Vineyard Foreman Job Description
Personnel Management
• Overseeing work done and ensuring efficiency and effectiveness
• Taking a leadership role when Vineyard Manager is not available
• Ability to answer questions and solve problems based on a comprehensive understanding of vineyard plant physiology, pests, pesticides, fertilizers, equipment, and infrastructure
• Implementing processes and procedures to maintain a healthy vineyard based on the comprehensive knowledge acquired from previous vineyard experience
• Quality control of grapes during the growing season
• Ability to prioritize tasks based on an understanding of importance
Equipment Operation
• Applying chemicals with all necessary equipment including tactor with air sprayer, cart with tank sprayer, backpack and spray bottle
• Bobcat operation including loading and unloading pallets and picking bins with pallet forks, moving picking bins through vineyard rows during harvest, moving materials such as compost or soil with bucket attachment, loading cut plant debris with hydraulic grapple bucket attachment, etc.
• Applying compost with tractor using compost spreader attachment
• Ability to change attachments on Bobcat skid steer and tractor 3-point attachment system
• Excavator operation
Vineyard Health
• Scouting for pests and disease – observing and identifying vineyard pest and disease symptoms, reporting observations to supervisor
• Fertigation – application of liquid fertilizers through drip irrigation systems
• Planting – planting living plants within fields
• Transplanting – moving living plants in fields
• Applying compost – using shovels to spread compost from a machine into the fields
• Mitigating disease spread – observing plant disease and taking measures to prevent spread (i.e. sanitization of equipment, washing hands, etc.)
Canopy Management
• Shoot thinning – selectively removing excessive growth to ensure desired crop yield and plant health, based on varietal
• Leaf pulling – removing leaves to increase air flow and sun exposure, based on varietal
• Fruit dropping – removing excess fruit to manage quantities and ensure plant health, based on varietal
• Rot dropping – removing rotten fruit from plants to reduce spread and increase quality
• Tucking shoots – carefully arranging plant shoots into catch wire system for vine health, uniformity and access to clusters
• Training – manipulating plant and using growers’ tape to develop plants into a permanent structure and form
• Suckering – removing unnecessary shoots from the trunk of plant
• Root stock removal – removing unneeded growth from base of plant for airflow and accessibility
Harvest
• Harvesting – carefully removing grape clusters and collecting in buckets for transportation to winery
• Berry samples – collecting fruit for testing to determine harvest dates
• Managing harvest labor – helping to maintain an efficient flow of work from laborers used during harvest time
Prune
• Establishing fruit load per varietal – following guidance from supervisors to cut canes back in order to set the yield and shoot spacing for the next growing season, based on varietal
• Pruning wound sealant – carefully applying pruning sealant to all cuts made during pruning process
• Knowledge of plant physiology and structure for future plant health – using basic understanding of grape vine physiology and plant health to determine how to treat each individual plant to ensure plant health
• Disposing of cuttings – removing pruned debris and making orderly piles to be chipped or burned
Irrigation
• Follow water schedules – Turn water sources on and off according to set watering schedules
• Irrigation repair and maintenance – repair and maintain poly drip lines, drip emitters and PVC pipe
• Plant water stress observations – look for water stress in grape vines and report findings to supervisor
Vineyard Infrastructure
• Rock picking – removing rocks and debris from fields for safety and equipment operation
• Tighten all wires – keeping all vineyard wires tightened to help maintain uniformity and proper function
• Replace end posts – identifying rotten or loose end posts and replacing as needed
• Replace line posts – identifying loose or compromised line posts and replacing as needed
• Catch wire holder installation/management – ensuring catch wire systems are working properly
• Establish new vineyards – help in the construction and planting of new vineyard blocks
• Clearing vegetation from work area – keeping trees and shrubs trimmed for efficient functioning in vineyards
Chemical Handling and Application
• Following and understanding pesticide label guidelines – maintaining a current Pesticide Applicators license and knowledge of how to read and understand a pesticide label
• Properly applying chemicals – following directions to ensure safe application of pesticides and fertilizers, including Restricted Entry Intervals and Pre-Harvest Intervals
• Proper storage and disposal - storage and disposal of chemicals and containers following EPA label guidelines
• Appropriate PPE is worn – maintaining safe and clean PPE, following PPE guidelines from pesticide labels
Weed Management
• Mowing – safely operating a lawn mower to control weed and plant growth
• Weed whacking – using string trimmer to remove weeds under plant rows while paying very close attention to avoiding any contact between trimmer and plants
Pest Management
• Gophers - trapping and eradicating gophers from vineyard blocks
• Fencing - installation and maintenance of fences, posts and end posts to keep animals out
• Netting – installation and removal of net systems to protect fruit from birds, racoons, squirrels, and deer
Equipment Maintenance and Operation
• Equipment operation – safe use of carts, UTVs, lawn mowers and string trimmers
• Tune ups on carts and mowers – periodically checking fluid levels, battery condition and visually inspecting equipment to prevent problems
• Grease all equipment – applying lubricants to equipment
Job Requirements
• Ability to communicate with and oversee employees to ensure work is being performed adequately, effectively and safely
• Work with Vineyard Manager to develop work schedules and priorities, report work progress to Vineyard Manager periodically
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions including sub-freezing temperatures and extreme heat
• Must be able to lift and move 50 lbs.
• Flexible hours during harvest season and critical growing periods
• Ability to acquire Pesticide Handlers License
• Work on feet for extended periods and ability to crouch, kneel, stoop or crawl
• Close vision required
• Ability to use hands and fingers with dexterity
• Work environment includes exposure to wet or humid conditions, temperature extremes, toxic or caustic chemicals and periodic loud noises
Position Information:
This is a full-time salaried position with benefits including health insurance, PTO, Sick Time/FMLA, 401(k), annual performance bonuses, and more.
Total Compensation Range:
Annual Salary $48,000+ DOE