Wine Educator - Rams Gate Winery (PT)

O’Neill Vintners and Distillers; Sonoma (AL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Ram’s Gate Winery is seeking a Wine Educator to craft luxurious, personalized wine experiences that resonate with guests visiting Sonoma’s Wine Country.

You will share our wine stories, educate guests about craftsmanship and terroir, and collaborate with hospitality, culinary, and concierge teams to ensure seamless journeys from arrival to departure.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in luxury customer service, sales, or hospitality.
• Ability to connect with people and build rapport.
• Commitment to collaborative, high-performance team environment.
• Passion for wine, food, and agriculture with desire to continuously expand knowledge.
• Keen attention to detail and creating exceptional guest experiences.
• Strong communication skills in verbal and written form.
• Comfortable using technology (Tock or WineDirect 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.

Responsibilities

• Welcome every guest with warmth and customize experiences.
• Share history, craftsmanship, and qualities of our wines to educate guests.
• Collaborate with hospitality, culinary, and concierge teams to elevate the guest journey.
• Build genuine connections and curate exclusive, personal experiences.
• Maintain an ego-free hospitality approach, prioritizing guest experience.
• Support winery and membership events with setup, décor, and execution.
• Represent the winery at on-site and off-site events while upholding brand standards.
• Stay informed on wine trends, compliance, interstate shipping laws, and assist with purchases.

Skills

Luxury customer service

Rapport building

Collaborative teamwork

Wine knowledge

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Multitasking under pressure

Weekend availability

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.

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:

The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job, but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

• 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:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• 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:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to do the following:

• 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.