Wine Educator - PT

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards; Santa Rosa, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 58,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Tips included

5% commission on wine sales

Bonuses

Job summary

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Sonoma Valley is seeking a part-time Wine Educator to deliver elevated tasting experiences, tell the winery story, and build guest relationships through exceptional service.

You will host a variety of formats, promote wine club memberships, meet sales goals, and educate guests on sustainable winemaking, appellations, and our heritage.

This role includes weekends and occasional evenings, a base hourly wage with tips, bonuses, and a 5% commission on wine sales.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience in high-end hospitality, wine, or sales.
• Ability to deliver luxury-level service with a hospitality mindset.
• Willingness to work weekends and occasional evenings.
• Passion for sustainability and sharing that knowledge with guests.
• Comfort using modern hospitality technologies.

Responsibilities

• Host guests in a variety of tasting formats, including the tasting bar, seated indoor and outdoor experiences, Wine & Food Pairings, guided Trolley Tours, and high-touch Member engagements.
• Deliver personalized, memorable experiences that exceed guest expectations and build long-term brand loyalty.
• Promote wine club memberships, exclusive releases, and wine purchases to meet sales goals.
• Meet and exceed daily and monthly sales goals while fostering community with guests and teammates.
• Educate guests on the history of St. Francis Winery, winemaking philosophy, and Sonoma County appellations.

Skills

Wine knowledge

Guest service

Sales ability

Storytelling

Hospitality mindset

Tools

POS system

Payment technology

Job description

Join Our Team at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards – Bring Our Story to Life

At St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, we believe every guest interaction is an opportunity to create a lasting connection. As a Wine Educator, you play a key role in bringing our wines, our story, and our hospitality philosophy to life through engaging, personalized experiences at our ultra-premium, family-owned winery in the heart of Sonoma Valley.

We are a certified sustainable winery and proud to have been voted one of the Best Places to Work in the North Bay by our employees for 15 consecutive years. If you’re passionate about wine, hospitality, and building meaningful guest relationships, we’d love to welcome you to our team.

We are currently seeking a guest-centric Wine Educator to deliver elevated tasting experiences, deepen customer relationships, and drive sales through authentic storytelling and exceptional service.

Position Details

This is a part-time, hourly, non-exempt position, with a schedule that includes Saturdays, Sundays, and occasional evenings, allowing you to engage with guests during peak visitation times.

Pay Range: $21.00–$42.00 per hour, (wage inclusive of hourly rate, + tips +bonuses + 5% commission on all wine sales). In addition to a base hourly wage, Wine Educators earn an average of $10–$20/hour in tips (paid bi-weekly via payroll). You will also earn a 5% sales commission (expected to add $25–$50 daily based on $500–$1,000 in sales) and a $20–$50 bonus for every wine club sign-up, depending on the tier.

What You’ll Do

Create Exceptional Guest Experiences

• Host guests in a variety of tasting formats, including the tasting bar, seated indoor and outdoor experiences, Wine & Food Pairings, guided Trolley Tours, and high-touch Member engagements.
• Deliver personalized, memorable experiences that exceed guest expectations and build long-term brand loyalty.

Sell with Purpose & Passion

• Leverage wine knowledge and storytelling to promote wine club memberships, exclusive releases, and wine purchases.
• Meet and exceed daily and monthly sales goals while fostering a sense of community with guests and teammates.

Share the St. Francis Story

• Educate guests on the history of St. Francis Winery, our winemaking philosophy, and the unique appellations of Sonoma County.
• Create engaging, interactive experiences that connect guests to our wines and our place.

Provide Knowledgeable, Personalized Service

• Offer customized tasting recommendations and wine pairings based on guest preferences.
• Educate guests on our commitment to sustainable winemaking and eco-conscious practices.

Maintain Operational Excellence

• Process wine sales efficiently using contactless payment technology.
• Maintain organized, clean, and inviting tasting areas.
• Participate in special events and seasonal programs that enhance guest engagement and retention.

Be a Brand Ambassador

• Represent St. Francis Winery & Vineyards at onsite and offsite events.
• Collaborate with local partners, influencers, and community leaders to support co-branded and cross-promotional experiences.

What We Offer

A Supportive, Team-Driven Environment

• Work alongside a passionate hospitality team that values collaboration, professionalism, and continuous growth.

Opportunities for Growth & Development

• Expand your wine knowledge, learn emerging hospitality technologies, and grow with a winery that evolves alongside wine tourism trends.

Competitive, Performance-Based Compensation

• Enjoy a strong hourly base, generous tipping opportunities, and commission incentives that reward engagement and results.

Requirements

This Role Is Right for You If:

• You have at least 1 year of experience in high-end hospitality, wine, or sales environments.
• You understand and embody a true “hospitality heart.”
• You are proactive, adaptable, and excited to work weekends and occasional evenings.
• You are passionate about sustainability and enjoy sharing that knowledge with guests.
• You thrive in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment and enjoy using modern tools to enhance the guest experience.
• You excel at creating authentic connections and delivering experience-driven, luxury-level service.

Your Passion. Your Experience. Your Future.

If you’re excited to share your love of wine while creating meaningful guest experiences, we’d love to meet you. Join a forward-thinking winery that values innovation, hospitality, and connection.

St. Francis Winery and Vineyards is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D)