Sommelier

Smokymountains; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Smokymountains is seeking a Sommelier to lead daily tastings and provide elevated beverage service in our restaurant. You will connect guests with boutique wines and spirits, building knowledge across regions and collaborating with the front-of-house team to deliver a seamless guest experience.

The role requires strong wine/spirits knowledge, hospitality experience, and excellent communication. This is a salaried leadership position with opportunities to engage with producers and chefs during

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of wine and spirits and beverage trends.
• Experience in hospitality, preferably in fine dining.
• Excellent email and verbal communication etiquette.
• Ability to work with a large team and support service goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily wine and spirits tastings for guests to educate them on boutique producers.
• Provide memorable floor sommelier service, helping guests select wines for their dining experience.
• Restock wines in cellars and storage areas.
• Support front-of-house during service to ensure cohesive guest experience across service areas.
• Train service staff on wines, spirits and cocktails.
• Participate in monthly and yearly beverage inventory counts.

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!
We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

The Sommelier is a salaried leadership role that works closely with an expansive spirits and wine program, engaging in daily tastings with guests and providing in-restaurant service. This role focuses on connecting guests with small, independent producers of spirits and wine to create memorable and elevated dining experiences.
On a daily basis, the Sommelier consistently tastes and builds knowledge of wines from boutique producers across regions including California, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and beyond. Throughout the year, the role also includes regular opportunities to engage with wine producers and chefs from around the world through food and wine‑focused events featured within the program.
This role collaborates daily with the front-of-house service team to lead and support bar, lounge, and dinner service, ensuring a high-quality and cohesive guest experience across all service areas.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Lead daily wine and spirits tastings for our guests to educate them on small batch producers of spirits and boutique wine makers from around the world
• Provide memorable service to our guests as a floor sommelier, helping them find the best selections for their dining experience
• Daily restock of wines in our Cellars and wine storage areas
• Supporting the front of house service team during service – one team, one goal – great service
• As a team, help to train the service staff on wines, spirits, and cocktails
• Participate in monthly and yearly beverage inventory counts as assigned

Must comply with all company policies and procedures.

Regular and consistent attendance is required to perform the essential functions of this position.

Must be able to work well with other Team Members, Managers, and interact with our guests.

Education, Experience, and Communication:

• Must be able to work with a large team, cooperatively, positively towards our goal of excellent service and support of one another in that pursuit
• Experience in the hospitality industry in a fine dining restaurant is preferred
• Great base knowledge of wine and spirits is necessary to excel in this role
• Proper e-mail and verbal communication etiquette is necessary to excel in this role – within the company and one on one with our guests and team members

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to be on feet for an extended period of time for pre-service and service role
• Must be able to operate a company vehicle or golf cart safely

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Dining Room, Cellars, Bar and Open Kitchen areas
• May occasionally be asked to go outside in all weather conditions