Job Title: Vineyard Foreman
Location: Vernon, BC
Summary:
The Vineyard Foreman is responsible for the day-to-day operation of approximately 100 acres of company-managed vineyards. This role oversees vineyard health, supervises labour, tracks key data, and manages costs across assigned sites.
The Foreman ensures vineyards are regularly scouted and well maintained to remain healthy, productive, and disease-free.
This position also plays an important role in collecting and reporting viticulture data that supports decisions around pruning, crop load, frost protection, irrigation, and harvest planning.
Strong field presence, hands-on vineyard knowledge, careful observation, and clear, proactive communication are essential to success in this role.
Vineyard Operations:
- Assume day-to-day ownership of assigned vineyard blocks, ensuring all cultural practices are completed according to viticultural plans, seasonal timelines, and quality standards.
- Execute and oversee all vineyard operations including pruning, tying, shoot positioning, wire management, leaf removal, cluster thinning, hand hoeing, tractor operations, irrigation management, and harvest activities.
- Take direct responsibility for vineyard health, ensuring vines are maintained in a disease-free condition through proactive monitoring, prevention, and timely intervention.
- Conduct regular, vineyard scouting for pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, water stress, frost damage, and vine balance.
Flag and communicate potential risks early, recommending corrective measures to management and carrying out corrective actions in the field. Ensure vineyard work supports production targets for yield, fruit quality, vine longevity, and sustainability.
Labour Leadership & Performance Management :
- Train, mentor, and hold accountable vineyard crews, including local employees and Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs).
- Set clear daily and weekly work plans and quality expectations.
- Support coordination, onboarding, and compliance related to Temporary Foreign Worker programs (SAWP, AgStream).
- Manage fertilizer, chemical, tool, and supply inventories to ensure appropriate availability and stewardship.
Equipment, Irrigation & Infrastructure:
- Oversee the safe and effective use of vineyard equipment and machinery.
- Ensure preventative maintenance and coordinate repairs to minimize downtime.
- Take primary responsibility for irrigation system operation, including scheduling, monitoring, troubleshooting, repairs, and reporting deficiencies.
- Maintain vineyard infrastructure (trellis systems, wires, posts, drip irrigation) to required standards.
Health, Safety & Compliance:
- Lead vineyard safety practices and ensure compliance with OH&S, WCB, WHMIS, pesticide use regulations, and company policies.
Identify hazards, investigate incidents, and implement corrective actions. Ensure crews are trained, equipped, and working safely at all times.
Harvest & Cross-Department Support
- Coordinate and participate in harvest operations, including supervising vineyard crews and hauling fruit from company and contract vineyards as required.
- Support other operational divisions as needed, including equipment operation and vineyard crew supervision.
- Be available for on-call responsibilities related to irrigation, frost events, disease risk periods, and emergencies.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications:
- Certificate, diploma, or degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, or related field preferred.
- Minimum 2–5 years of vineyard experience, including leadership responsibility.
- Demonstrated ability to assess vine health, identify disease and pest pressure, and implement preventative practices.
- Strong observational skills, attention to detail, and disciplined record-keeping.
- Experience with Temporary Foreign Worker programs (SAWP, AgStream) is an asset.
- Spanish language is considered an asset.
- Valid Class 5 Driver’s License required; Class 3 or Endorsement 20 required or obtainable.
- Ability to lift up to 50+ lbs and work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Ability to be “on-call” and work long hours as required
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