Job Description
WHO IS HARPER'S REST?
Harper's Rest is a small, premium estate winery in Russian River Valley, rooted in two distinct vineyards—one Regenerative Organic Certified®, the other currently transitioning to organic farming. Our approach to viticulture is grounded in soil health, biodiversity, and long-term sustainability.
COME WORK WITH US
Our success is a result of the passion and creativity of our people, our exceptional portfolio, and our shared commitment to our core values: integrity, family, quality, and entrepreneurial spirit. Whether you're looking for constant growth, meaningful work, career development, having fun at work, or opportunities for promotion, we're sure that you will find that here!
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. They're more than just words for us. We are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace that promotes and values diversity. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they are more creative, innovative, and successful. While we know we have more work to do to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, we're investing to move our company and industry forward. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.
ABOUT THE JOB
We're looking for a passionate, hands-on temporary harvest intern to join our team for the 2025 harvest season. This is an exciting time for us—we've just moved into a brand-new, state-of-the-art winery, and we're eager to welcome someone who thrives in both independent and collaborative settings.
As an intern, you'll be involved in every aspect of vinification, working closely with a small, dedicated winemaking team of three. This year, we're also co-producing the vintage with another esteemed Russian River Valley winery, offering a unique opportunity for collaboration, shared knowledge, and immersion in a vibrant local wine community.
The ideal candidate preferably brings prior harvest experience, a strong sense of initiative, and a team-first mindset. If you're excited about great wine, thoughtful winemaking, and being part of a tight-knit crew, we'd love to hear from you.
*Potential start date August 18th and potential end date November 7th depending on the course of the growing season.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/THE DAY-TO-DAY ALL Harvest Operations: Assist with fruit processing and sorting during harvest. Help conduct tank and bin dig-outs and support general cellar clean-up.
Fermentation and Cap Management: Perform cap management techniques, including pump-overs and punch-downs. Assist in monitoring fermentation progress and record key metrics.
Barrel & Cellar Work: Participate in barrel operations such as filling, racking, topping, transferring, and sanitation. Move barrels and assist with general cellar organization and workflow.
Sanitization & Maintenance: Clean and sanitize tanks, hoses, and winemaking equipment in accordance with winery protocols. Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of the cellar and production areas.
*This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position and that the duties and responsibilities may change without notice.
AM I THE RIGHT FIT?
Not everyone can be a Harvest Intern. To be seriously considered for the role here is what you'll bring:
Education/Licenses/Certifications:
Required
o Highschool Diploma or GED
o Must be at least 21 years of age due to the handling and/or tasting of alcoholic beverages as part of the job responsibilities, in compliance with state and federal alcohol regulations.
Experience:
Experience or interest in high-end wine and wine making
Knowledge of the winemaking process is a plus
Skills/Traits:
Punctual, reliable and honest
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Strong attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions
Comfortable working in wet, slippery, dark or confined spaces
Positive “can-do” attitude/strong work ethic
Strong communication skills
Willingness to work long hours, including weekends
Physical Demands:
Lifting and Carrying: able to lift 50 lbs and perform repetitive physical tasks
Standing and Walking: this could include standing for long periods or walking for extended periods throughout the day
If after reading through this long list you're thinking – I'm not sure if I meet 100% of these requirements, should I still apply? YES – if you embody a growth mindset, see challenges as opportunities to develop, and find smarter (not harder) ways to get the real work that matters done, you sound like our kind of candidate. Regardless of where you come from, how you identify, or the path that led you here – we want to talk to you!
Our cash compensation for this role is targeted at $22 to $26 per hour. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience and expertise and may vary from the amounts listed above.
Job category: Cellar/Lab/Bottling/Warehouse