Production Winemaker - Idée Fixe (18-month Maternity Leave Contract)

Hands-on, fast-paced role in a growing, visionary team

Respected West Australian private family company

Generous Staff Wine & Hospitality Benefits

Idée Fixe is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Production Winemaker to join our team on an 18-month maternity leave contract. This role offers the opportunity to take a leading hand in the day-to-day and strategic winemaking operations for our dedicated Blanc de Blancs house in Margaret River.

Reporting to the Operations Manager, the Production Winemaker will be responsible for the coordination and execution of all winery production activities to ensure the highest standards of wine quality, efficiency and safety. The role encompasses both hands-on cellar and laboratory responsibilities as well as planning, leadership, and administration. During vintage and tirage, the Production Winemaker will oversee shifts, ensuring safe and accurate execution of all winemaking activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise cellar and packaging operations by continuing to foster a strong and safe team culture.
• Ensure the smooth and hygienic execution of all vintage cellar operations, base wine blending and bottle preparation, tirage culture management, dosage preparation and reserve wine management.
• Oversee routine laboratory analysis along with periodic blending / dosage trials and maintain all relevant trial documentation.
• Provide accurate cellar notes and update all winemaking records and laboratory results within Vintrace ensuring LIP and quality compliance.
• Help coordinate the annual, monthly and weekly cellar, disgorging and packaging program in line with production and quality goals.
• Coordination, induction and safe training of all casual staffing required for the bottling, disgorging and packaging processes.
• Oversee and maintain inventory of all cellar and bottling, disgorging and packaging consumables.
• Drive continuous improvement in winery operations, including efficiency, safety, and SOP development.
• Ensure full compliance with legislative, WHS, environmental and company policy requirements.
• Be responsible for staff safety, and coordinate staff training, and performance management.
• Assist in strategic planning for winemaking operations and contribute to capital expenditure discussions.
• Represent Idee Fixe at tastings, tours, and industry events.

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in Oenology or Winemaking, with relevant experience in production or senior assistant winemaking roles
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, train, and direct teams.
• Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving abilities, with a detail-oriented approach to wine quality management.
• Proficiency in winery management systems (Vintrace preferred) and a commitment to maintaining accurate records.
• Sound understanding of WHS and compliance obligations in a production winery environment.
• Flexibility to manage vintage and tirage shift work and supervise teams independently.

Contract Commencement: Mid November onwards.

Applications Close: 31 October 2025