Cider Tasting and Tour Guide

The Newt in Somerset; Bruton; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Life Cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Spa access and 50% off Spa Treatments

Gym and wellbeing classes

Cycle to Work scheme

Complimentary staff meal

30% staff discount and free online-del

Garden membership

Newt Awards

30% restaurant discount

Job summary

The Newt in Somerset is seeking a Cyder Tasting & Tour Guide to bring our cyder story to life for visitors, leading tours and tastings. You’ll master cyders, orchards, and estate lore, while delivering warm, informative guest experiences in a premium setting.

You’ll manage the Cyder Tasting Room daily, ensure presentation standards, and help guests discover Cyder Club benefits and other estate experiences. Strong storytelling and organisation are essential.

Qualifications

• Genuine sustained interest in cyder and Somerset.
• Experience in guest-facing hospitality or visitor experience.
• Natural storyteller who can make detailed information engaging.
• Curiosity about cyders, orchards and the estate.
• Warm, professional and confident; adaptable to different guests.

Responsibilities

• Lead Cyder Cellar tours and hosted tastings.
• Tell the cyder story from orchard to production.
• Develop knowledge of cyders, orchards and vintages.
• Own the Cyder Tasting Room operations daily.
• Maintain high cleanliness and presentation.
• Engage guests and promote Cyder Club membership.
• Support cellar door sales through recommendations.
• Deliver other visitor experiences when required.

Skills

Guest-facing hospitality

Storytelling

Time management

Organisation

Direct sales

Job description

Cyder Tasting & Tour Guide

£30,000 per annum plus commission and fantastic benefits

40 hours per week across 5 days, including regular weekends. Predominantly daytime hours with flexibility for ad-hoc evenings.

Due to the location of the Estate, a driving licence is recommended for this role.

Advert closes: Tuesday 20th October at 5pm

From orchard to glass, bring Somerset’s centuries-old cyder story to life.

Our Cyder Tasting & Tour Guide

If you love cyder and are fascinated by the story behind every glass, this is a chance to immerse yourself in one of Somerset’s best-loved traditions. In Somerset, cyder is part of the landscape, the seasons and a centuries-old tradition of apple growing and cyder making. At The Newt, that story begins in our orchards with Somerset-grown apples and continues through fermentation, maturation and bottling to create cyders that are distinctly Somerset.

As our Cyder Tasting & Tour Guide, you’ll be the person who brings that story to life. Hosting tours or tastings each day, you’ll create engaging and memorable experiences that connect every glass back to the orchards, craftsmanship and landscape it came from.

You’ll take ownership of the Cyder Tasting Room experience from preparation through to clear-down, ensuring every detail is beautifully presented. Along the way, you’ll build an impressive knowledge of our cyders and the wider estate, helping guests discover new favourites, explore Cyder Club membership and experience even more of what The Newt has to offer.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead engaging Cyder Cellar tours and hosted tastings that guests remember long after their visit.
• Bring the story of cyder to life, from orchard and harvest through to production, provenance and its deep-rooted connection to Somerset.
• Develop detailed knowledge of our cyders, orchards, production methods, vintages and wider estate stories.
• Take day-to-day ownership of the Cyder Tasting Room, preparing and resetting tables, glassware, cyder and food accompaniments.
• Maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness, presentation and organisation while monitoring tasting stock and materials.
• Create a warm and informative environment, adapting your storytelling and approach to different guests and groups.
• Introduce guests to Cyder Club membership and support cellar door sales through genuine, knowledgeable recommendations.
• Build your knowledge of the wider estate and deliver other visitor experiences, including garden, farm and deer park tours when required.

What we can offer

• A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
• Peace of mind with Employee Life Cover, providing your nominated loved one with 2x your salary.
• Support from our Employee Assistance Programme, including unlimited 24/7 remote GP appointments for you and your family.
• Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% off Spa Treatments.
• Stay in shape with complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes.
• Access to our Cycle to Work scheme, supporting wellbeing and sustainable commuting.
• Complimentary staff meal when onsite – crafted by our dedicated kitchen team, often featuring fresh produce from our estate.
• Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
• Complimentary garden membership for The Newt and our partner gardens, including the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
• We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our colleague recognition programme – Newt Awards, with the opportunity to achieve amazing rewards, including a complimentary Hotel Stay.
• Discover exclusive perks with discounted hotel stays for staff, accompanied by a 30% discount at our restaurants.
• A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities, including Fun Squad events.
• Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team.

What we’re looking for

• A genuine and sustained interest in cyder, its production, provenance and connection to Somerset.
• Experience in a guest-facing hospitality, tour or visitor experience role.
• A natural storyteller who can make detailed information engaging, accessible and memorable for different audiences.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for learning about our cyders, orchards and the wider estate.
• A warm, professional and confident approach, with the ability to adapt to different guests and groups.
• Strong organisation and time-management skills, with the ability to maintain exceptional standards across several experiences in one day.
• Confidence working independently while collaborating closely with colleagues and continually building your knowledge.
• Experience of guided tours, tastings, drinks production or direct sales would be an advantage.

Cyder at The Newt

Cyder is an important part of The Newt in Somerset’s visitor experience, sharing the journey of cyder from orchard and harvest through to fermentation, maturation and bottling. The team brings to life Somerset’s long tradition of apple growing and cyder making, while presenting cyder with the same consideration given to fine wine, with a focus on provenance, vintage, terroir and craft.

The Newt uses the traditional spelling ‘cyder’, reflecting the estate’s Georgian origins and the history of cyder making in England. Produced from apples grown in Somerset, our cyders reflect the season and the orchards from which they originate, giving each vintage its own character and sense of place.

Through tours, tastings and storytelling, the team help guests understand the connection between the orchards, the cyder-making process and the wider estate, while supporting cellar door sales and Cyder Club membership.

Who are we- The Newt in Somerset

Nestled within an expanse of rolling fields and steeped in ancient history, our luxury country estate stands as a haven of refined elegance, inviting guests to explore acres of captivating gardens, meandering pathways, and enriching exhibitions - accessible 364 days a year for our members. Our hotel extends a warm welcome, offering a home-away-from-home experience where impeccable service flourishes in an ambiance of unassuming sophistication. Beyond the estate, the Newt's essence remains tangible, with our Ecommerce teams delivering our finest products to homes, while media and membership endeavours keep them informed of our latest developments. Behind the scenes, a tapestry of talented teams - from Housekeeping to HR, Finance to Farming - collaborates harmoniously, crafting an unforgettable journey of growth, development, and innovation, where every contribution creates unparalleled experiences.

INDAVR