supervisor or authorized operator before starting.

· Measures and prepares wine and juice additions as directed. Obtains confirmation of calculations, product identity, quantities, and instructions from the Operations Supervisor, Winemaker, or other authorized winery leader before making additions.

· Selects and assembles hoses, fittings, valves, and gaskets with support; sets up and operates assigned pumps after training. Stops and seeks assistance when equipment operation or setup is uncertain.

· Uses basic winery math to measure volumes, weigh materials, and record routine production data; asks for verification when calculations or instructions are unclear.

· Uses dissolved oxygen and other assigned cellar meters after training, records results accurately, and promptly reports readings outside established parameters.

· Handles compressed gases, sulfur dioxide, cleaning chemicals, and processing aids only within training and authorization, following labels, safety data sheets, and site procedures.

· Follows work orders and completes production records, barrel scanning, and other required documentation accurately and promptly. Reports discrepancies before continuing the affected work.

· Supports grape receiving, crush, fermentation activities, pressing, and harvest transfers under direction. Assists with barrel filling, topping, racking, cleaning, and empty-barrel care according to assigned procedures.

· Supports bottling preparation and operations, including wine readiness, equipment setup, sanitation, material handling, and cleanup as assigned.

· Maintains organized work areas and participates in 5S practices: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.

· Performs assigned pre-use equipment checks, recognizes abnormal conditions, and reports safety, quality, maintenance, or sanitation concerns. Does not undertake repairs or troubleshooting beyond training and authorization.

· Uses required personal protective equipment, follows safe operating procedures, and promptly reports hazards, incidents, and near misses. Performs confined-space or other restricted work only when separately trained and authorized.

· Supports Constellation Brands sustainability programs, including conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and recycling.

· Communicates task status, questions, and handoff information clearly to the Operations Supervisor and winery team. Works collaboratively, follows daily priorities, and develops foundational cellar skills through training and feedback.

Minimum Qualifications

· Must be at least 21 years of age.

· High school diploma or GED.

· Minimum of six months of winery production experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant training and experience.

· Ability to work varied shifts, extended hours, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed, particularly during harvest and bottling.

· Ability to follow written and verbal work instructions, use production machinery and common hand tools safely after training, and seek assistance when needed.

· Basic math skills, including measurement, multiplication, division, percentages, and unit conversions.

· Ability to use computers, scanners, and production systems for work orders and recordkeeping.

· Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including a half- or full-face respirator when medically cleared and fit-tested.

· Ability to enter permit-required confined spaces only when trained, authorized, and working under the site confined-space program.

· Willingness to learn foundational cellar skills, receive feedback, and adjust to changing production priorities and assignments.

· Valid California driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

· One year or more of winery cellar or comparable beverage-production experience.

· Forklift certification and experience handling barrel racks, macro bins, and winery materials; operation remains subject to site training and authorization.

· Experience with barrel work, wine transfers, additions, sanitation, and bottling support.

· Bilingual English and Spanish communication skills.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

· Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and to sit as needed.

· Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and move up to 55 pounds.

· Frequent use of hands and arms for handling, reaching, gripping, and operating tools and equipment.

· Ability to climb stairs and ladders and to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as required by assigned work.

· Ability to work indoors and outdoors in warm, cold, and wet conditions.

· Work may occur around loud noise, fumes, chemicals, moving mechanical equipment, elevated work areas, and lift-truck traffic.

· Vision requirements include close, distance, peripheral, and focus adjustment sufficient to perform assigned work safely.

· Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Safety and Quality Expectations

All work must be performed in accordance with Sea Smoke Winery procedures, Constellation Brands policies, applicable safety requirements, and direction from authorized winery leadership. Employees are expected to stop work and immediately report conditions t

Location

Lompoc, California

Additional Locations

Job Type

Full time

Job Area

Operations and Production

The salary range for this role is:

$20.52 - $30.14

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. Our compensation is based on cost of labor. For remote locations or positions open to multiple locations, the pay range may reflect several US geographic markets, including the lowest geographic market minimum to the highest geographic market maximum. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, the prevailing minimum wage for the location, relevant education, qualifications, certifications,