Sommelier

Amisfield; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking on-site

Healthcare cover

Staff discounts on products and meals

Wellbeing support

Free staff meals

Job summary

Amisfield in Central Otago, New Zealand, seeks a passionate Sommelier to join our Michelin-star team. You will provide expert wine service, craft accurate pairings with our cuisine, and help manage our wine program and cellar operations.

You will train staff, support wine sales, and coordinate with the Restaurant Manager and winemakers to elevate guest experiences. A strong wine knowledge base and world-class hospitality are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 months relevant experience in wine hospitality and/or sales, sommelier role preferred.
• Certified Sommelier or WSET qualification (Level 3 preferred).
• Love of wine with a global perspective and strong customer engagement.

Responsibilities

• Maintain extensive knowledge of Amisfield wines and train staff to translate it to guests.
• Facilitate wine training with staff and management for consistent delivery.
• Develop and deliver the wine program and list direction, including library and new releases.
• Interact with guests on bottle purchases, glass pours, and degustation pairings.
• Collaborate with culinary and management teams to create wine pairings and thoughtful service.

Skills

Wine knowledge

Wine service

Sales skills

Hospitality experience

Education

WSET Level 3

Certified Sommelier

Job description

Join the newly awarded Michelin star team at Amisfield, an enchanting world where vineyard and restaurant unite in taste and terrior. Nestled amidst the breath-taking landscapes of Central Otago, New Zealand, Amisfield is not just a place – it's an experience. As pioneers in sustainable winemaking, our commitment to organic practices and preserving the land runs deep in every vine and dish we craft. Amisfield’s culinary philosophy is rooted in storytelling, drawing on the landscapes, wild ingredients, and cultural narratives of Aotearoa. The experience is finished with curated wine pairings from our single-estate, organic vineyard nestled beneath the Pisa Range.

Embark on an adventure of the senses with us as we uncork the spirit of Amisfield, one sip and bite at a time.

About the Role

We’re looking for a passionate, engaging Sommelier to join our dynamic team. You will be a knowledgeable and engaging wine professional, working as part of our sommelier team to create an authentic, memorable wine experience for our customers.

You will play an important role in showcasing Amisfield wines in the best possible light by providing exceptional wine service and accurate wine and food matches to our customers. You will have extensive knowledge in both local and international food and beverage and be able to make informed wine recommendations while taking into consideration guests’ individual preferences and the restaurant’s strategic direction. You will contribute to the restaurant’s daily wine needs as well as the restaurant wine cellaring program, working closely with the sommelier team, Cellar Door and Sales and Marketing teams.

You will have extensive knowledge in both international and national wine labels, their varieties and how they pair with our cuisine.

The role will see you required to:

• Maintain extensive knowledge of all wines currently sold at Amisfield while transferring that information to staff in a way they can understand and translate to their customers.
• Assist with facilitating wine training with staff in collaboration with the senior restaurant management team and winemakers to ensure information presented is delivered in a way that enables all staff (with varying wine knowledge and experience) to learn and improve upon their wine skills.
• Contribute to and support the development and delivery of our wine program and wine list direction – fine wines, library list, core wines and our new releases.
• Interact with customers on all wine bottle purchases and glass pours, as well as degustation matching.
• Stay up to date with current, local and international trends and developments in the wine industry, as well as stay informed about Amisfield wine information.
• Support wine sales and work with the team to secure new members for our Wine Club.
• Ensure our team is knowledgeable and confident with our beverage descriptions and how they relate to our food.
• Work closely with the Restaurant Manager and sommelier team on coordinating Amisfield lists.
• Collaborate with the culinary team, senior restaurant management team and winemakers to create wine pairings that enhance the dining experience and ensure proper service of wine.
• Support effective cost control of wines, ensuring stock takes, transfers and ullages are all recorded accurately to ensure minimal wastage.
• Complete both administrative and service duties.

You’ll work alongside an experienced sommelier team, contributing your knowledge and perspective while continuing to develop your own expertise in a collaborative, high-performing environment.

About Amisfield

We are a Central Otago icon – a 92-hectare, single-vineyard estate producing world-class Pinot Noir and aromatic whites with remarkable characteristics. And we’re proud to be recognised as:

• Michelin Star – awarded to our restaurant
• Riedel Vineyard of the Year – Aotearoa Organic Wine Awards 2024
• Sustainable Vineyard of the Year – NZ Organic Wine Awards 2023
• Winery of the Year in both 2022 and 2020

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a minimum of 12 months relevant experience in wine hospitality and/or sales, with experience in a sommelier role preferred and experience with both New Zealand and international wines.
• Certified Sommelier or WSET qualification (or equivalent), preferably Level 3
• Has a genuine love of wine and a thirst to learn more.
• Enjoys engaging with people from all over the world and creating memorable experiences.
• Is confident and compelling when it comes to selling our wine, sales experience would be ideal.
• Is a collaborative team player who is confident sharing their knowledge and supporting colleagues to maintain high standards.
• Is a proactive and positive team player with strong communication and organisational skills.
• Is passionate about and committed to the hospitality industry.
• (Bonus!) Duty Manager’s Certificate would be an advantage.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work within one of New Zealand's leading restaurant and wine businesses.
• A professional and supportive environment with a strong focus on quality and development.
• Successful candidates will be offered competitive remuneration, great working hours and the opportunity to progress in their career.
• The role is full-time permanent, with a minimum of 30 hours guaranteed per week, with flexibility to work rostered shifts, including weekends and public holidays.

And there’s a barrel of additional benefits to working as part of this team – you won’t be fighting the traffic, there’s free parking on-site, healthcare cover, staff discounts on our products and services, wellbeing support, and free staff meals.

This position is available for an immediate start.

Applicants for this position should ideally have NZ citizenship/residency or a NZ work visa with a minimum of 6 months validity.