Michelle S Rivera Llovet
Enologist
Santa Rosa,CA
Summary
Enologist with an MBA and a strong background in lab operations, production planning, and cross-functional coordination. Skilled in managing vendor relationships, procurement, budget tracking, and process improvement. Passionate about translating technical knowledge into scalable operations and ready to transition into project management, operations, or technical coordination roles.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Enologist
Dehlinger Winery
Sebastopol, California
06.2024 - Current
- Plan and manage daily lab and cellar operations, including fermentation research, bottling QC, and analytical testing, with a focus on efficiency and continuous improvement.
- Manage procurement of lab and bottling materials, and equipment; create and track budgets to ensure cost-effective sourcing and alignment with production timelines.
- Use Excel, Outlook, Word, and Vintrace to organize schedules, track lab results, and ensure traceability and consistency across all data points.
- Improve lab testing protocols and workflow organization, increasing time efficiency and reducing material costs.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with the vineyard and hospitality teams to align harvest, production, and guest experiences.
- Engage with customers and trade guests during winery events, translating complex winemaking processes into approachable, brand-aligned storytelling.
- Train seasonal interns on lab safety, analysis, and cellar-lab coordination.
Enologist
HANNA Winery
Santa Rosa, CA
01.2022 - 12.2023
- Coordinated and executed lab and sensory analysis to support production timelines and quality benchmarks.
- Maintained accurate records of testing results and operational data to inform decision-making and compliance.
- Planned and performed bench and blend trials, contributing to efficient workflow and product consistency.
- Managed bottling quality control, ensuring operational accuracy and timely resolution of production issues.
- Oversaw chemical and equipment inventory, including SOP development and SDS compliance tracking.
- Collected vineyard samples and provided crop estimates to align harvest planning with capacity and staffing.
- Led critical fermentation steps including yeast inoculations and temperature monitoring, ensuring seamless cellar-to-lab coordination.
- Trained and supervised seasonal staff to ensure lab and production protocols were followed safely and efficiently.
Laboratory Technician II
Rutherford Ranch Winery
St. Helena, CA
12.2019 - 01.2022
- Performed analytical testing (Brix, pH, TA, FSO₂, TSO₂, NTU, Ethanol) and enzymatic assays (RS, ML, AA, NH₃, NOPA) using FOSS instrumentation to inform production decisions and maintain quality standards
- Conducted bench and blend trials to support efficient product development and scale-up planning
- Oversaw bottling quality control, ensuring adherence to specifications and minimizing production downtime
- Managed production documentation, developed and revised SOPs, and maintained inventory of chemicals and equipment to support smooth day-to-day operations and long-term planning
Harvest Intern
Trefethen Family Vineyard
Napa, California
06.2019 - 11.2019
- Supported fruit receival and daily cellar tasks including punch-downs, pump-overs, drain and press, racking, topping, and additions
- Assisted with inoculations and barrel work as part of routine fermentation processes
- Performed lab analysis (Brix, pH, TA, FSO₂, TSO₂, NTU, Ethanol) to monitor wine development and ensure process consistency
Harvest Intern
Nautilus Estate of Marlborough
Renwick, NZ
02.2019 - 04.2019
- Performed general winery and equipment sanitation to support production efficiency and maintain safety standards
- Assisted with fruit receival, racking, additions, and inoculations during harvest and fermentation phases
Harvest Intern
Honig Vineyard & Winery
Rutherford, California
08.2018 - 01.2019
- Performed cellar tasks including punch-downs, pump-overs, barrel down, drain and press, racking, topping, additions, and inoculations
- Conducted lab analysis: Brix, pH, TA, FSO₂, TSO₂, NTU, Ethanol, VA, and enzymatic assays (RS, ML, NH₃, NOPA) to support fermentation monitoring and production decisions
- Collected vineyard samples for maturity analysis and harvest planning
Harvest Intern
VML Winery
Healdsburg, California
08.2016 - 11.2016
- Performed daily fermentation tasks including punch-downs, pump-overs, saignée, and stirring to support wine development
- Assisted with additions and topping as part of routine cellar operations
Education
MBA -
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA 08.2022 - 05.2024
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
Guaynabo, PR 01.2018 - 05.2022
Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Team Leadership
- Supply Chain Management
- Data Analysis & Reporting
- Process Optimization
- Scheduling & Planning
- Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication
- Problem Solving & Adaptability
- Time Management
- Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite
- Bilingual – Fluent in English & Spanish
Certification
Lean Six Sigma White Belt
Timeline
Enologist
Dehlinger Winery
06.2024 - Current
MBA -
Sonoma State University
08.2022 - 05.2024
Enologist
HANNA Winery
01.2022 - 12.2023
Laboratory Technician II
Rutherford Ranch Winery
12.2019 - 01.2022
Harvest Intern
Trefethen Family Vineyard
06.2019 - 11.2019
Harvest Intern
Nautilus Estate of Marlborough
02.2019 - 04.2019
Harvest Intern
Honig Vineyard & Winery
08.2018 - 01.2019
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
01.2018 - 05.2022
Harvest Intern
VML Winery
08.2016 - 11.2016
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