Experimental Porto | Head Sommelier

Infante Sagres Porto; Porto; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and career development

Mobility across venues / locations

Discounts across venues

Job summary

Experimental Porto is opening La Compagnie Porto, a new wine bar concept, within Hotel Experimental Porto Infante Sagres in Porto. We seek a Head Sommelier to oversee wine service, train the team, design wine programs with the hotel Executive Sommelier and F&B leadership, and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

You will lead service on the floor, manage stock, run tastings, and collaborate with departments to create memorable wine experiences while maintaining exceptional standards and warm

Qualifications

• Head Sommelier experience in a high-end restaurant or bar.
• Knowledge of Portuguese and international wines with a passion for discovery.
• Strong leadership and communication skills to guide a team during service.
• Excellent organization for wine service, stock, cellar operations and inventory.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends and public holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise wine service with consistency across the guest experience.
• Direct the wine bar team on the floor during service.
• Support the restaurant sommelier with wine service and wine list realization.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the wine selection and train the team.
• Run regular wine tastings, producer training and tastings events.
• Oversee wine service by the glass and stock management.
• Collaborate with Restaurant Supervisor, Bar Manager and other departments.
• Contribute to wine experiences, tastings, dinners and guest events.
• Keep wine areas and cellar facilities in excellent condition.
• Identify wine quality issues and manage cork taint / oxidation procedures.
• Lead by example with Experiential hospitality: knowledgeable, precise, warm.

Skills

Leadership

Wine knowledge

Staff training

Guest service

Inventory management

English communication

Portuguese language

Tools

POS systems

Job description

About Us

Founded in 2007 by childhood friends Olivier Bon, Pierre-Charles Cros, and Romée De Goriainoff, and joined by Xavier Padovani in 2010, Experimental has redefined the codes of hospitality by offering a unique experience of contemporary elegance and warmth to a discerning international clientele.

Renowned for bringing the cocktail bar culture to Paris, the group now operates cocktail bars, wine bars, restaurants and, since 2015, hotels.

Over the years, its destinations have expanded from major European capitals such as Paris, London, and Rome to more seasonal locations like Ibiza and Menorca in the summer, or Verbier and Val d’Isère in the winter. The group also has properties in Venice, New York, Biarritz, and the Cotswolds.

Experimental service philosophy is built around three core principles: the quality of the products, the precision of the service, and the genuine warmth of our welcome.

About La Compagnie Porto

Opening at the end of 2026 in the heart of Porto's historic city centre, La Compagnie Porto is the latest addition to Experimental* beloved portfolio of wine bars, following Paris, London and New York.

Nestled within Hotel Experimental Porto Infante Sagres, the city's first five-star hotel, and designed by interior designer Dorothée Meilichzon, La Compagnie Porto will celebrate discovery, generosity and the pleasure of great wine, championing exceptional labels alongside the finest of Portugal's own remarkable terroir.

Join Experimental and be part of an opening where passion, taste and the joy of hospitality come together on the Porto scene.

About The Position

As Head Sommelier, you will be responsible for overseeing the wine bar operation and supporting the restaurant wine team, ensuring an exceptional wine experience for our guests while supporting the team through leadership, training and knowledge sharing.

The Head Sommelier will report to the F&B manager, and work hand in hand with the Executive Sommelier, in charge of designing the wine menu for the hotel.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Lead and supervise the wine service, ensuring consistency and excellence across all stages of the guest experience, including presentation, opening, decanting, tasting and service by the glass.
• Lead the wine bar team on the floor during service.
• Support the restaurant Sommelier with the restaurant wine service.
• Ensure excellent knowledge of the wine selection across the team and continuously develop the team's wine knowledge and service skills.
• Run regular wine tastings and training sessions on producers, regions, grape varieties, winemaking, wine styles, food pairing and wine service.
• Ensure the correct management and service of wines by the glass
• Keep accurate stock and participate in regular inventories, investigating discrepancies, breakages and losses.
• Work closely with the Restaurant Supervisor, the Bar Manager and other departments to ensure a seamless and consistent guest experience.
• Contribute to the creation and execution of wine experiences, tastings, wine dinners and other guest events when required.
• Keep all work areas, wine service equipment and cellar facilities in excellent condition.
• Identify wine quality issues and ensure appropriate procedures are followed for defective wines, including cork taint and oxidation.
• Lead by example, embodying Experimental's approach to hospitality through a service that is knowledgeable, precise, warm and genuine.

About You

You have proven experience as a Head Sommelier within a high-end restaurant or bar, international experiences being a plus.

You have a knowledge of Portuguese and international wines, with a genuine passion for wine, hospitality and the discovery of new producers, regions and styles.

You have a good leadership and communication skills, with the ability to guide, motivate and develop a team while leading by example during service.

You have strong organizational skills and are comfortable managing wine service, wine lists, cellar operations, stock, purchasing and inventory.

You are attentive to detail, proactive and solutions-oriented, with a genuine focus on guest satisfaction and service excellence.

You communicate easily and professionally with both guests and colleagues, in Portuguese and English. Additional languages are considered an advantage.

Knowledge of Micros/POS systems would be an advantage.

Finally, you are available to work evenings, weekends and public holidays.

Experience the Experimental way!

Throughout your journey with us, you’ll be immersed in a stimulating and innovative environment.

You’ll join a dynamic group and grow alongside a diverse team of passionate professionals and recognized experts.

Whether it’s your first role or a new career opportunity, we take pride in recruiting, developing, and retaining the most motivated and talented individuals from all backgrounds and skill sets.

Here’s what we offer:

• Training and career development opportunities.
• Mobility possibilities across France, Italy, Switzerland, the US, the UK, the Balearic Islands, and more.
• Attractive discounts across all our venues (cocktail bars, wine bars, and restaurants).