Graciela Sanchez
Napa,USA
Summary
Industrial engineer specialized in winemaking with expertise in harvest operations, fermentation management, and full-spectrum wine production. Skilled in fermentation monitoring, laboratory analysis, and workflow optimization, with strong experience in quality assurance and implementation.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Enologist
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Napa, CA
03.2022 - Current
- Participated in blend trials and sensory evaluations with Head Winemaker to enhance wine quality.
- Lead on chemistry & microbiological oversight of wines.
- Produce reliable and accurate laboratory analysis as per request by Winemaker as: alcohols, TA, pH, FSO2, TSO2, CO2, DO, turbidity, % solids, Brett analysis, RS and ML checks by Y15 System.
- Managed laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with protocols and standards.
- Performed calibration and maintenance of laboratory instruments to ensure precise measurements.
- Monitor barrel and tank fermentations by DMA and alert winemaking staff if concerned ferments that need quick rectification.
- Perform wine/juice lab bench trials for finings and/or corrective additions.
- Collaborated with production and winemaking teams to refine SOPs for QC, bottling, and lab analysis, improving operational consistency.
- Maintain accurate and compliant production records in Vintrace
- Perform data entry into lab logbooks, and excel spreadsheets retained in company folders. Maintain Data Integrity and Impartiality.
- Participating in tastings, and media events.
- Trained and supervised laboratory interns, providing instruction and support to develop their skills and ensure laboratory standards.
Enology Intern
Haras de Pirque
Pirque, Chile
03.2025 - 05.2025
- Assisted winemaking team with lab analyses and fermentation monitoring to ensure quality control.
- Conducted equipment checks and maintained cleanliness in cellar to uphold operational standards.
Winegrowing Technician
Antinori Napa Valley
Napa, CA
06.2020 - 02.2022
- Produce reliable and accurate laboratory analysis as per request by Winemaker.
- Monitoring monthly analysis on all wines, sample and running Wine X-ray analysis on grapes and finished wines and upload to the Wine X-Ray website.
- Tracked Brix and temperature levels during harvest to optimize grape quality.
- Participates in blend trials, tasting and evaluating wines.
- Run QC during bottling and maintain all bottling record forms.
- Contributed to continuous improvement of winemaking processes and procedures for enhanced quality.
- Maintained laboratory supplies, updated procedures, and recorded analysis to ensure operational efficiency.
- Accurately record work completed on work orders, receiving reports and cellar documents.
- Follow proper safety practices and teach seasonal workers to follow in their lead.
- Work knowledge of all cellar procedures such as crushing, fermenting, pressing, wine movements, topping, barrel work, filtration, sterilization of equipment, bottling, etc.
- Measure vine water stress - by conducting leaf water potentials.
- Collected crop estimation data by assessing vine yield and growth patterns.
- Gather and input viticulture information into a database such as crop estimation (cluster weights, berry counts, berry weights) and field observations for pests, diseases and viruses.
Harvest Intern
Antinori Napa Valley
Napa, CA
07.2019 - 11.2019
- Executed additions to enhance flavor profiles during wine fermentation.
- Fermentation management and monitoring of both red must and white wines.
- Processed incoming fruit to ensure optimal quality for fermentation.
- Performed punch-downs and pump-overs to ensure proper wine extraction.
- Racked and transferred wine, performing barrel down procedures to maintain quality.
- Barrel maintenance: racking, sulfuring, topping and stirring.
- Sanitation of winery facility, tanks and equipment.
Harvest Intern
Truett Hurst Winery
Santa Rosa, CA
08.2018 - 11.2018
- Processed incoming fruit for fermentation to ensure quality and flavor extraction.
- Executed punch-downs and pump-overs to enhance wine extraction during fermentation.
- Racked and transferred wine along with barrel down procedures to facilitate aging and flavor development.
- Barrel maintenance: racking, sulfuring, topping and stirring.
- Sanitized winery facility, tanks, and equipment to maintain hygiene standards.
Quality Assurance Engineer / Supplier Quality Engineer
AERODESIGN DE MEXICO S.A de C.V
Tijuana, Mexico
03.2015 - 08.2016
- Develop and document quality assurance procedures.
- Collaborated with developers to identify and resolve defects.
- Reviewed project requirements and specifications for accuracy.
- Created detailed reports on the results of quality assurance tests conducted.
- Identify current or potential issues with supplier quality.
- Monitored and validated NCRs to ensure supplier accountability.
- Report discrepancies to suppliers (Supplier Quality Department).
- Monitor corrective action processes of each of the suppliers to ensure that resolution issues are identified and ensure that resolutions are implemented by suppliers.
- Led receiving inspection team to uphold quality standards.
- Manage equipment, material, resources, and physical area for receiving inspection
- Perform return material authorization (RMA), and any other inspection service activities required.
- Partner with purchasing, planning, stock room, quality, and engineering to facilitate achieving department goals.
- Resolved identified issues to enhance productivity and streamline workflows.
Quality Engineer Intern
MABAMEX DE MEXICO S.A de C.V
Tijuana, Mexico
08.2014 - 02.2015
- Assisted in verifying compliance with industry standards and procedures.
- Assisted in the development of CAPAS indicators for performance measurement.
Education
Master of Viticulture, Enology and Wine Business Management -
Universidad de La Rioja
Logroño, Spain05-2018
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering -
Universidad Iberoamericana
Tijuana, Mexico05-2015
College -
San Diego City College
San Diego, CA12-2010
Skills
- Sensory evaluation
- Quality control
- Data management
- Forklift operation
- Computer literacy
- Microsoft Office
- Organizational skills
- Time management
- Multitasking
- Adapts under pressure
- Teamwork
- Training and development
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Enology Intern
Haras de Pirque
03.2025 - 05.2025
Enologist
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
03.2022 - Current
Winegrowing Technician
Antinori Napa Valley
06.2020 - 02.2022
Harvest Intern
Antinori Napa Valley
07.2019 - 11.2019
Harvest Intern
Truett Hurst Winery
08.2018 - 11.2018
Quality Assurance Engineer / Supplier Quality Engineer
AERODESIGN DE MEXICO S.A de C.V
03.2015 - 08.2016
Quality Engineer Intern
MABAMEX DE MEXICO S.A de C.V
08.2014 - 02.2015
Master of Viticulture, Enology and Wine Business Management -
Universidad de La Rioja
Bachelor of Industrial Engineering -
Universidad Iberoamericana
College -
San Diego City College