Wine Educator - Ram's Gate Winery (PT)

O'Neill Vintners & Distillers; Sonoma (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Ram’s Gate Winery seeks an experienced Wine Educator to craft luxurious, personalized tasting experiences. You will tell compelling wine stories, guide guests through immersive experiences, and collaborate with the hospitality and culinary teams to elevate every visit.

The role emphasizes authentic guest engagement, knowledge sharing, and a commitment to outstanding service in a high-end environment. Experience with fine wines and a passion for hospitality are essential.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in luxury customer service, sales or hospitality.
• Natural ability to connect with people and build rapport.
• Commitment to high-performance teamwork.
• Passion for wine, food and agriculture; willingness to expand knowledge.
• Strong attention to detail and guest experience.
• Clear written and spoken communication skills.
• Ability to use hospitality tech; Tock or WineDirect a plus.
• Multitasks well; stays composed in fast-paced settings.
• Available for weekends, holidays, and evenings.
• California Food Handlers Training and RBS Certification within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Welcome guests with warmth and curate exceptional experiences.
• Share stories, history, and craftsmanship of wines to educate guests.
• Collaborate with hospitality, culinary, and concierge teams.
• Build genuine connections and tailor experiences for VIPs and members.
• Maintain an ego-free, guest-first hospitality approach.
• Support winery and membership events with setup and décor.
• Represent the winery at on-site and off-site events as an ambassador.
• Stay informed on wine trends, regulations, and shipping laws.
• Keep hospitality spaces pristine and inviting.
• Cultivate relationships that lead to sales and memberships.
• Uphold company values and team spirit.

Skills

Luxury customer service

Rapport building

Team collaboration

Wine knowledge

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Tech savvy (Tock)

Tech savvy (WineDirect)

Multitasking under pressure

Availability: weekends/holidays

21+ years old

Education

California Food Handlers Training

RBS Certification

Tools

Tock

WineDirect

Job description

Description

Perched upon the rolling hills that define the landscape of the Carneros AVA, Ram’s Gate welcomes visitors as they enter Sonoma’s Wine Country. The vision of owner Jeff O'Neill, Ram’s Gate Winery brings a new perspective on refined elegance through thoughtful farming, transparent winemaking, genuine hospitality, and sublime culinary experiences. The cornerstone of the O'Neill family portfolio, Ram's Gate is dedicated to creating compelling and uncompromising wines sourced from vineyards that encompass the spirit of Sonoma County. Its connection to the land is reflected in the breathtaking tasting room that overlooks the estate vineyard, made up of 28 acres of organically farmed vines.

As a Wine Educator, you are the heart of our hospitality, dedicated to curating personalized, luxury wine experiences that leave a lasting impression. Your role is more than just pouring wine, it’s about crafting memorable moments, sharing compelling stories, and ensuring every guest feels valued, welcomed, and at home.

Description

Perched upon the rolling hills that define the landscape of the Carneros AVA, Ram’s Gate welcomes visitors as they enter Sonoma’s Wine Country. The vision of owner Jeff O'Neill, Ram’s Gate Winery brings a new perspective on refined elegance through thoughtful farming, transparent winemaking, genuine hospitality, and sublime culinary experiences. The cornerstone of the O'Neill family portfolio, Ram's Gate is dedicated to creating compelling and uncompromising wines sourced from vineyards that encompass the spirit of Sonoma County. Its connection to the land is reflected in the breathtaking tasting room that overlooks the estate vineyard, made up of 28 acres of organically farmed vines.

As a Wine Educator, you are the heart of our hospitality, dedicated to curating personalized, luxury wine experiences that leave a lasting impression. Your role is more than just pouring wine, it’s about crafting memorable moments, sharing compelling stories, and ensuring every guest feels valued, welcomed, and at home.

With a passion for hospitality, an appreciation for fine wines, and a commitment to seamless service, you will create tailored, immersive tasting experiences that reflect the excellence of our certified organic vineyard. Your ability to engage guests with authenticity and enthusiasm sets the tone for an unparalleled visit.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Welcome every guest with warmth, ensuring a customized and exceptional experience, whether they are first-time visitors or longtime members.
• Share the history, craftsmanship, and unique qualities of our wines in a way that captivates and educates guests.
• Work closely with the hospitality, culinary, and concierge teams to elevate the guest journey and maintain smooth operations.
• Build genuine connections, remember guest preferences, and curate experiences that feel exclusive and personal.
• Maintain an ego-less approach to hospitality, always prioritizing the guest’s experience with grace and professionalism.
• Enhance winery and membership events by engaging guests and assisting with setup, décor, and execution.
• Serve as an ambassador, representing the winery both on-site and at off-site events, ensuring our brand’s integrity and high standards.
• Stay informed on wine trends, compliance regulations, and interstate shipping laws to assist guests with purchases and logistics.
• Take pride in maintaining an elegant, welcoming space, ensuring all hospitality areas are pristine and well-appointed.
• Cultivate meaningful relationships that naturally lead to wine sales, club memberships, and repeat visits.
• Embody our company values, contributing to a supportive, passionate, and high-performance team environment.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2+ years of experience in luxury customer service, sales, or hospitality.
• A natural ability to connect with people and build rapport.
• Committed to fostering a collaborative, high-performance team environment.
• Passion for wine, food, and agriculture, with a desire to continuously expand knowledge.
• Keen attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to creating exceptional guest experiences.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Comfortable using technology (experience with Tock or WineDirect is a plus!).
• Ability to multitask, stay composed under pressure, and make thoughtful decisions in a fast-paced setting.
• Availability to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as needed.
• Required Certifications: California Food Handlers Training & RBS Certification (within 30 days of employment).
• Must be at least 21 years old.

CULTURAL BEHAVIORS

O’Neill team members are Forward Thinkers. Hard Working without Drama. Friendly Problem Solvers who work as One Team to Always Deliver.

Physical/Mental Requirements

• Ability to walk, stand, and bend for prolonged periods
• Perform some repetitive motion activities
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to lift objects to 50 pounds; ability to climb ladders
• Grasp, stoop, squat, climb stairs, push, pull, carry, and reach over the shoulder.

Work Environment

• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying extremes of weather, including heat, cold, and rain
• Noise level is generally low to medium

O’Neill Vintners & Distillers offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage, short- and long-term disability, a 401(k) with a company match, Paid Time Off, holidays, and more.

O’Neill Vintners & Distillers is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

All candidates must pass a comprehensive background check and drug screen and adhere to all Company, Federal, and State Food Safety Regulations and Policies. This organization participates in E-Verify.