How do I communicate customer service expectations for a Sommelier?

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.

Communicate comprehensive sommelier customer service expectations including exceptional wine consultation excellence, sophisticated personalized recommendation abilities, engaging guest education approaches, professional cellar tour leadership, expert wine pairing consultation, and distinguished hospitality standards that create memorable wine experiences and exceed guest expectations through knowledge, service precision, and genuine passion for wine hospitality.

Common misunderstanding: Customer service skills are secondary to wine knowledge for sommelier success.

Exceptional customer service capabilities often determine sommelier effectiveness more than wine expertise alone. Guests value approachable wine guidance, personalized attention, and comfortable interactions that make wine accessible rather than intimidating, regardless of sommelier technical knowledge depth.

Common misunderstanding: Wine service formality is more important than guest comfort.

Modern wine service emphasizes guest comfort and accessibility over traditional formal protocols. Successful sommeliers adapt service style to guest preferences, creating relaxed yet professional interactions that encourage wine exploration and enhance dining experiences through personalized hospitality approaches.

What guest interaction skills should I highlight for a Sommelier job description?

Detail sophisticated wine knowledge communication with accessible explanation abilities, personalized service delivery that adapts to guest preferences, comprehensive guest preference assessment through attentive listening, engaging educational conversation skills that inspire wine interest, confident recommendation delivery with enthusiasm, and exceptional hospitality excellence that creates memorable wine experiences through genuine care and professional expertise.

Common misunderstanding: Guest interactions should focus primarily on wine education rather than service comfort.

Effective sommelier interactions balance wine education with guest comfort, ensuring guests feel welcomed rather than overwhelmed by wine knowledge. Successful wine service prioritizes guest enjoyment and confidence over comprehensive education, adapting communication style to individual guest interests and experience levels.

Common misunderstanding: Standardized interaction approaches work for all guest types.

Guest interaction effectiveness requires adaptability to diverse preferences, experience levels, cultural backgrounds, and dining occasions. Skilled sommeliers assess guest needs quickly and adjust communication style, recommendation approach, and service level to create optimal experiences for each unique interaction.

How should I describe wine service hospitality for a Sommelier job description?

Specify sophisticated wine presentation excellence with attention to detail, refined tableside service that enhances guest comfort, consistent guest comfort prioritization throughout service interactions, engaging wine education delivery that inspires rather than intimidates, expert pairing consultation that enhances dining experiences, and memorable experience creation through passionate wine knowledge sharing and exceptional personal attention.

Common misunderstanding: Wine service hospitality follows rigid traditional protocols.

Contemporary wine service hospitality emphasizes flexibility, guest comfort, and accessibility while maintaining professional standards. Effective hospitality adapts to venue atmosphere, guest preferences, and dining occasions rather than following inflexible traditional service protocols that may compromise guest comfort.

Common misunderstanding: Hospitality excellence is innate rather than trainable for sommelier positions.

Wine service hospitality requires specific skills including wine communication, guest assessment, service timing, and hospitality techniques that can be developed through training and experience. Successful wine programmes invest in hospitality skill development alongside wine knowledge training for comprehensive service excellence.