Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Heather Huffman

Rochester,NY

Summary

An interest in science introduced me to the wine industry; working in the wine industry, quickly led to an appreciation for agriculture (especially for perennial fruit crops). A few years of experience in agriculture through graduate school and now the agricultural (bio)chemical industry has taught me the value of how small steps in research and daily practices allows the agricultural field to progress and move to a more sustainable approach. I look forward to many years of being a part of that and using my scientific back ground to help growers do so. While I maintain this role in my full time career, I hope to keep a foot in the wine industry and share my appreciation and love for wine with many others.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Research Agronomist/Technical Representative

Rovensa Next
10.2023 - Current
  • Company Overview: Rovensa Next is a Biochemical/Biosolutions company for agricultural crops.
  • Manage research trials in the Northeast.
  • Provide technical support for research and development as well as sales.

Tasting Room Associate

3 Brother's Winery and Estates
08.2021 - Current
  • Work occasional shifts in the Stoney Lonesome Tasting room.
  • Typically working as a server: discussing wine with customers, helping them select flights, bussing tables, helping to seat guests, etc.
  • Discussing and answering questions about wine and agricultural topics with coworkers.

Research Agronomist/Technical Representative/Sales/Marketing Support

OMEX Agrifluids
01.2022 - 10.2023
  • Company Overview: OMEX is a specialty fertilizer company for agricultural crops.
  • Manage research trials in the Northeast.
  • Provide technical support for research and development as well as sales.
  • Sales in the Northeast.
  • Marketing support.

Cellar Hand/Intern

3 Brother's Winery and Estates
08.2021 - 12.2021
  • Assisted during harvest in the wine cellar.
  • Proficient in most standard wine laboratory skills, operating crush and press, filtering, and other winery equipment.
  • Assisted in tastings and blending bench work.

Graduate Researcher/Graduate Teaching Assistant

SIUC
07.2019 - 07.2021
  • Managed a horticulture specialty crops lab.
  • Mentored multiple undergraduate students.
  • Graduate Teaching Assistance in
  • Hort 333: From Vine to Wine
  • Hort 433: Wines of the World
  • Tree Fruit Production
  • Small Fruit Production

Cellar Hand

Lakeridge Winery
01.2019 - 08.2019
  • Performed cellar duties such as filtered, transfers, additions, and cleaning.

Tasting Room Associate/ Cellar Hand Vineyard Hand

Blue Sky Vineyards
08.2016 - 08.2019
  • Worked in tasting room as server with large team serving customers discussing wine, preparing food, bussing, etc.
  • Trained new staff

Cellar Intern

St. James Winery
05.2017 - 12.2017
  • Assisted during harvest in the wine cellar.
  • Proficient in most standard wine laboratory skills, operating crush and press, filtering, and other winery equipment.
  • Assisted in tastings and blending bench work.

Host/Server

Fat Bottom Betty's
08.2016 - 05.2017
  • Worked as a host to obtain experience in a restaurant. Then, moved into a service role. Regularly, worked breakfast, lunch, and dinner shifts.
  • Trained in upselling wine, beer, and cocktails.

Education

Bachelors of Science - Physiology, minors in Chemistry and Psychology

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
01.2018

Master's of Science - Plant Soil and Agricultural Systems

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
01.2021

Skills

  • Experienced in wine descriptions
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Friendly, positive attitude
  • Customer service
  • Problem-solving

Certification

WSET Level

Timeline

Research Agronomist/Technical Representative

Rovensa Next
10.2023 - Current

Research Agronomist/Technical Representative/Sales/Marketing Support

OMEX Agrifluids
01.2022 - 10.2023

Tasting Room Associate

3 Brother's Winery and Estates
08.2021 - Current

Cellar Hand/Intern

3 Brother's Winery and Estates
08.2021 - 12.2021

Graduate Researcher/Graduate Teaching Assistant

SIUC
07.2019 - 07.2021

Cellar Hand

Lakeridge Winery
01.2019 - 08.2019

Cellar Intern

St. James Winery
05.2017 - 12.2017

Host/Server

Fat Bottom Betty's
08.2016 - 05.2017

Tasting Room Associate/ Cellar Hand Vineyard Hand

Blue Sky Vineyards
08.2016 - 08.2019

Master's of Science - Plant Soil and Agricultural Systems

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Bachelors of Science - Physiology, minors in Chemistry and Psychology

Southern Illinois University Carbondale