I'm Not Bright Enough, But You Could Win Wente Vineyards National Social Media Internship Competition

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FROM THE WIRES...

Wente Family Vineyards Launches National Social Media Internship Competition

The 143-Year-Old Legacy is Handing Over the Mic

LIVERMORE VALLEY, Calif. (March 5, 2026) – Wente Family Vineyards, America’s longest continuously operated family-owned winery, announced today the launch of its first-ever Social Media Internship Competition. In a bold move to bridge heritage with the modern zeitgeist, the 5th generation of the Wente family is searching for one digitally native storyteller to move to the Livermore Valley this summer and help redefine how an iconic American brand connects with a new generation.

This is far from a typical “coffee-run” internship. It is a paid immersive marketing masterclass and content-creator residency. The winner will receive competitive pay, provided housing in the scenic Livermore Valley, and unrestricted access to the inner workings of a multi-generational wine empire.

Wente Family Vineyards is looking for a “Social Media Storytelling Intern” who is fluent in TikTok and Instagram, knows what’s always trending, and is ready to peel back the curtain on what it’s like to run a 143-year-old winery in today’s ever-evolving climate. Working directly with Aly Wente, fifth-generation winegrower and Chief Revenue Officer, and the 5^th-generation leadership team—including Karl Wente, Niki Wente, Jordan Wente, and Christine Wente—the intern will be tasked with translating a history that dates back to 1883 into authentic, strategic video content.

“Wine is evolving, and so is the way its stories are told,” said Aly Wente. “We aren't just looking for someone to post photos of bottles; we’re looking for a creative partner to show the world what it’s actually like to run a family business in 2026. We want to hear the opinions, the behind-the-scenes reality, and the fresh perspectives that only a digital native creator can bring to the table.”

The selected candidate will spend May through September (dates can be flexible around applicants’ schedule and/or summer break) living and working in the heart of California’s Livermore Valley, which is just 35 miles east of San Francisco. Perks include:

·       Direct mentorship: One-on-one time with C-suite executives and brand leaders.

·       Portfolio building: Total creative freedom to execute a content strategy for a national brand.

·       The lifestyle: Housing provided by the winery, employee wine benefits, and access to winery tasting rooms, golf course and exclusive events, including our live music series, dinners, and more.

·       Career capital: A high-impact experience designed to launch a career in PR, digital marketing, or content creation.

Wente Family Vineyards is in an exciting period of growth, outpacing current category trends as the 14th-largest super-premium California wine brand in the United States.  In addition to a recent streak of critical accolades – including the number 5 global pick on Wine Spectator’s annual “Top 10 Values” list just last month – much of that success has been attributed to the 5^th generation’s strategic outreach to Gen Z and millennials, focusing on authenticity and sustainability; priorities that resonate with younger wine drinkers who increasingly care about how the brands they support align with their values. The recent switch to lighter-weight bottles and to convert Wente to 100% solar power drastically reduced their carbon footprint and helped achieve California’s most important sustainability accolade, The Green Medal Leader Award. Based on Wente’s success with a younger demographic, up-and-coming wine lovers are paying attention. This Social Media Intern will help capitalize on that interest and give it the platform it deserves.

How to Enter the Competition:

Wente Family Vineyards is bypassing traditional job boards in favor of a social-first application process. To apply, candidates must:

·       Submit a resume & cover letter via job listing the official landing page: https://wentevineyards.com/wente-social-media-internship/

·       Post a 30-second audition: Create an original TikTok or Instagram Reel showing how they would bring the Wente brand to life for an audience that might find wine intimidating.

·       Tag and hashtag: Tag @wente and use ##WenteSocialIntern

“We want to see how you tell a story,” added Wente. “Tell us what wine brands get wrong, or show us what ‘legacy’ looks like through your lens. Be bold, be opinionated, and show us your craft.”

Applications are open now through April 22, 2026. Finalists will be announced publicly during the first week of May, with the internship beginning in late May / early June.

For more information on the competition, eligibility, and how to apply, visit WenteVineyards.com/wente-social-media-internship

About Wente Family Vineyards:

Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards (pronounced Wen-tee) remains America’s longest, continuously family-owned and operated winery. Wente Family Vineyards has been celebrated for its industry-wide contributions to innovation and is owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The winery draws from certified sustainable estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding array of fine wines distributed in all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide.

• The Wentes are credited with being America’s “First Family of Chardonnay” since 1912, when Ernest Wente brought Chardonnay to America from Montpellier, France, to the Livermore Valley. Ernest hand-picked vines that showed the best health and pronounced flavors, grafted the two together and ultimately created what is now known as the ‘Wente Clone.’ Today, over 75% of all California Chardonnay stems from the Wente Clone and the Wente Family property.

• Wente also preserved what is now called the ubiquitous SB1 Clone of Sauvignon Blanc. They saved it from oblivion during Prohibition, and it was that very clone off their estate that made its way to New Zealand, Chile, Australia, and everywhere else in the New World that now grows Sauvignon Blanc.

• Wente was the first winery to release America’s first varietally labeled wines – before then, bottles of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Chardonnay had been erroneously labeled as “White Burgundy” etc, depriving the American wine consumer from understanding what it was they were actually drinking.

• Located just 35 miles east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Family Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, food and wine experiences, outdoor wine & music events, unparalleled wedding venues and The Course at Wente Vineyards, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Greg Norman. For more information, visit wentevineyards.com.