They decide when to start the harvest and ensure that grapes are trucked to the crusher quickly and safely. Enologists supervise workers in the crushing and fermentation process, following legal and regulatory practices and record keeping requirements. In smaller operations, they may perform these processing duties themselves. There are approximately 125-175 enologists currently employed in Napa County. Of the employers surveyed, all report that their recent hires have completed 4 years of college.
Most employers usually require prior experience.
Many, however, will sometimes accept training as a substitute for experience. Possess a keen sense of taste and smell. Most employers recruit applicants through newspaper advertisements. Some fill openings by hiring referrals from schools or training programs. Some also report that database skills are important.