This Enologist position is responsible for teaching enology courses in a traditional, face-to-face environment as well as managing winemaking efforts (commercial and research) in the college winery. The HCC V&E Program is transitioning from a school winery to an incubator at the Wamego Campus (Wamego, KS) which will house both the college winery and up to five additional startup wineries in an alternating proprietorship setting. The Enologist’s teaching load includes 9-15 credits per academic year including industry-based workshops around Kansas. The Enologist will assist in extension and mentoring duties for the Kansas grape and wine industry, and will participate in industry conferences throughout the Midwest and the annual VESTA Summit.

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in enology, fermentation science, or related field of study. Experience working in a winery is essential. Computer literacy required. Experience with hybrid grape varieties preferred . Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship. E.O.E.

The following are essential (other duties may be assigned):

1. Collaborate with V&E Department staff to manage and perform day-to-day activities at the college winery year around including winery equipment maintenance and managing winery students/interns.
2. Serve as the technical mentor for winery incubator clients.
3. Teach 9-15 credit hours per academic year. Conducting “field workshops” may count as partial credit hour teaching load.
4. Serve as a winery “extension agent” including consulting for the Kansas grape and wine industry.
5. Attend and participate in selected industry conferences including the annual VESTA Summit.

The HCC V&E Program is located in Wamego, KS (www.wamego.org). HCC currently has 8 acres of vineyard containing approximately 5000 vines. The college winery is transitioning into a winery incubator for startup winemakers, the first such incubator east of the Rocky Mountains. HCC is the Kansas member of the Viticulture and Enology Science Technology Alliance (VESTA). The program was founded and is managed by Scott Kohl, a co-Principal Investigator for VESTA.

Check the HCC website for maps and more information about the program (www.highlandcc.edu/pages/grapes) as well as the HCC V&E page on Facebook for photos and other links (www.facebook.com/hccve).