Head Sommelier

Zuma Restaurant; Vail, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

World-class wine program

Staff training & development

Health benefits

Employee meals

Staff discounts

Job summary

Zuma Restaurant in Colorado (Vail) is seeking a Head Sommelier to curate and manage the wine program, elevating the guest dining experience with expert wine and sake selections. You’ll lead tastings, inventory, and staff training while partnering with the culinary team on wine pairing and service excellence.

Ideal candidates will have a Certified Sommelier or higher certification and prior fine dining experience with a deep knowledge of wine regions and service etiquette.

Qualifications

• Certified Sommelier or higher certification preferred.
• Previous experience as a Sommelier in a fine dining restaurant or similar upscale establishment.
• Passion for culinary experiences, especially Japanese cuisine.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop an extensive wine list aligned with Zuma's cuisine and standards.
• Conduct regular tastings and evaluations of wines for quality, value, and list inclusion.
• Conduct weekly inventory to ensure accurate stock levels.
• Collaborate with culinary team to develop wine pairings and guide guests on wine and sake selections.
• Oversee wine service standards and train staff to ensure proper storage, handling and service.
• Lead wine training sessions to increase staff knowledge of wine and sake.
• Support on-the-floor operations to ensure smooth service.

Skills

Wine knowledge

Wine pairing

Staff training

Guest service

Education

Sommelier certification

Job description

As a Zuma Head Sommelier, you are responsible for curating and managing the wine program to enhance the dining experience for our guests. You will use your expertise in wine& sake selection, and service to elevate the overall beverage program and contribute to the success of our restaurant.

Zuma is a contemporary Japanese restaurant collection, inspired by the dynamic Izakaya dining style. Our global collection includes four venues across North America's most iconic cities: Miami, New York, Las Vegas, and Boston. Our venues are icons in each of their hospitality landscapes, demonstrating our commitment to excellence and to elevating our guest experiences. Zuma in proud to be part of the Azumi collection.

Tuesday, November 4th | 10:00–18:00 (MDT)

The Sebastian – Vail

How it works:

• Interviewslots available throughout the day (10am–6pm)
• Confirmattendance to secure your slot; an invite will be sent with details
• Walk-insare welcome, but priority is given to confirmed attendees, so to avoid anydelays, please confirm a time slot where possible

At Zuma, we're more than a restaurant – we're a vibrant community fuelled by the energy that flows from our Robata grills, guided by our core values:

Honor the Mastery - we celebrate every detail, always striving for perfection – putting pride in everything we do

Do Unto Others - we support each other to be at our best, treating every team member and guest with warmth and openness

Embrace the Energy - we bring passion and positivity to everything we do

Main Duties

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Maintain and develop an extensive and diverse wine list that complements the cuisine and reflects the style and standards of Zuma, ensuring that it offers a broad selection of wines to suit different preferences and occasions
• Conduct regular tastings and evaluations of new and existing wines to assess quality, value, and suitability for inclusion in the wine list, taking into account factors such as flavor profile, region, vintage, and price point
• Conduct weekly inventory assessments to ensure accurate stock levels
• Collaborate with the culinary team to develop wine pairing, guidance and expertise to guests to enhance their dining experience and promote sales of wine, sake and other beverages
• Oversee wine service standards and procedures, ensuring that wines are stored, handled, and served according to best practices to preserve quality and enhance the guest experience, and training and coaching staff as needed to maintain high standards of service
• Conduct wine training and education sessions for staff to increase their knowledge and understanding of wine and sake, including grape varietals, production methods, tasting techniques, and service etiquette, to enhance their ability to engage with guests and sell wine effectively
• Support overall restaurant operations by assisting on the floor, including clearing tables, running food and drinks, and other tasks as needed to ensure smooth service

What We Look For

Our ideal candidate embodies our values and the following:

• A genuine love for culinary experiences & a passion for Japanese cuisine
• Proven experience as Host or a similar role in a luxury high-volume restaurant
• A natural team player who is at home working in sync with a large team
• Naturally friendly, customer-oriented, and skilled at creating memorable dining experiences
• Certified Sommelier or higher certification preferred, with a deep knowledge of wine regions, grape varietals, production methods, and wine service techniques
• Previous experience as a Sommelier in a fine dining restaurant or similar upscale establishment
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required

We offer incredible career growth, international opportunities, and the chance to contribute to a world-renowned brand, where every detail from the finest ingredients to our unrivalled atmosphere is crafted to perfection.

As part of our team, you’ll enjoy:

• World-Class training, designed to inspire and educate
• Global opportunities, experience hospitality around the globe with our five incredible brands
• Health Benefits:Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance to ensure your well-being.
• Family Meals are shared daily
• Rewards & Recognition, we value our team and celebrate your contributions to our success with meaningful rewards and recognition
• Staff discount,enjoy exclusive discounts across the Azumi group, worldwide!

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applicants. If you require any assistance to make the recruitment process more accessible, please let one of our Talent Acquisition team know.

We use eVerify to confirm U.S. Employment eligibility.