The Gilchrist team is composed of dedicated and passionate individuals whose expertise and commitment drive our success. Our vision is to create a magical experience for all at our farm and winery. Our work vibe focuses on joy and encouragement, and we're driven by hospitality and service. Our vineyard and farm in Lake Leelanau will allow us to serve farm-to-table seasonal dishes, while we focus on sustainable stewardship of our land. We are frequently looking for qualified members to round out our team.
Join our Team
Review the following job opportunities to join our team. Email your resumé to info@gilchristfarmwinery.com. We will respond as positions become available. Please take a look around our website and preview our menu before applying.
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The Role:
Gilchrist Farm Winery is looking for an enthusiastic tasting room staff member who has a heart for hospitality and enjoy serving others. Our staff will be engaging with guests and offering them memorable wine and food experiences. You will assist in the daily operations of the tasting room and act as servers for both food and drinks. You will promote everything we offer and create connections with our guests.
Main Duties:
Must be comfortable speaking to customers
Ability to demonstrate organizational, customer service, and communication skills
Comfortable working in a fast paced, high energy environment - especially during the busy tourist season
Able to work independently but also collaboratively with BOH, FOH, and management
Must participate in cleaning including, but not limited to, daily and monthly deep cleaning tasks, and routine equipment maintenance
Maintain a clean and positive work environment
Must be willing to keep up with constant cleaning duties including, but not limited to, polishing, sweeping, mopping, sanitizing, and bussing
Must be able to meet the following physical demands. These include, but are not limited to: lifting up to 25 pounds, occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds, sitting, standing for 4-10 hours, bending, reaching, moving quickly, and maintaining a physical awareness in relation to your surroundings
Able to take constructive criticism, think and learn quickly, and work with a team mindset.
Contributes to and maintains the values and ideals of Gilchrist Farm and Winery
Requirements:
· Must be able to work weekends
· Your focus must be on hospitality and excellent service
· Comfortable selling to guests and making quick but lasting connections
· Ability to work in fast-paced but fun environment
· Ability to prioritize work
· Passionate to learn about the industry and help make it great
· Must be 16 years of age or older
Benefits and Perks:
· Staff coffee
· Competitive wage
· Meal and wine discounts
· Opportunities for growth
Job Type: Seasonal Pay: From $11.00 per hour
Shifts:
10 hour shift
8 hour shift
Day shift
Night shift
Work Location: In person
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Expectations
At least one year of kitchen experience required
Demonstrate a passion for farm to table cooking, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable cooking practices
Show excitement and ability to execute menu items from start to finish. This includes but is not limited to: cleaning and prepping seasonal farm produce, protein butchery, various cooking techniques
General knife handling, food safety, and sanitation knowledge is required
Comfortable working in a fast paced, high energy environment - especially during the busy tourist season
Willing to participate in menu item creation and development, hone and learn new and existing skills, and build a positive work environment with the rest of the crew
Able to work independently but also collaboratively with BOH, FOH, and management
Must participate in cleaning including, but not limited to, monthly deep cleaning tasks, all kitchen spaces, and routine equipment maintenance
Maintain a clean and positive work environment
Must be able to meet the following physical demands. These include, but are not limited to: lifting up to 25 pounds, occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds, unboxing orders, sitting, standing for 4-10 hours, bending, reaching, moving quickly, and maintaining a physical awareness in relation to your surroundings
Able to take constructive criticism, learn quickly, and work with a team mindset
Contributes to and maintains the values and ideals of Gilchrist Farm and Winery
Pay is based on experience (Range: $17.00-22.00 / hour). Available for full or part-time positions. Work Location: In person.
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Expectations
Experience preferred, but not required
Comfortable working in a fast paced, high energy environment - especially during the busy tourist season
Able to work independently but also collaboratively with BOH, FOH, and management
Must participate in cleaning including, but not limited to, daily and monthly deep cleaning tasks, and routine equipment maintenance
Maintain a clean and positive work environment
Must be able to meet the following physical demands. These include, but are not limited to: lifting up to 25 pounds, occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds, sitting, standing for 4-10 hours, bending, reaching, moving quickly, and maintaining a physical awareness in relation to your surroundings
Able to take constructive criticism, think and learn quickly, and work with a team mindset
Contributes to and maintains the values and ideals of Gilchrist Farm and Winery
Pay is based on experience. Range: $14.00-18.00 / hour. Available for full or part-time positions.
Job Type: Part-time. Benefits: Employee discount. Evening shift. Work Location: In person
Gilchrist Farm is a farm-to-table restaurant and winery located downtown Suttons Bay. Each dish highlights a local farm that we work with, including our own. Everything we service is sourced seasonally and made from scratch.
Our Team
From the vineyard specialists enhancing the soil, pruning and nurturing the grapes to the tasting room staff welcoming guests with warmth and hospitality, our team exemplifies professionalism and care. Their collaboration and hard work form the foundation of our continued growth and excellence in every bottle we produce.
Marc Huntoon
Marc Huntoon, MD co-owner, vineyard and farm oversight
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Marc, a Michigan native, started his career after medical school with the US Navy on active duty in the Desert Storm era. After the Navy, he had an award winning 32-year career in academic Anesthesiology/Pain Medicine retiring in 2023 as a tenured professor. Marc was involved with various aspects of farming as a youth in Mid-Michigan and in 2012 while living in Franklin TN, south of Nashville, planted his first small vineyard and took several classes on winemaking and growing vinifera grapes. He and Elizabeth searched for several years and ultimately decided that the growing viticultural area of the Leelanau Peninsula offered the best place to fulfill their dreams of starting their own vineyard/winery and being closer to family. They aspire to produce world class wines and nutrient-dense foods from their own produce supplemented by other local sources. They utilize regenerative farming with organic techniques to promote human health. Learn more about Marc and follow him on LinkedIn.
elizabeth Huntoon, MS, MD co-owner, guest relations, wine club manager
Elizabeth Huntoon
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Elizabeth, also a Michigan native, attended CMU earning BS and Master’s degrees. Later, while working in the Neuroscience department at Eastern Virginia School of Medicine (while Marc was on active duty), she decided to apply to medical school and was quickly accepted. She was a ballet dancer through grade and high school and an avid cross country and track runner throughout her life. She recalls eating the balance of her diet from the large family garden and desires to bring that farm-to-table experience to others. Gilchrist Farm is named after her mother’s family, and Elizabeth’s wants to honor her legacy. Elizabeth is involved in virtually every aspect of the farm and winery. She desires to make Gilchrist Farm a beckoning location for fun, health, and family. Her love is medical acupuncture as well as giving regular lectures on food as medicine, foraged foods, spices and other nutraceutical therapies.
Laurel Huntoon soil scientist
Laurel Huntoon
Laurel is a graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, TN where she received her BBA in Economics and Business. Laurel was involved in our first vineyard and gardening efforts in Tennessee and did an internship with the US Dept. of Commerce during college focusing on the local distilled spirits communities, e.g. Jack Daniels. She moved to Leelanau County after her graduation to begin work in the wine industry, initially as a cellar technician and tasting room associate at local wineries. She began her extensive course of study in the Soil Food Web and oversees all aspects of our soil science program including, composting, vermiculture and organic amendments. See Laurel’s story on our Instagram.
Andrew Petrini farm superintendent and manager
Andrew Petrini
Andrew functions as our farm superintendent and helps with a wide range of activities, including pruning, composting, row mulching, tractor work, fertilization, assorted building and maintenance projects for the farm and tasting room. Previously he worked as a commercial builder, financial manager, and restauranteur and over the years has amassed a broad and practical array of talents.
Chef Joshua Sisco Executive chef
Joshua Sisco
Joshua bio and LinkedIn
JD Wilson Co-Executive Chef
Wilson Bio and LinkedIn
Noelle Riley
Noelle Riley
Noelle brings thoughtful care and local expertise to every celebration at Gilchrist Farm Winery. With a background in journalism, she collaborates with chefs and vintners to design customized menus, pairing local wines with hyper-local produce. Attentive, organized, and tuned to the rhythms of our farm, she ensures each private event — weddings, corporate gatherings, or family milestones — feels seamless, personal, and rooted in place.
tasting room manager
This manager runs the tasting room with quiet authority and keen guest intuition, pairing deep wine knowledge with warm, unobtrusive hospitality. Trained in hospitality, she curates seasonal flight selections, leads wine-paired events, explains tasting notes plainly, and manages staff, inventory, and the room’s atmosphere. She champions sustainability — cutting waste and promoting farm-to-table collaborations — and remembers repeat guests’ names and preferences, turning visitors into regulars.
April Uhlir brand and website
April is a designer and brand strategist who supports the farm’s marketing and online presence through ongoing collaboration. She brings a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach to help the team communicate clearly and grow with intention. She has contributed to the success of over 20 restaurant and hospitality concepts, including Bar Louie, and a range of independent businesses such as Printers Row Wine Shop. She asks you to kindly reach out with any feedback you may have about the Gilchrist Farm Winery website: