Research Winemaking Intern

Job Description

Job Req ID: 106355

Job Type: Full-time

Work Category: Onsite

Application Close Date: 03/31/2026

Sponsorship: Not Available

Compensation: $23.00 – $27.50 per hour

Duration: June – December 2026 (6 months)

Important Information:

• Applications will not be reviewed until the application close date.
• Candidates must be available for the entire duration of the internship program (July – December 2026).

We are GALLO

Gallo is a family-owned company with over a 90-year legacy, consistently recognized as a Glassdoor “Best Places to Work.” The company boasts a portfolio of 130+ total alcohol beverage brands, including wine, malt, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages. Gallo is home to the #1 wine and spirits brands in the U.S. (Barefoot Wine & High Noon) and is an official sponsor of the NFL, NHL, UFC, and PGA of America.

View our Corporate Values and Mission Statement here.

A Taste of What You’ll Do (Internship Program Overview)

This internship offers an immersive experience at the heart of innovation in grape cultivation, winemaking, and distillation. Interns will gain invaluable hands-on experience in crafting world-class wines and spirits, collaborating with industry experts on essential production practices and pioneering research projects. Gallo’s production sites are responsible for nearly 100 million cases annually, driven by a passion for excellence and a commitment to research and continuous improvement. For nearly a century, the team has not only won awards for exceptional products but has also led groundbreaking research, establishing Gallo as a global leader in wine and spirits innovation.

The program is a unique opportunity for those passionate about winemaking and spirits distillation, offering a five- to six-month immersive experience at one of Gallo’s production sites. The internship begins in early to mid-summer and extends through the harvest into late fall (July – December 2026). Interns receive comprehensive technical training and professional development, contribute to various corporate initiatives and research projects, and lead their own project which will be presented to the management team at the culmination of the internship.

Gallo welcomes interns from diverse academic backgrounds, including but not limited to Enology, Food Science, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, and Microbiology. The program is designed to foster inclusivity, drawing on diverse perspectives to enrich the innovative spirit. Individuals from all walks of life are invited to apply, ensuring a wide range of voices contribute to the dynamic team.

Join Gallo to discover the rewarding journey of creating high-quality wines and spirits while engaging in cutting-edge research and development. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, you will find a welcoming environment that values your unique contributions and encourages your growth.

Placement Opportunities

Please note the current availability status for each opportunity:

1. Winemaking Interns – FILLED

• Locations: Modesto, Fresno, Livingston, and Lodi, CA.
• Description: Interns assist with production winemaking at the commercial scale at one of Gallo’s wineries, working and learning from winemakers responsible for the production of table wines, sparkling wines, flavored wines, and other beverages.
• What You Will Do:
  • Participate in product evaluations and trials including, but not limited to, sample acquisition, production practices, and fermentation monitoring.
  • Participate in wine tasting and sensory evaluation.
  • Perform fining, blending, and other winemaking trials.
  • Participate in the production, sensory evaluation, and bottling of commercial wines and beverages.

2. Research Winemaking Interns – ALL LOCATIONS AVAILABLE

• Locations: Modesto, Livingston, and Healdsburg, CA.
• Description: Interns assist in all aspects of small-lot wine production in Gallo’s research wineries. This includes Modesto (10-gallon scale), Livingston (600-gallon scale), or Healdsburg (600-gallon scale) facilities, which collectively produce over 500 table, sparkling, and dessert wines per season. Interns work hands-on—from grape crush to bottling—in every step of the winemaking process. These facilities support statewide research programs and allow interns to produce wines from grapes grown in many different winegrowing regions of California. Interns will also gain experience in producing a wide variety of wine styles and types, including white & red table, sparkling & dessert wines, and will work with dozens of grape varieties and a wide range of processing and winemaking methods.
• What You Will Do:
  • Grape receiving, crushing, and pressing.
  • Fermentation monitoring, filtration, ingredient additions, and post-fermentation treatments.
  • Assist with bench, pilot, and plant scale experiments, including recording and documenting data.
  • Participate in wine tasting and sensory evaluation.

3. Spirits Distillation Interns – FILLED

• Locations: Modesto, Livingston, and Fresno, CA.
• Description: This internship provides students with the opportunity to learn from experienced distillers producing a variety of spirits. Spirits-making is an area of rapid growth for Gallo, and the environment is dynamic as the company explores distilling and crafting new beverages.
• What You Will Do:
  • Manage bench-scale trials to problem-solve current production issues.
  • Evaluate process improvements in making and managing Gallo’s spirits portfolio.
  • Monitor fermentation and distillation facilities during harvest.
  • Participate in spirits tasting and sensory evaluation.

What You’ll Need (Minimum Qualifications)

• Currently enrolled at a college or university and working towards a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree OR have obtained a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in the following areas: School of Life Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, or School of Engineering (Business or social sciences degrees are not eligible for this internship, such as ag business, psychology, etc).
• Available for the entire duration of the internship program area(s) of interest (July – December 2026).
• Candidate is required to have a valid driver’s license, a safe driving record, and a reliable vehicle (if applicable) at the time of hire. This position will undergo a motor vehicle check (MVR) to confirm a history of safe and responsible driving. If needed, candidate must obtain the appropriate state driver’s license based on the position’s location within 30 days of hire.
• Required to travel to and from varying winery locations up to 10% of the time.
• Reliable transportation to and from work.
• Required to lift and move up to 40 lbs. when necessary.
• Required to work at heights of 50 feet, on tops of tanks inspecting wine surfaces when necessary.
• Required to be 21 years of age.
• Requires availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays when necessary.
• Strong applied technical skills and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.

Our Benefits & Perks

Gallo is committed to providing competitive compensation, perks, and a culture that supports your well-being. Benefits depend on your work category and may include medical and dental coverage, 401k plans, profit sharing, pet insurance, company holidays, access to an employee wine shop, and more! Additional information will be provided before your first interview.

The Fine Print (Important Policies)

• Visa Sponsorship: The Company does not sponsor for employment-based visas for this position now or in the future.
• Compensation Determination: Actual compensation paid within the range will be determined by factors such as the education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. In addition to the salary, this position may be eligible for bonuses, incentive plans, or participate in tasting room tip pools, as applicable.
• On-site Work: This position will be based in the location(s) specified in the job posting and requires working on-site with no telecommuting option. You will be expected to live within a commutable distance.
• Job Posting Duration: It is the Company’s policy for job postings to be open to internal candidates for a minimum of 5 days and to external candidates, if applicable, for a minimum of 3 days.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement:

Gallo’s policy is to afford equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and not to discriminate on the basis of race, traits associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles (such as braids, locks, and twists), color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law (including cancer and predisposing genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, familial status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation (actual or perceived), transgender status, sex stereotyping, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, reproductive health decision making, age, military or veteran status, domestic violence or sexual assault victim status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Nor will Gallo discriminate based on a perception that an individual has any of the foregoing characteristics or is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics.

Gallo will comply with state and local laws prohibiting discrimination for lawful out-of-work behavior, such as off-duty use of cannabis away from the workplace (subject to federal and state law exceptions), the existence of non-psychoactive cannabis metabolites in hair, blood, urine, or other bodily fluids as determined by a drug screening test (subject to federal and state law exceptions).

Gallo also considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.

Accommodation for Disabilities: Gallo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let us know at 209.341.7000.

E-Verify Program: Gallo is enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program and will use the program to verify the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees as required.

E-Verify Notice

Right to Work

Employee Polygraph Protection Act