What skills are essential when writing a sommelier job description?

Date modified: 22nd September 2025 | This FAQ page has been written by Pilla Founder, Liam Jones, click to email Liam directly, he reads every email.

Sommelier Interview Template

This interview template provides a structured approach to interviewing sommelier candidates. Use this guide to conduct consistent, fair interviews and objectively score responses. Use weighted scoring to get an accurate overall assessment - score each area 1-5, then calculate your final weighted score using the formula provided.

Review candidate's CV, certifications, and wine industry experience
Prepare interview room and arrange wine cellar tour if appropriate
Have scoring sheets, pen, water, and palate cleanser available
Ensure interview will not be interrupted for 60 minutes
Review current wine list, pricing structure, and food menu
Prepare wine samples for tasting assessment if conducting one
Have sommelier certifications reference guide available
Answer here
5 - Excellent: Advanced certifications (Level 2+ or equivalent) with clear passion for wine
4 - Good: Solid wine education with relevant certifications and genuine interest
3 - Average: Basic wine education but shows commitment to learning
2 - Below Average: Limited formal wine education or unclear motivation
1 - Poor: No formal wine education or poor understanding of sommelier role
Answer here
5 - Excellent: Sophisticated pairing approach with excellent understanding of flavor profiles
4 - Good: Good pairing knowledge with practical understanding of menu compatibility
3 - Average: Basic pairing knowledge but limited creative approach
2 - Below Average: Limited pairing experience or poor understanding of food compatibility
1 - Poor: No understanding of wine pairing principles
Answer here
5 - Excellent: Comprehensive wine program experience with vendor relationships and cost management
4 - Good: Good inventory management with understanding of purchasing and suppliers
3 - Average: Some inventory experience but limited program management
2 - Below Average: Limited inventory management or poor understanding of wine business
1 - Poor: No experience managing wine inventory or supplier relationships
Answer here
5 - Excellent: Excellent guest service examples with strong sales and communication skills
4 - Good: Good guest interaction skills with ability to read customer preferences
3 - Average: Basic guest service skills but adequate communication
2 - Below Average: Limited guest service experience or poor communication
1 - Poor: Cannot demonstrate guest service skills appropriate for sommelier role
Answer here
5 - Excellent: Active learning with clear knowledge sharing and team development strategies
4 - Good: Stays current with trends and shares knowledge with colleagues
3 - Average: Some professional development but limited knowledge sharing
2 - Below Average: Limited professional development or knowledge sharing
1 - Poor: No evidence of continuous learning or team development
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5 - Excellent: Comprehensive cellar management with excellent technical wine service knowledge
4 - Good: Good technical knowledge with practical cellar management experience
3 - Average: Basic technical knowledge but limited hands-on cellar experience
2 - Below Average: Limited technical wine management skills
1 - Poor: Poor understanding of wine storage and service standards
Answer here
5 - Excellent: Strong collaboration examples with excellent understanding of kitchen-wine synergy
4 - Good: Good teamwork with practical examples of kitchen collaboration
3 - Average: Basic collaboration skills with some kitchen interaction
2 - Below Average: Limited team collaboration or poor kitchen relationship
1 - Poor: Cannot work effectively with kitchen team
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5 - Excellent: Extensive training experience with clear development programs for staff
4 - Good: Good training skills with practical examples of staff development
3 - Average: Some training experience but limited systematic approach
2 - Below Average: Limited training experience or poor teaching ability
1 - Poor: Cannot demonstrate staff training capabilities
Answer here
5 - Excellent: Perfect recommendation with excellent explanation of pairing logic and alternatives
4 - Good: Good recommendation with solid pairing rationale
3 - Average: Adequate recommendation with basic pairing understanding
2 - Below Average: Poor recommendation or weak pairing logic
1 - Poor: Inappropriate recommendation or no understanding of pairing principles
Demonstrates genuine passion for wine and continuous learning
Shows excellent communication skills and ability to educate guests
Exhibits professional presentation appropriate for fine dining environment
Expresses commitment to developing restaurant's wine program
Shows understanding of wine as part of overall dining experience
Indicates availability for evening and weekend service requirements
Asks thoughtful questions about wine program goals and restaurant philosophy

Weighted scoring: Rate each area 1-5, then multiply by the decimal shown (35% = 0.35). Example: If Wine Knowledge = 4, then 4 x 0.35 = 1.4. Add all results for your final score. Maximum possible score is 5.0.

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Strong Hire - Offer position immediately
Hire - Good candidate, offer position
Maybe - Conduct wine tasting assessment or check references
Probably Not - Significant concerns, unlikely to hire
Do Not Hire - Not suitable for this role

When you're writing a job description for a sommelier, it's important to focus on essential skills that directly impact their role. Key skills include in-depth wine knowledge, exceptional customer service, and a sommelier certification. These are crucial because they ensure the candidate can provide expert advice, handle guests with care, and have a professional understanding of wines.

Common misunderstanding: All wine-related skills are equally important.

Specific skills like in-depth knowledge of wine pairings and certified expertise are critical for daily operations and should be prioritised over general wine understanding.

Let's say you are a sommelier evaluating candidates with broad wine knowledge but limited pairing expertise. Focus on core competencies like pairing precision and certified training that directly impact guest satisfaction. Daily operations demand specific rather than general wine skills.

Common misunderstanding: International wine experience is essential.

International wine experience is typically nice-to-have rather than essential unless your venue specifically focuses on global selections.

Let's say you are a sommelier hiring for a local bistro that serves regional wines. Concentrate on core competencies like wine pairing and customer interaction rather than requiring extensive international knowledge. Local expertise often serves guests better than broad international familiarity.

How do I categorise skills into essential and desirable in a sommelier job description?

To effectively categorise skills in a sommelier job description, list must-have skills that are directly related to daily tasks and customer satisfaction, such as wine knowledge and customer service. Desirable skills can include additional competencies that enhance a candidate's profile like knowledge of craft beers or experience with international wines. Use a clear table format to distinguish between these categories, ensuring clarity for potential candidates.

Common misunderstanding: Desirable skills are unnecessary.

Desirable skills can add significant value and should be included to attract candidates with extra versatility or specialisation for long-term benefit.

Let's say you are a sommelier creating job descriptions that only list essential skills without mentioning desirable ones. Include desirable skills like craft beer knowledge or spirit expertise to attract candidates who can enhance your programme beyond basic wine service. Future growth often depends on diverse capabilities.

Common misunderstanding: Essential skills alone determine hiring decisions.

Combining essential skills with desirable skills in evaluation allows for a more holistic view of candidates' capabilities and growth potential.

Let's say you are a sommelier evaluating candidates who meet all essential requirements but vary in desirable skills. Consider the complete skill package including additional capabilities like event planning or staff training. Long-term success often depends on skills beyond basic requirements.

Why should communication skills be highlighted in a sommelier job description?

Communication skills are vital for a sommelier as they interact directly with customers, explaining complex information about wines and pairings in an understandable way. Highlighting these skills in the job description underscores the importance of customer service and the ability to enhance the dining experience through knowledgeable and friendly interactions.

Common misunderstanding: Technical wine knowledge overshadows communication skills.

The ability to communicate wine knowledge effectively to guests is equally important as technical expertise for delivering full value to customers.

Let's say you are a sommelier with exceptional technical knowledge but struggle to explain wine concepts clearly. Focus on developing accessible communication that builds guest confidence rather than demonstrating complex technical expertise. Guest engagement often matters more than technical perfection.

Common misunderstanding: Communication skills are just about speaking well.

Effective communication involves listening to customer needs, responding appropriately, and building rapport rather than just speaking clearly.

Let's say you are a sommelier who focuses only on delivering polished wine presentations without listening to guest preferences. Develop active listening skills to understand what guests actually want rather than what you think they need. True communication creates dialogue, not monologue.