Assistant Sommelier - Winter Seasonal

Sonnenalp; Vail (CO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Resort Discounts

Holiday Pay & Sick Pay

401(k) Retirement Plan & Roth 401(k)

Job summary

The Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail, CO, invites applications for a Full-Time Seasonal Assistant Sommelier for the 2026-2027 winter season. You will assist the Sonnenalp Sommelier with wine service for our Swiss Chalet and luxury dining venues, train staff, and contribute to elevating guest wine experiences.

You’ll work varied shifts, learn wine programs, and participate in Sonnenalp Wine Academy, with opportunities to sharpen service standards and wine knowledge in a premier luxury environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Degree in restaurant/hotel management is preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years in upscale Food & Beverage roles is desirable.
• Preferably 2+ years’ experience selling fine wine.

Responsibilities

• Attend to wine guests and provide professional wine sales assistance and service.
• Support the Sommelier and Swiss Chalet staff during peak periods.
• Prepare wine mise-en-place and maintain wine storage, lists, glassware, and decanters.
• Attend daily briefings with FOH staff and Sommelier before service.
• Teach Sonnenalp Wine Academy to ensure high-quality service.
• Update wine lists and manage wine requisitions and inventory.
• Assist in monthly wine inventory and review financial performance of wine programs.
• Attend pre-shift meetings regularly.

Skills

Wine sales & service

Staff leadership

Hospitality excellence

MS Office

Level 1 Sommelier (CMS)

Education

High school diploma or GED

Hospitality degree preferred

Tools

Squirrel POS

MS Office

Job description

Turn your passion for wine into an unforgettable winter experience. The Sonnenalp Hotel is seeking a knowledgeable and service-driven Full-Time Seasonal Assistant Sommelier to join our award-winning Food & Beverage team for the 2026-2027 winter season. Working alongside our culinary and service teams, you'll help curate exceptional wine experiences while delivering personalized service to guests in one of Vail's premier luxury dining destinations.

Application Deadline: Hiring will occur on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted until October 1st or until the positions are filled.

Winter Seasonal Dates: 11/04/2026 - 4/11/2027 - Can change based on business levels.

The job of the Assistant Sommelier is to assist the Sonnenalp Sommelier by attending to all potential Swiss Chalet wine guests during peak periods of service. The Assistant Sommelier will act as additional support for the service team during periods when wine needs have already been met. The Assistant Sommelier will conduct themselves and hold all other co-workers accountable to the highest service standards set by the Sonnenalp Hotel, Court of Master Sommeliers and LHW. The Assistant Sommelier is to act as a leader, wine educator, and role model for staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Able to work a variety of shifts, often late into the evening.
• Communicates on a daily basis with the Sommelier and Swiss Chalet Manager to review reservations taken and learn of any upcoming reservation regarding wine.
• Works the Swiss Chalet Restaurant floor, providing professional wine sales assistance, along with providing professional wine service. During idle times, will be required to assist the Swiss Chalet staff in one or all the following duties: back waiter, hosting, reservationist, bus, bar service, polishing etc.
• Responds in a timely fashion to all internal and external mail.
• Attends and occasionally holds daily briefings with the Swiss Chalet FOH staff and Sommelier before start of operation.
• Prepares all wine Mise-En-Place on a daily basis before and after service: Wine storage, Cleans and Updates Wine List, Glassware, Serviettes, Decanters, Ice Buckets, Wine BTG, etc.
• Attends, and occasionally teaches, Sonnenalp Wine Academy for all Food & Beverage staff on a regular basis to ensure high quality service.
• Correctly fills all F&B department outlets’ wine requisition on Hotel Sommelier’s days of
• Occasionally is responsible for putting away purchased wine deliveries
• Prints, writes and makes changes to all wine lists as needed when directed by Hotel Sommelier
• The Assistant Sommelier is required to assist in the monthly wine inventory.
• She/he reviews the financial performance of all restaurants regarding wine and makes suggestions to further improve the financial performance to the Sommelier.
• The Assistant Sommelier is expected to attend pre-shift meetings on a regular basis

Education/Experience

• High school diploma or GED
• The ideal candidate for this position has a degree in restaurant/hotel management and/or has worked in a food and beverage position in an upscale Hotel/Restaurant for a minimum of 2 years.
• Preferably a minimum 2 years’ experience selling fine wine.

Special Skills/Equipment

• Adequate level of skill with use of common computer systems including all Office products
• Preferably is Level 1 certified through The Court of Master Sommeliers and actively studying towards Level 2 certified Sommelier qualification.
• Physically demanding position requiring ability to walk, stand, stoop, kneel, lift objects up to 40 lbs
• Knowledge of Squirrel POS system preferred

Seasonal & Part-Time Benefits:

• Resort Discounts
• Holiday Pay & Sick Pay
• 401(k) Retirement Plan & Roth 401(k) *After one year and 1000 hours worked

The Sonnenalp is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture.
The Sonnenalp does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.