What responsibilities should I list for a Sommelier during service?

Date modified: 29th September 2025 | This FAQ page has been written by Pilla Founder, Liam Jones, click to email Liam directly, he reads every email.

Sommelier Job Description Template

This job description template provides a full working exmaple using our six step approach. Open the template in the Pilla app and customise each section to make it specific to your role and business.

We operate an award-winning restaurant with an extensive wine program featuring 300+ carefully curated wines from established and emerging regions worldwide. Our sommelier leads wine service excellence, educating guests and staff while managing our comprehensive wine collection. The role combines guest interaction with wine program management, including inventory control, supplier relationships, and staff education. You'll work in an elegant dining environment serving wine enthusiasts, special occasion diners, and corporate guests seeking exceptional wine experiences. This position offers excellent opportunities for professional development, including wine travel, supplier visits, and involvement in wine events and tastings that enhance our restaurant's reputation as a wine destination.
• Provide expert wine recommendations and pairings, enhancing guest dining experiences through knowledgeable service • Maintain comprehensive wine inventory including purchasing, storage, and rotation to optimize quality and profitability • Develop and update wine lists, including seasonal selections and special wine program features • Conduct staff training on wine knowledge, service techniques, and upselling strategies • Manage wine cellar operations including temperature control, storage systems, and inventory tracking • Build relationships with wine suppliers, distributors, and producers to source exceptional wines • Organize wine events, tastings, and educational dinners to promote wine program and drive revenue • Ensure proper wine service standards including decanting, temperature control, and glassware selection • Handle wine complaints and quality issues with professionalism and expertise • Collaborate with kitchen team on food and wine pairing development • Monitor wine program profitability including cost control and pricing strategies • Maintain wine service equipment and ensure compliance with licensing requirements
Essential Skills: Comprehensive wine knowledge across major wine regions, varietals, and production methods; expert tasting abilities with skill in identifying wine characteristics and quality; outstanding guest service abilities with confidence in wine presentation and education; strong organizational skills for inventory management and cellar operations; effective communication skills for staff training and guest interaction; ability to work collaboratively with kitchen and service teams. Preferred Qualifications: Formal sommelier certification (Court of Master Sommeliers, WSET Level 3+); 2+ years wine service experience in fine dining environments; additional language skills for international wine knowledge; spirits and cocktail knowledge for complete beverage program management; experience with wine inventory software and POS systems; knowledge of wine law, importing, and distribution.
We're looking for passionate wine professionals with solid foundation knowledge and genuine enthusiasm for sharing wine expertise with others. You should have at least 18+ months wine service experience and be working toward or have achieved sommelier certification. While advanced certifications are great to have, we care more about your passion for wine, ability to connect with guests, and commitment to continuous learning. We provide ongoing education support including wine courses, supplier tastings, and travel opportunities to wine regions. Career advancement opportunities include head sommelier positions, beverage program management, and involvement in wine program development across our restaurant group. We support professional development through certification programs and industry networking.
We're looking for someone who combines deep wine knowledge with approachable personality, making wine accessible and enjoyable for all guests regardless of their wine experience level. You should be naturally curious about wine, eager to continue learning, and skilled at sharing knowledge without intimidation. The ideal candidate will have excellent memory for wine details, palate development for quality assessment, and patience for educating both guests and staff. You should be detail-oriented in cellar management, reliable in inventory control, and creative in wine program development. We value professionalism, continuous education, and collaborative approach to beverage program success within our restaurant's overall hospitality experience.
Competitive salary of £28,000-£35,000 annually based on certification level and experience, plus wine sales commission structure and quarterly performance bonuses. Comprehensive benefits package includes: wine education allowance for courses and certifications; wine tasting budget for menu development and supplier evaluations; 26 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays and professional development time. Professional development opportunities including wine region travel, supplier visits, and industry event attendance. Health and wellness benefits, staff meal programs, and wine industry networking opportunities through our established supplier relationships.

Include comprehensive guest wine consultation with personalised recommendations based on menu selections and individual preferences, expert wine presentation and service including proper decanting techniques and professional pouring standards, continuous cellar access for wine selection and quality verification, collaborative staff support providing wine knowledge and service guidance, proactive inventory monitoring during service for availability and quality assurance, and flexible problem-solving for special wine requests or service challenges.

Common misunderstanding: Sommelier service focuses primarily on wine pouring rather than comprehensive guest consultation.

Professional sommelier service emphasises educational consultation, personalised recommendations, and memorable wine experiences that enhance dining satisfaction. Technical pouring skills support the consultation process but guest interaction and wine expertise determine service quality and programme success.

Common misunderstanding: During busy service, sommelier responsibilities can be simplified to basic wine service.

Quality wine programmes maintain comprehensive sommelier service standards regardless of service volume. Simplified service often results in missed sales opportunities, reduced guest satisfaction, and diminished programme reputation that affects long-term venue success.

How should I describe guest interaction expectations for a Sommelier during service?

Describe confident guest consultation including detailed wine knowledge sharing with approachable explanations, personalised pairing recommendations that complement individual menu choices and dietary preferences, professional wine presentation incorporating education and storytelling about producers and regions, responsive service adaptation based on guest feedback and comfort levels, and creation of memorable wine experiences that encourage future visits and wine programme engagement.

Common misunderstanding: Guest wine consultation should be brief to maintain service efficiency.

Quality wine consultation requires adequate time for preference assessment, recommendation explanation, and guest education. Rushed consultations often result in inappropriate wine selections, missed sales opportunities, and reduced guest satisfaction that affects programme reputation.

Common misunderstanding: Sommelier guest interaction focuses on wine expertise demonstration rather than personalised service.

Effective sommelier service adapts wine expertise to individual guest needs, preferences, and comfort levels. Educational sharing enhances the experience when guests show interest, but personalised service and appropriate recommendations determine guest satisfaction more than expertise demonstration.

What operational support should I mention for a Sommelier job description during service?

Emphasise collaborative operational support including staff wine education and guidance for consistent service standards, strategic kitchen coordination for pairing execution and timing, comprehensive service team training for proper wine handling and presentation techniques, continuous quality control throughout wine service operations, flexible problem-solving for wine-related challenges or special guest requests, and proactive communication with management regarding programme performance and improvement opportunities.

Common misunderstanding: Sommelier operational support is secondary to guest service responsibilities.

Sommelier operational support ensures programme consistency, staff competency, and service quality that directly affects guest satisfaction. Team support and quality control often determine overall programme success more than individual guest interactions alone.

Common misunderstanding: Staff wine support should be minimal to avoid over-complicating service operations.

Comprehensive staff wine support improves service confidence, reduces errors, increases sales opportunities, and enhances guest satisfaction. Well-trained service teams with sommelier guidance typically achieve better wine programme results than those with minimal wine education and support.