Pump Over
A Pump Over is a common winemaking technique where juice from the bottom of a fermentation tank is pumped to the top and sprayed over the grape skins floating on the surface. This process, also called "remontage" in French, helps extract color, flavor, and tannins from the grape skins during red wine production. It's similar to stirring a pot of soup to mix all ingredients well. Winemakers use this method to control how much flavor and color they want in their wine, making it an important skill in wine production.
Examples in Resumes
Managed daily Pump Over operations for 20 fermentation tanks during harvest season
Implemented automated Pump Over systems to improve wine quality and consistency
Trained cellar workers in proper Pump Over and Remontage techniques
Typical job title: "Cellar Workers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Cellar Workers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Industry Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you determine the optimal pump over schedule for different wine styles?
Expected Answer: A senior candidate should explain how factors like grape variety, desired wine style, temperature, and fermentation progress influence pump over decisions. They should mention monitoring techniques and adjusting schedules based on wine development.
Q: Describe how you would train a team in pump over procedures during harvest.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate leadership by explaining safety protocols, proper technique demonstration, quality control measures, and how to adjust procedures for different tank sizes and wine styles.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What signs do you look for to determine if pump overs are effective?
Expected Answer: Should mention checking cap moisture, color extraction, temperature control, and tasting samples to monitor progress. Should understand basic wine chemistry indicators.
Q: How do you handle pump over operations during a problematic fermentation?
Expected Answer: Should discuss monitoring fermentation temperature, adjusting pump over frequency, and knowing when to alert the winemaker about issues.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What safety precautions do you take when performing pump overs?
Expected Answer: Should mention proper equipment handling, CO2 safety awareness, proper cleaning procedures, and following workplace safety protocols.
Q: Describe the basic steps of performing a pump over.
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the process of setting up equipment, ensuring proper connections, monitoring flow rates, and cleaning procedures afterward.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic pump over operations
- Equipment cleaning and sanitation
- Safety procedures
- Basic fermentation monitoring
Mid (2-5 years)
- Managing multiple fermentations
- Troubleshooting equipment issues
- Understanding wine chemistry basics
- Training junior staff
Senior (5+ years)
- Developing pump over strategies
- Managing large-scale operations
- Quality control implementation
- Team supervision and training
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of basic understanding of fermentation process
- No knowledge of cleaning and sanitation procedures
- Poor awareness of cellar safety protocols
- Unable to explain basic pump over technique
Related Terms
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