Sommelier: Full Time

Description

SUMMARY

The Sommelier is responsible for creating an exceptional wine experience for guests through knowledgeable, personalized, and gracious service. This role supports the restaurant and beverage operations by guiding wine selections, maintaining wine standards, assisting with cellar and inventory management, educating the service team, and performing Server responsibilities based on business needs.

The ideal candidate combines strong wine knowledge with genuine hospitality, professionalism, attention to detail, and the flexibility to support overall restaurant operations to ensure an exceptional guest experience.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide knowledgeable and personalized wine recommendations based on guest preferences, menu selections, occasion, and budget.
• Present, open, decant, and serve wine according to established service standards.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the wine list, including producers, regions, varietals, vintages, styles, and pricing.
• Maintain strong knowledge of food and wine pairings and collaborate with the culinary and service teams to enhance the overall dining experience.
• Assist with maintaining and organizing wine cellars, storage areas, and service stations.
• Monitor wine inventory, availability, proper storage conditions, and product rotation.
• Assist with receiving wine deliveries and verifying products when required.
• Communicate low inventory, vintage changes, unavailable selections, and other beverage updates to leadership and the service team.
• Support wine list updates, seasonal selections, special events, wine dinners, tastings, and other beverage programming.
• Conduct or assist with ongoing wine education and pre-shift training for the service team.
• Build positive relationships with guests while recognizing preferences and opportunities to personalize service.
• Support responsible alcohol service and follow all applicable liquor laws and company policies.
• Maintain clean, organized, and properly stocked wine service areas.
• Collaborate with restaurant leadership, culinary teams, bartenders, servers, and other departments to provide seamless guest experiences.
• Perform Server duties and responsibilities based on business and operational needs, including taking food and beverage orders, entering orders accurately, delivering food and beverages, monitoring table progression, clearing and resetting tables, processing guest checks, and ensuring timely and attentive service throughout the dining experience.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of menus, ingredients, preparation methods, allergens, daily specials, and restaurant offerings in order to confidently answer guest questions and make recommendations.
• Support assigned sections or provide additional floor coverage during high-volume periods, staffing needs, special events, or as directed by restaurant leadership.
• Assist fellow service team members proactively to maintain efficient service and ensure all guests receive consistent hospitality regardless of assigned station or primary role.
• Perform additional duties consistent with the position as assigned by management.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Previous sommelier, wine service, or upscale restaurant experience preferred.
• Previous restaurant serving experience and familiarity with elevated service standards preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of domestic and international wines, major wine regions, grape varieties, producers, vintages, and service techniques.
• Sommelier certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers, WSET, or another recognized wine education organization preferred.
• Excellent communication and guest-service skills.
• Professional, polished, and approachable demeanor.
• Ability to describe wine clearly without making the experience intimidating or overly technical.
• Ability to perform both Sommelier and Server responsibilities effectively based on operational needs.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented hospitality environment.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events as business needs require.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to safely carry wine bottles, glassware, trays, food, beverages, and cases as required.
• Ability to bend, reach, lift, and perform other physical activities associated with restaurant, serving, and cellar operations.

Service Expectations

The Sommelier is expected to deliver warm, intuitive, and refined hospitality while making each guest feel comfortable and recognized. Wine knowledge should enhance the guest experience rather than overshadow it, with recommendations delivered confidently, naturally, and without pretension.

The Sommelier is also expected to demonstrate flexibility and a team-first approach by performing Server responsibilities when business needs require. Regardless of assignment, the priority is to provide seamless, attentive, and personalized service while supporting the success of the entire restaurant team.