How to Write a Sommelier Job Description (Duties, Responsibilities)

How to Write a Sommelier Job Description (Duties, Responsibilities)

Although enjoying a glass of wine is easy, all the labels, terroirs, and price points can make choosing a bottle at a restaurant very challenging. Enter the Sommelier. This is the person in charge of a restaurant’s wine cellar. They provide a wine road map of sorts, sharing their deep knowledge of wines so patrons can select the perfect vintage to accompany their meal. 

The Sommelier also pours the wine, which sounds straightforward, but there are tricks to this, too. For instance, a Sommelier makes sure the label always faces out so guests can see what is being poured. In addition to advising on food and wine pairings, the Sommelier will work closely with the chefs or general manager to create and update the wine list. Occasionally all other beverages, alcoholic or not, fall into the Sommelier job description.

We’ll cut to the chase: Wine knowledge is the most essential skill for this position. Sommeliers have various levels of certification, requiring many tests and tastings. The most coveted title is Master Sommelier, which involves more than three years of intensive training. There are other certification levels, from introductory to advanced, and professionals with these credentials can bring incredible expertise and wine guidance to your restaurant. Lastly, there are “wine waiters” who are not certified Sommeliers but can undoubtedly fill the position depending on how experienced and knowledgeable they are.

List of Duties for the Job

Communication

Maybe one table is celebrating and wants to splurge on a trophy wine. Another table may want a crowd-pleaser without busting their budget. Savvy Sommeliers choose wines by assessing customers’ tastes. In a busy restaurant setting, this is no small feat. They must ask pointed questions, listen carefully to customer responses, and suggest a correct match to provide taste and value for the money.  It’s also essential that the Sommelier can describe wines in a way the average customer will understand. If you’ve ever been asked, “Do you like fruity, grassy wines with tomato leaf notes?” you know that wine lingo abounds. That’s why Sommeliers often offer sample sips, as tasting impressions are formed quickly with wine — and that’s all part of communication. The goal is for customers to feel comfortable with the wine list and their choice.

Wine and food knowledge

A Sommelier should possess detailed technical knowledge of specific vintages and vineyards. But they should also be a big-picture thinker. The world of wine is vast, spanning many countries and regions, each with its own distinct terroir. Ideal candidates will be detail-oriented and perfectionists about their wine. They’ll know which Riesling holds its freshness after opening and which Cab is the most food-versatile.  What’s more, trends are constantly emerging, from biodynamic wines to organic and even low-sugar. It all adds up to this: a Sommelier should continuously learn, taste, and research.

Inventory management

Candidates for this position will know how to navigate the significant bureaucracy involved in wine buying. With prices and availability of wines fluctuating from state to state due to tax rates and legal requirements, staying on top of what’s available can be a daunting task. 

The Sommelier must build strong relationships with sales reps for large vineyards and one-on-one connections with boutique wineries to ensure their wine list is exciting and dynamic. Attending tastings hosted by distributors or trade organizations will be a required part of the job.

Sommelier Job Description Sample

To make it easier to create a Sommelier job description, here’s a sample you can use.

Job Title: Sommelier

Salary: $40,000 to $120,000 per year

Tip Income: No

Schedule: Full-Time (40 hours per week), Wed–Sunday

Role: We seek a dynamic and talented Sommelier to join our award-winning team. Demonstrating a true passion for wine and food, the Sommelier will work with General Manager to curate our top-notch wine program to enhance the guest experience. Keen attention to detail and a background in fine dining are key qualifications.

• Sell wine on the restaurant floor

• Advise on wine and food pairings for guests

• Execute proper wine service technique

• Curate and update the wine list

• Work with General Manager to maintain a top-notch beverage program that meets revenue goals

• Monitor wine inventory

• Maintain wine cellar

• Oversee glassware inventory

• Establish relationships with vendors and negotiate prices

• Attend distributor tastings and trade events

• Conduct ongoing staff training for wine

• Organize and execute wine-tasting events

Additional requirements: Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds and stand for long periods.

Tips for Writing Effective Job Descriptions 

• Highlight the best aspects of your restaurant culture and any special job perks, such as robust benefits and educational opportunities.

• Consider using video in conjunction with your job listing. A short clip can bring the energy and vibe of your restaurant to life, making your job listing stand out among the crowd.

• To attract a wide array of candidates, check your job listing for unintentionally biased language to avoid being, say, too male or too millennial. Services like Textio can help you choose inclusive phrasing.

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The Sommelier profession is a small, exclusive world. That old maxim rings true: it’s all about who you know. To find candidates for such a specialized position, supplement your search efforts with networking in the industry. Spread the word that you’re looking to fill the role, and consider reaching out to professional wine and spirits recruiters.

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