Research Winemaking Intern

Job Description

Job Title: Research Winemaking Intern

Job Req ID: 106355

Job Type: Full-time (Internship)

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 (03/31/2026).
• Candidates must be available for the entire duration of the internship program (July – December 2026).

About GALLO

We are a family-owned company with a 90+ year legacy, consistently recognized as a Glassdoor “Best Places to Work.” With over 130 brands in our total alcohol beverage portfolio, including wine, malt, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages, we are home to the #1 wine and spirits brands in the U.S. – Barefoot Wine & High Noon. We are also proud official sponsors of the NFL, NHL, UFC, and PGA of America.

Our commitment to excellence and innovation is deeply rooted in our corporate values and mission. For nearly a century, our team has not only won awards for exceptional products but has also led groundbreaking research, positioning Gallo as a global leader in wine and spirits innovation.

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

Imagine immersing yourself in the heart of innovation in grape cultivation, winemaking, and distillation. As an intern at Gallo, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience in crafting world-class wines and spirits, collaborating with industry experts to support essential production practices and pioneering research projects. Our production sites are responsible for nearly 100 million cases annually, embodying a passion for excellence and an unwavering commitment to research and continuous improvement.

This unique five- to six-month immersive internship program takes place at one of our production sites, beginning in early to mid-summer and extending through the harvest into late fall. Interns receive comprehensive technical training and professional development. You will contribute to various corporate initiatives and research projects, and lead your own project, which you will present to our management team at the culmination of your internship.

We welcome interns from diverse academic backgrounds, including but not limited to Enology, Food Science, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, and Microbiology. This program is designed to foster inclusivity, drawing on diverse perspectives to enrich our innovative spirit. Join us and discover the rewarding journey of creating high-quality wines and spirits while engaging in cutting-edge research and development.

Placement Opportunities (Current Availability)

Please note the current availability of our internship placements:

• Winemaking Interns – FILLED (Assisting with commercial scale winemaking)
• Research Winemaking Interns – ALL LOCATIONS AVAILABLE (Assisting with small-lot production)
• Spirits Distillation Interns – FILLED (Assisting with commercial spirits production)

Research Winemaking Intern Responsibilities (ALL LOCATIONS AVAILABLE)

Location: Modesto, Livingston, and Healdsburg, CA

Interns will assist in all aspects of small-lot wine production in our Modesto (10-gallon scale), Livingston (600-gallon scale), or Healdsburg (600-gallon scale) research wineries. These facilities produce over 500 table, sparkling, and dessert wines per season. You will work hands-on – from grape crush to bottling – in every step of the winemaking process. Our facilities support statewide research programs, allowing interns to produce wines from grapes grown in many different winegrowing regions of California and gain experience with a wide variety of wine styles, types, grape varieties, and processing/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.

What You’ll Need (Requirements)

• 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 (July – December 2026).
• Candidate is required to have a valid driver’s license, a safe driving record, and reliable vehicle at the time of hire. This position will undergo a motor vehicle check (MVR). 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

We are 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 Disclaimers)

• The Company does not sponsor for employment-based visas for this position now or in the future.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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: 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).
• We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. 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.
• 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