John Belanger
West Milford,NJ
Summary
Experienced with viticulture and enology, ensuring highest standards in wine production. Utilizes fermentation expertise and sensory evaluation skills to maintain product excellence. Knowledge of vineyard management and quality control, fostering consistent and exceptional wine outcomes.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Winemaker
Grape Enterprises
08.2021 - Current
- Responsible for assisting head winemaker in everyday functions
- Crush/press grapes. Grape fermentation and yeast choices.
- Maintaining wine throughout aging process (topping off)
- Performing lab tests for wine
- Bottling
Winemaker and General Manager
Coda Rossa Winery
08.2021 - Current
- Oversee all tasting room functions, including bottle/case sales, inventory, ordering, customer relations and staffing.
- Responsible for scheduling private events for customers as well as in-house events for the winery.
- Constantly networking with food trucks, musicians and other wineries to set up more events for the winery or to supply NJ grapes for new vintage wines
- Responsible for outlet procedures
- Responsible for festival registration, samplings and staffing
- Responsible for assessing grape sugars and picking times to optimize the best fruit
- Crush/press grapes. Grape fermentation and yeast choices.
- Maintaining wine throughout aging process (topping off)
- Performing lab tests for wine
- Bottling
Tasting Room Manager
Tomasello Winery
05.2020 - 08.2021
- Oversaw all tasting room functions, including bottle/case sales, inventory, ordering, customer relations and staffing.
- Maintained ABC regulations within the tasting room.
- Handled banking on weekly bases.
Membership Sales Advisor
OrangeTheory Fitness
05.2019 - 11.2019
- Sell memberships, class packs and retail to new and returning members
- Handle all front desk responsibilities including answering phones and managing computer systems
- Provide a positive, energetic and fun environment for all in the studios
Cook
Madison Bagel
05.2018 - 10.2018
- Cooked breakfast and lunch sandwiches as well as preparing all ingredients
- Prepared salads as well as omelets
- Created menu items and continuously provided feedback to management
- Gained experience with a bagel oven as well as the proofing of frozen dough’s
Dishwasher/Prep cook
Roots Steakhouse
02.2018 - 05.2018
- Responsible for dishwashing station, cleaning, rinsing and sanitizing silverware, plates and kitchenware
- Responsible for all cleaning after shifts and garbage/grease removal
- Small prep work, peeling potatoes, pooling eggs, etc.
Food Expediter
Tavern 5
05.2016 - 03.2018
- Mentored and trained four junior staff, improving performance
- Finished meals for lunch and dining services (fries and side salads) with an average of 100 tables per day
- Managed POS system with little trouble and kept ticket times appropriate.
- Collaborated with Head Chef and the rest of line staff to execute services flawlessly
Prep cook
Tavern 5
05.2016 - 03.2018
- Prepped American classic foods and ingredients
- Learned several cooking techniques
- Improved my knife work and flavor combinations
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Hospitality and Tourism Management
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Madison, NJ05.2020
Skills
- Yeast management
- Sanitation procedures
- Sensory evaluation
- Chemical handling
- Laboratory skills
- Fermentation management
- Blending techniques
- Filtration techniques
- Quality control analysis
- Grape selection
- Barrel aging
- Winery equipment operation
Timeline
Assistant Winemaker
Grape Enterprises
08.2021 - Current
Winemaker and General Manager
Coda Rossa Winery
08.2021 - Current
Tasting Room Manager
Tomasello Winery
05.2020 - 08.2021
Membership Sales Advisor
OrangeTheory Fitness
05.2019 - 11.2019
Cook
Madison Bagel
05.2018 - 10.2018
Dishwasher/Prep cook
Roots Steakhouse
02.2018 - 05.2018
Food Expediter
Tavern 5
05.2016 - 03.2018
Prep cook
Tavern 5
05.2016 - 03.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Hospitality and Tourism Management
Fairleigh Dickinson University
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