Public Relations Associate

Napavalleywineacademy; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Quintessential Wines is seeking a detail-oriented Public Relations Associate in NYC. This entry-level role focuses on media relations, event coordination, and supporting family-owned wineries. If you're eager to learn about the wine industry and develop your PR skills, we'd love to hear from you.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years of experience in public relations, marketing, or communications role.
• Passion for wine, food, and storytelling.
• Eagerness to learn in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage wine scoring process across trade publications.
• Assist with planning press events and tastings.
• Draft and edit press materials such as releases and event documents.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Detail Orientation

Time Management

Storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Muck Rack

Job description

Company Description
Based in Napa, California, Quintessential is a premier importer, marketer, and distributor of fine wines and spirits, exclusively representing family-owned wineries and distilleries. The company’s portfolio includes 34 family estates, 47 wineries, and two distilleries across 12 countries. Quintessential is committed to showcasing the best expressions of terroir and craftsmanship from around the world.
Learn more: www.quintessentialwines.com
About the Role
Are you passionate about wine and eager to build a career in public relations and communications? Do you want to learn the inner workings of the global wine industry—everything from media strategy and logistics to working with world-renowned family-owned wineries? This is the job for you.
We're looking for a Public Relations Associate who is driven, detail-oriented, and ready to grow. You’ll play a crucial role in executing public relations initiatives and helping to tell the stories of our exceptional global portfolio. This role is ideal for someone early in their career who is excited to roll up their sleeves, master the fundamentals of media relations, and gain hands-on exposure to a wide range of wines, regions, and communication platforms.
Key Responsibilities
Media & Communications Support
• Manage the wine scoring process across major trade publications — from coordinating samples to tracking and reporting results.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, influencers, and content creators in wine, lifestyle, travel, and luxury categories.
• Draft and edit public relations materials including press releases, event materials, talking points, and tasting notes.
• Support the development of media pitches and creative campaign ideas to secure positive earned coverage.
• Respond promptly to media inquiries and sample requests with professionalism and attention to detail.
Event & Supplier Visit Coordination
• Assist with planning and executing press events and tastings, including managing guest lists, wine samples, materials, and logistics.
• Help coordinate supplier visits from winery and distillery partners, including media tours, events, and content opportunities.
Administrative & Reporting Responsibilities
• Track and report media coverage, accolades, and wine scores; share updates across internal teams.
• Maintain and update media contact lists, using tools like Muck Rack to pull reports and support campaign planning and to share results.
• Manage wine sample shipments to media and influencers.
Team Collaboration
• Actively contribute in weekly PR team meetings and brainstorming sessions.
• Support cross-functional projects involving brand, marketing, sales, and supplier teams.
• Collaborate with external agency partners and help implement strategic plans.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field.
• 0–2 years of experience in a public relations, marketing, or communications role (internships or related experience welcome).
• Passion for wine, food, global culture, and storytelling — a genuine desire to grow in the wine industry is essential.
Skills & Attributes
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an eye for detail and a flair for storytelling.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills; comfortable juggling multiple tasks.
• Eagerness to learn and confidence to ask questions or seek help when needed.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and see projects through to completion.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and a willingness to learn tools like Muck Rack and other business software platforms.
• Proactive, collaborative, and adaptable mindset — a “no task too small” attitude is key.
Bonus Points (Preferred but Not Required)
• Experience or familiarity with the wine, spirits, or hospitality industry.
• Social media fluency (especially Instagram, TikTok, YouTube) and/or comfort working with influencers or brand ambassadors.
• Previous experience with event coordination or public relations campaigns.

Summary:
Quintessential Wines is seeking a passionate, detail-oriented Public Relations Associate to join our communications team in New York City. This is an exciting entry-level opportunity for someone eager to build a career in wine and PR. You’ll gain hands-on experience managing media relationships, coordinating wine scoring and press events, and supporting top-tier family-owned wineries from around the world. If you’re curious, organized, and excited to learn the ins and outs of the global wine industry, we’d love to hear from you.

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