Wine Educator - Sonoma Coast Vineyards

FFWS; California, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Foley Family Wines & Spirits is seeking a Hospitality Center Wine Educator to engage guests and drive top-line sales through hospitality experiences, phone campaigns, and events. The candidate should be enthusiastic, charismatic, and passionate about wine, with strong people skills and the ability to multi-task in a team setting.

Prior winery tasting room exposure is preferred; the role requires weekend availability and a professional appearance, with the opportunity to share the brand story and

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Beginner/novice level wine knowledge and ability to execute experiences with supervision and training.
• Must be able to lift 42 lbs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
• POS experience preferred.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards for hospitality and customer service.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work Saturdays and Sundays.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests and conduct memorable wine experiences while answering questions about the property.
• Convey the brand story with effective communication to guests.
• Describe and promote wine club benefits and memberships.
• Assist with daily duties: restocking, cleaning, opening/closing tasks.
• Process routine purchase transactions at the POS and manage daily sales records.
• Book guest and member experiences via phone or email with required billing and contact details.
• Support hospitality events as needed.
• Maintain knowledge of winery and wine portfolio.
• Prepare cheese plates and food accompaniments for tasting experiences.
• Set up tasting experiences and handle cleanup; assist customers with carry-out.

Skills

Wine knowledge

Guest service

Communication

Multitasking

Professional appearance

Tools

POS systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

The History of Foley Family Wines & Spirits
In spring of 1996, Bill & Carol Foley purchased 1,000 acres of lush and fertile earth within the then relatively unknown Sta. Rita Hills region of Santa Barbara County. Their plan – produce hand-crafted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that reflected the best of California’s Central Coast. Named for their two daughters – Lindsey & Courtney – Lincourt Vineyards was born, and with it, the beginning of Foley Family Wines & Spirits.

In the 25 years since, Foley Family Wines & Spirits has grown into one of the world’s largest producers of fine wine, adding some of the industry’s most valuable wineries, located in the most recognized winemaking regions, including Napa, Sonoma, the Pacific Northwest, and New Zealand. Today, the Foley Family Wines & Spirits portfolio boasts a number of the most-celebrated names in wine, including Chalk Hill Estate, Chalone, Ferrari-Carano, and Sebastiani.

Job Summary

The Hospitality Center Wine Educator position assists with driving top line sales revenue to achieve business goals through hospitality center sales, telephone campaigns and events. This person must be enthusiastic, charismatic, and passionate about wine. People skills and the ability to multi-task are a must along with working with the public and in a team environment. Previous winery tasting room experience is preferred.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Greet guests, answer general questions about the property while conducting memorable wine experiences
• Understand the brand story and have the communication skills to convey the story to guests
• Describe the wine club benefits and learn how to convert to memberships
• Support the team in daily duties including but not limited to restocking, cleaning, opening and closing duties
• Accurately handle routine purchase transactions which include operating cash register and accounting of daily sales processes
• Book guest and member experiences via phone or email for all tasting room experiences, gathering necessary billing and contact information
• Assist with hospitality special events as needed
• Acquire and maintain thorough knowledge of winery and wine portfolio
• Prepare cheese plates and other food accompaniments
• Prepare for tasting experience and conduct tasting experience clean-up
• Assist customers with the carry out of purchases to their vehicles when necessary
• Receive and restock wine and/or merchandise as needed

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills & Other Abilities

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Beginner/novice level wine knowledge and ability to execute experiences with appropriate supervision and training
• Must be able to lift 42 lbs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite preferred
• POS experience preferred
• Commitment to excellence and high standards for hospitality and customer service
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Must have a professional appearance and demeanor
• Ability to work Saturday and Sunday

Education & Experience

• Two years hospitality and/or tasting room experience is preferred

Work Environment

The tasting room is a non-smoking work environment. Employees working in the tasting room are asked to not smoke during a workday or be free from any aroma that may be associated with smoking. No heavily scented perfumes, hand lotions, or hair products are allowed as they can interfere with the tasting of wines. While performing the duties of this job, the employee usually works in the tasting room with moderate noise levels, heavy people traffic, food, wine, and business office machines.

Company Core Values:

• Teamwork – Be a Spirited Partner
• Commitment – Crush Every Day
• Quality – Good vs. Grape: It’s All in The Details
• Integrity – It Takes a Community
• Safety – Tend the Vines
• Entrepreneurship – Love the Wine You’re With
• Fun! - Smile! You Have Purple Teeth!