Company description

Littorai Wines is a small, family owned and operated winery producing world class vineyard designated Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the true north coast of California: the coastal mountains of Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. We derive unique sustainable farming techniques from the fertile cross currents of permaculture, agro-ecology and the agricultural philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, the father of biodynamic farming. We are based on a thirty acre farm in western Sonoma County. This property was chosen for its unique potential to demonstrate a different future for winegrowing. The property is modeled on Rudolf Steiner’s vision of an integrated farm. The goal is to produce as many of the farm and vineyard needs on site as possible in a manner harmonious with and respectful of the surrounding environment and wildlife. Eight acres of the property are woods and streams, never to be developed. Fourteen acres are open pasture dedicated to providing a home for the cows and hay which form the basis of our compost. One quarter of these pasturelands are re-sown with legumes, grains and grasses every year. Only natural teas and compost are applied to maintain their vigor. We are re-establishing native evergreen oak grasslands on three additional acres, removing invasive species on two more and restoring Redwood forests to the stream banks.

Internship description

This is a position that wears many hats. Your responsibilities will include maintaining both vegetable and companion gardens with native California plants. Garden work will include harvesting, launching starts in the greenhouse, irrigation maintenance, planting in the ground, applying teas and general care. You will also be assisting in the management of the 50+ Shetland Sheep, chickens, guardian dogs, and 4 Dexter Cattle on the property.

Main duties will be making sure they have food, shelter, and water while rotating them around the property with temporary electric fences. During harvest when most of the crew bears down on the vineyards and in the cellar, you will make sure the garden and animals on the property are well cared for. You will also spend time working in some of the best vineyards on the Sonoma Coast doing canopy management, fruit sampling, crop drops, and more. Spanish is a huge asset in this position as you will be working closely with a fantastic group of Spanish speakers. During the peak of harvest you will occasionally be pulled into the winery to help with the various fermentations.

An interest in winemaking is beneficial but not required. At the end of harvest we will make all of the biodynamic preparations and build two 10'x100' long lasagna style compost piles made almost entirely of inputs from the farm. Position will begin in Late July or Early August and run until end of November.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

June 30, 2023