Head Sommelier

Oetker Hotel Management Company GmbH; Florida; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan matching program

Training and development opportunities

Complimentary hotelier meals

Complimentary dry cleaning

Job summary

The Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach seeks a Head Sommelier to oversee our wine and beverage program, advise guests on pairings, and lead a gifted service team in a luxury setting. You will curate the wine list, train sommeliers and front-of-house colleagues, and collaborate with the culinary team to elevate every guest experience.

With at least three years of luxury hospitality experience, a Sommelier certification, and fluency in English, you will drive wine program excellence, manage procurement,

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of work experience in a similar capacity with luxury hotel standards.
• Certification as a Sommelier or degree in Food and Beverage in Hospitality.
• Deep knowledge of wines, vineyards, the winemaking process, spirits, and pairings, as well as the ability to train and lead a team of sommeliers and service hoteliers.

Responsibilities

• Greet, interact, and engage with guests to ensure an exceptional wine experience with personalized recommendations.
• Provide expert wine pairings and explanations based on menu and guest preferences.
• Ensure flawless wine service from presenting the bottle to pouring and decanting older wines.
• Conduct and assist with special wine-focused events and tastings to enhance guest engagement.
• Train front-of-house teams on wine service techniques and pairing principles.

Skills

Wine knowledge

Team leadership

Customer service

Fluent English

Education

Sommelier Certification or Hospitality Degree

Tools

Wine procurement management

Wine list curation

Job description

The Vineta Hotel - situated in the heart of Palm Beach, in homage to an illustrious history dating back 100 years, The Vineta Hotel has been restored to its former splendor and reopens shortly in a familiar location. Two blocks away from Worth Avenue in the heart of Palm Beach, The Vineta embodies the elegant, artistic life of a destination famed for its restaurant scene, designer boutiques and noteworthy galleries. The hotel is the first in the US to join the Oetker Hotels portfolio.

Originally called The Vineta Hotel, this landmark dates back to 1926 and is a fine example of Mediterranean Revival architecture seen throughout the destination.

A top-to-bottom renovation marks an opportune moment to bring back the original name of this establishment, The Vineta, to clearly mark a bold new chapter in its history. Combining stylish décor with contemporary comfort and the city’s most coveted social setting, complemented by world-class cuisine and unrivalled service, the property will quickly be established as the pinnacle of hospitality in Palm Beach

The Vineta Hotel invites you to join its teams and offers you the best opportunities for career and development within the amazing Oetker Hotels.

Missions :

The Head Sommelier is responsible for overseeing the restaurant's wine and beverage program, recommends food and wine pairings, and advises guests on wine selections based on their preferences and food choices, ensuring guests have an exceptional wine experience that complements their meal.

Profile :

• Greet, interact, and engage with guests to ensure they have an exceptional wine experience, making personalized wine recommendations and answering any questions regarding the wine list.

• Provide expert wine pairings with dishes, explaining the qualities of the wines to guests and making recommendations based on personal taste, meal choice, or dietary restrictions.

• Ensure that wine service is flawless, from presenting the bottle to pouring and managing the decanting of older wines or fine bottles. Ensuring that hoteliers are trained in seasonal wine promotions, wine and food pairing, and the current wine list offerings.

• Conduct and assist with special events, providing tailored wine lists and helping plan wine-focused experiences for special occasions, private dining, wine dinners, tastings, and special pairing evenings, to create unique experiences and drive guest engagement.

• Create and update wine training materials to train and mentor front-of-house hoteliers (including sommeliers, servers, and bartenders) on the proper wine service techniques, pairing principles, and wine knowledge.

• Monitor the performance of sommeliers and service hoteliers, providing ongoing coaching and feedback to maintain the highest standards of wine service.

• Curate and manage the restaurant's wine list, ensuring a well-rounded selection that aligns with the restaurant’s concept, cuisine, and guests preferences.

• Develop and update wine offerings regularly, introducing new wines and managing seasonal selections to keep the list fresh and appealing.

• Manage and track wine procurement by establishing and maintaining relationships with wine suppliers, distributors, and vineyard owners, overseeing the wine budget, ensuring cost control and profitability while maintaining high-quality offerings.

• Select wines by the glass, considering customer trends, profitability, and the ability to pair with the menu offerings.

• Manage wine storage to ensure proper aging conditions (temperature, humidity, light exposure), organization, and rotation of stock in line with best practices.

• Track and report wine sales and stock levels, providing regular analysis to management on the performance of the wine program, identifying top sellers, and suggesting adjustments when necessary.

• Collaborate with the Chef and culinary team to ensure that wine pairings complement the restaurant’s menu and suggest any changes or improvements to pairings when necessary.

• Ensure compliance with all legal, health and safety regulations regarding alcohol service, including verifying guest IDs and adhering to responsible alcohol service guidelines.

• Manage guest complaints or special requests promptly and professionally, escalating to management, if necessary, to ensure a positive experience.

• Lead by example building morale and spirit, interacting positively with hoteliers and guests, fostering teamwork and collaboration among hoteliers.

• Ensure that personal appearance and hygiene standards are an example for the team and reflect a professional image for our guests.

• Inspire an elevated level of creativity, personal commitment to service excellence and an emotional sense of gracious hospitality to enhance the restaurant’s luxury ambience.

What you bring:

• Minimum 3 years of work experience in a similar capacity with an understanding of luxury hotel standards of service.

• Certification as a Sommelier or degree in Food and Beverage in Hospitality.

• Deep knowledge of wines, vineyards, the winemaking process, spirits, and pairings, as well as the ability to train and lead a team of sommeliers and service hoteliers.

• Fluent in English; other languages considered an asset.

• Full-Time position.

• Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays.

• Must be able to reach, bend, balance and transport various objects weighing up to 50 lbs. repeatedly during a shift.

Benefits :

Competitive Salary
Employer paid health benefits package
401(k) plan matching program
Comprehensive overall compensation package (PTO, holidays)
Excellent Training and Development opportunities with Oetker Hotels
Complimentary Hotelier Meals
Complimentary Dry Cleaning

The Vineta Hotel is an Equal Opportunity, Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. To access the 'EEOC is The Law' Information poster please visit this website - https://eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf