Our Team
LAURIE PETERSON
VP, VINEYARD OPERATIONS
Laurie Peterson brings over two decades of strategic leadership and operational expertise to her role as VP of Operations Aquilini Vineyards. With a background rooted in guiding teams to operational success, Laurie joined Aquilini in 2020 and has since overseen the vineyard operations with a focus on optimizing grape production and quality. Laurie's commitment to vineyard excellence is evident in her hands-on approach to managing day-to-day operations and implementing strategic initiatives. She collaborates closely with the vineyard team to enhance operational efficiency and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Laurie's leadership extends to building strong relationships with grape growers and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with Aquilini's vision for sustainable viticulture practices. Prior to her role in vineyards, Laurie held pivotal positions at Shell Oil, where she honed her skills in operational management and strategic planning. Laurie holds an MBA with a concentration in Marketing from California Lutheran University.
RAUL CHAVEZ
VINEYARD MANAGER
Rooted in a rich agricultural upbringing centered around apples and cherries, Raul Chavez, our dedicated Vineyard Manager, has seamlessly translated his passion for farming into the world of grapes. Originally on a business trajectory at Central Washington University, Raul found his true calling in the fields, accumulating 15 years of expertise overseeing apple orchards at Evans Fruit and a decade tending to 360 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon at Sport Fisher. In April 2023, Raul brought his wealth of experience to Aquilini Vineyards, contributing a seasoned perspective to our dynamic team.
JOSE MADRIGAL
VITICULTURIST
Hailing from Mattawa, WA, Jose Madrigal's journey into grape farming commenced under the mentorship of his father, an esteemed Vineyard Manager overseeing a sprawling 450-acre vineyard. With a bachelor’s degree in Viticulture & Enology earned in 2021, Jose quickly rose to the role of Head Viticulture Technician at Sagemoor Vineyards in the Columbia Valley. His expertise continued to evolve during his tenure as the Assistant Vineyard Manager at Hattrup Farms in the Yakima Valley. Now, as an integral part of the Aquilini Vineyard Team, Jose is dedicated to crafting top-tier grapes and fostering collaborative partnerships.
JEN LEYDEN
PROJECT COORDINATOR, VINEYARDS & BEVERAGE GROUP
Born and raised in White Rock, BC, Jen Leyden's passion for the wine industry blossomed during her two transformative years living in the Okanagan Valley. Jen attended the British Columbia Institute of Technology in Graphic Design and Marketing, joining Aquilini Vineyards in January 2023 where she works with both the vineyards team and Aquilini Beverage Group. As a dedicated project coordinator at Aquilini Vineyards, Jen focuses on vineyard projects and initiatives. Her commitment to enhancing relationships with grape and bulk wine customers reflects her dedication to fostering collaborative partnerships within the industry.
Job Postings
Job Description
(Permanent, Full Time)
Position: Vineyard Office Assistant (Full time)
Division: Aquilini Vineyards
Reports to: Vineyard Manager
Location: Benton City, Washington (Hybrid)
Summary
The Full-Time Vineyard Office Assistant plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive support for our vineyards team. This position requires a proactive individual who thrives in a dynamic work environment. The assistant is dedicated to assisting the team in achieving optimal results. Key requirements include outstanding organizational skills, adept prioritization, and excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
Essential duties and responsibilities:
(other duties will be assigned, as required)
• Administer the entire onboarding process for new hires, including the completion of HR documentation such as the I9/W4 forms, emergency contact information, and direct deposit forms. Facilitate New Hire Orientation/Training and ensure the proper filing of these documents into on-site employee files, while also scanning and emailing the I9/W4 forms to the payroll department.
• Receive payroll checks and prepare them for distribution to Managers, Foremen, and directly to employees.
• Complete bi-weekly payroll processing, including entering hours, categorizing data in the payroll spreadsheet, and using the payroll program. Ensure that the payroll is reviewed and approved by the Vineyard Manager and COO.
• Post spray activities and accurately record chemical applications to comply with Washington State laws.
• Attend monthly LNI safety meetings and report updates to vineyards team.
• Create and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the office and other areas of the vineyard, ensuring consistent processes and best practices.
• Generate Weight Tags and Bin Labels for harvested fruit. Scan Weight Tags and email them to the appropriate list of recipients.
• Track purchases on the Purchase Order (PO) spreadsheet and assign PO numbers to Managers and Foremen making purchases. Communicate POs to vendors as necessary. Work with ABG accounting on invoice payments, questions, etc.
• Facilitate communication during harvest regarding weight tags with ABG finance team.
• Schedule and effectively manage team meetings, ensuring smooth coordination and communication.
• Collaborate with both new and existing vendors to obtain competitive quotes for materials and services, ensuring cost-effective procurement practices.
• Work with Project Coordinator on various vineyards initiatives.
• Handle confidential information with sensitivity and discretion.
Required experience and qualifications:
• 3 – 5 years of office administration experience
• Ability to converse in Spanish is an asset
• Committed to delivering quality work and outputs
• Takes initiative and seeks continuous improvement
• Proficiency with MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet research functions
• Ability to pick up new processes quickly
• Ability to properly assess tone of sensitive situations and behave professionally
• Effective at prioritizing and excellent time management skills