Sommelier

City Winery Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

City Winery Chicago invites a skilled sommelier to join our unique wine and hospitality team. This role focuses on maximizing beverage sales while delivering an exceptional guest experience in a venue that blends winery operations with intimate live music and fine dining.

The Somm will educate guests on wine selections, provide thoughtful pairings, and support monthly inventory. Strong communication and a passion for wine are essential to thrive here.

Qualifications

• 2+ years sommelier experience in a fast-paced restaurant
• Extensive knowledge of and a genuine love for wine, winemaking, beer and spirits
• Fluent English and exceptional guest service skills

Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean, well-organized wine cellar and staff workspace
• Recommend wine and beverage pairings to guests; upsell tableside and retail bottles
• Keep staff informed of wine-list changes and educate guests on beverage selections
• Assist with monthly inventory and product knowledge across producers and regions
• Identify and report any issues to management and maintain service flow for guests

Skills

Sommelier experience

Wine knowledge

Guest service

Communication

Job description

A rare opportunity to join theCity Winery team as we reimagine the future of live music and hospitality. City Winery to deliver thehighest end combined culinary and cultural experience to our customers who arepassionate in sharing wine, music, and culinary arts. We are a unique facility,combining a fully functioning winery with intimate concerts, food & wineclasses, private events in a variety of configurations, and fine dining. Wehave created a compelling mix for our sophisticated clientele of foodies, andactive cultural patrons—bringing the wine country experience to the middle of alarge city.

Position Summary

This is an Hourly + Commission Opportunity!
Sommeliers arein-house wine and beverage experts whose focus is on maximizing overallbeverage sales and delivering an exceptional guest experience. The Somm isresponsible for overall guest service and satisfaction, recommending wine andfood pairings, educating guests on beverage selections, and beverage departmentsupport in areas such as monthly inventory. Specific certifications are notrequired, but a strong fundamental knowledge of the wine regions of the world –both Old and New World – along with producer familiarity and vintage knowledgeis mandatory. The most essential component to be a successful Sommelier will bethe earnest desire to propel the wine program forward through clearcommunication and organization, a curiosity to learn more, and a willingness toshare our expertise with guests and staff in a helpful, thoughtful way.

Overview of Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean, well-organized wine cellar in accordance with company standards
• Recommend wine and beverage pairings to guests; upsell both tableside offerings and retail wine offerings for guests to take home
• Keep staff abreast of beverage changes on the wine list
• Assist with monthly inventory
• Know about and defend our product brands
• Know and be able to identify table and seat numbers
• Knowledge of cocktail list - drinks, specs, flavor profiles
• Knowledge of WBTG facts - producer, variety, region, vintage, flavor profiles, history
• Know the proper standard for opening bottles of wine and tableside service
• Be warm, knowledgeable, and noticeably appreciative towards guests
• Accommodate guests by making each individual feel welcomed
• Act professionally and always maintain composure
• Identify and report problems to management immediately
• Be aware of service flow, dining timing, and be able to adjust for each guest’s individual needs
• Implement and follow steps of service
• Respond to the needs of the guests, taking orders, running food, and bussing tables
• Oversee activities of your team in the station

Minimum Qualifications

• 2+ years sommelier experience in a fast-paced restaurant
• Extensive knowledge of and a genuine lovefor wine, winemaking, beer and spirits
• Ability to consistently deliverhigh-quality guest experiences, exceed guest expectations, and strive to createa memorable experience at every City Winery visit
• Strong work ethic, team player, andexceptional guest service skills
• Strong attention to detail andorganizational skills
• Ability to take direction from others andaccept constructive criticism
• Effective communication and interpersonalskills with a proven ability to build positive relationships with coworkers andguests
• Aptitude to resolve problems
• Must be fluently literate in Englishincluding ability to read, write, and communicate, conduct basic businessrelated mathematics, able to accurately function a POS
• Ability to work a flexible scheduleincluding days, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to perform physical requirementsof the role including standing/walking for entirety of shift, bending, pulling,pushing, using stairs, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds

About Us

Wine, food, andlive entertainment collide at City Winery to create a dynamic and incrediblyunique workplace. Since 2008, City Winery has been turning heads across thenation with amazing live performances, delectable cuisine, and award winning,locally produced wines. But there's more to us than that we're a haven for community and creativity, aplace where the philosophy of hospitality is more than just a buzzword, but away of life. City Winery, founded by music industry veteran & visionaryMichael Dorf, has established itself as a one-of-a-kind brand providingunforgettable experiences for guests. From world class music venues tosustainably produced wines with ratings of 90+ points, City Winery offers arange of topnotch events & experiences.

We are an equalopportunity employer and value diversity at City Winery. We do not discriminateon the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexualorientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.Additionally, City Winery participates in the E-Verify Program in certainlocations, as required by law.

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