Private Client & DTC Sales Manager

Tasting Room Expo; Santa Rosa (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell Vineyards seeks a Private Client Manager to drive direct-to-consumer growth and brand equity through elite client networks and high-net-worth relationships. The role blends luxury hospitality with proactive sales across national markets, with hybrid on-site winery work and travel up to 50%.

The ideal candidate brings 5–10 years in premium wine sales, a refined sales mindset, and the ability to operate autonomously within a small, close-knit winery team.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years in premium wine sales/hospitality.
• Willingness to travel domestically up to 50%.
• High self-starter energy with initiative and revenue focus.
• Proven ability to open new sales doors and meet revenue targets.
• Luxury communication skills for high-net-worth clients.

Responsibilities

• Proactively expand Cornell’s high-net-worth private collector list and sales pipeline.
• Uncover and cultivate new prospects, collector networks, and referral channels nationwide.
• Build and expand elite gatekeeper networks to secure visitation and direct sales.
• Self-direct, host exclusive private tastings and member events in key markets to drive revenue.

Skills

Entrepreneurial drive

Sales proficiency

Communication skills

Team player

Flexibility

Tools

CRM

POS

Allocation software

Job description

Private Client Manager

Reports To: Owner/Proprietor

Schedule: Full-time, Hybrid schedule that includes on-site winery work, weekend work and travel

Location: Santa Rosa, CA Winery & Travel (locally and domestically up to 50%)

Compensation: Salary + Commission Structure & Bonus Potential

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Located on the pristine slopes of the Spring Mountain summit, Cornell Vineyards is dedicated to crafting exceptional, estate-grown wines that reflect the rugged beauty and refinement of our unique terroir. As a small, close-knit, and passionate team, we pride ourselves on delivering an ultra-premium, intimate luxury experience for our collectors. We are seeking an entrepreneurial, high-energy sales driver and brand ambassador who shares our dedication to excellence and is ready to take full ownership of our direct-to-consumer (DTC) growth.

The Private Client Manager is a pivotal position essential to the overall success, brand equity, and growth of Cornell Vineyards. Serving as a primary face and voice of the winery, this role demands a unique combination of luxury refinement, commercial agility, and relentless sales focus. The ideal candidate excels at converting existing relationships into valuable client networks, proactively cultivating new sales opportunities across high-net-worth channels, and expanding our direct-to-consumer (DTC) footprint.

The ideal candidate embodies the ethos and values of Cornell Vineyards, possessing the refinement required for luxury relationship building alongside an entrepreneurial drive to scale business channels. This individual is expected to grow and cultivate sales and membership, serving as an ambassador and advocate who positively reflects the virtues of the brand.

The Private Client Manager is an entrepreneurial, high-energy sales driver and brand ambassador essential to the revenue growth, market expansion, and brand equity of Cornell Vineyards. Operating as a self-starter who thrives with a high degree of autonomy, this professional works seamlessly within a small, close-knit team—taking full ownership of their outcomes without requiring significant direction or oversight.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Proactive Sales & Network Cultivation

• Relationship & List Monetization: Proactively leverage personal networks, industry contacts, and existing relationships to build and expand Cornell’s high-net-worth private collector list and sales pipeline.
• New Business Development: Uncover and cultivate new sales prospects, collector networks, and referral channels nationwide through relentless outreach, phone campaigns, targeted releases, and bespoke off-site tastings.
• Referral Channel Growth: Build, manage, and expand an active network of elite gatekeepers—including luxury concierges, driver networks, partner wineries, and others—to secure reservation-only visitation and direct sales.
• National Field Sales & Events: Self-direct, create, execute and host exclusive private tasting experiences and elite member functions in key markets across the USA to drive significant revenue growth.

Elevated Hospitality & Autonomous Operations

• Luxury Experience Delivery: Act as a primary host at the estate, delivering personalized, white-glove luxury experiences from arrival to departure that consistently convert guests into loyal buyers and members.
• Self-Directed Execution: Work as an agile, highly resourceful partner within a small team, managing day-to-day estate readiness, standard opening/closing protocols, and event execution with minimal day-to-day supervision.
• Database & CRM Precision: Independently maintain, optimize, and leverage client data, purchasing preferences, and contact details within our CRM/POS platform (Offset preferred) to optimize segmentation and maximize customer lifetime value.
• Operational Collaboration: Partner flexibly with team members to execute allocations, track cross-channel inventory, and coordinate event logistics.

Qualifications, Skills & Requirements

• Industry & Systems Proficiency: 5–10 years in premium wine sales/hospitality. Fluency in luxury CRM, POS, and allocation management software.
• Travel & Flexibility: Willingness and ability to work flexible hours (including evenings and weekends) and travel domestically up to 50%.
• Entrepreneurial Drive & Autonomy: High self-starter energy with a proven track record of taking initiative, solving problems independently, and driving revenue.
• Proactive Sales Track Record: Demonstrated ability to open new sales doors, monetize existing client relationships, and consistently meet or exceed assertive DTC revenue targets in luxury or ultra-premium wine.
• Nimble Team Player: High adaptability and readiness to jump in across multiple responsibilities within a small, fast-moving winery team.
• Luxury Refinement & Communication: Superior verbal and written communication skills with the poise and sophistication needed to build rapport with high-net-worth individuals and elite collectors.

Requirements

• Age 21 years +
• Valid driver’s license with clean record;
• Ability to lift 40 lbs and stand/walk for extended periods during estate tours/events.

Contact Information

Cornell Vineyards

NCKT Consulting, Recruiting Partner