What personality traits should I highlight in a Sommelier job description?

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.

Highlight composed guest interaction abilities with sophisticated communication skills that elevate dining experiences, passionate wine knowledge sharing without intimidation or condescension, collaborative team spirit for seamless kitchen partnerships in food pairing development, cultural adaptability for appreciating diverse guest backgrounds and wine preferences, authentic enthusiasm that creates memorable experiences while maintaining professional discretion, and intellectual humility that respects guest choices and preferences.

Common misunderstanding: Sommelier personality traits are standardised regardless of establishment culture.

Effective sommelier personalities must align with specific venue cultures and guest demographics. Fine dining establishments may prioritise sophisticated authority while casual wine bars value approachable enthusiasm and educational warmth.

Common misunderstanding: Technical wine knowledge compensates for personality misalignment with establishment culture.

Cultural fit often determines sommelier success more than wine expertise alone. Sommeliers who naturally align with venue culture typically provide better guest experiences and integrate more effectively with existing teams.

How can I define cultural fit requirements for sommelier candidates?

Define cultural alignment including unwavering commitment to hospitality excellence and guest satisfaction, genuine respect for diverse wine traditions and cultural drinking preferences, collaborative approach to team dynamics with kitchen and service staff, professional growth mindset embracing continuous learning and development, authentic passion for creating memorable wine experiences, adaptability for various service styles, and alignment with venue values regarding wine education and guest interaction.

Common misunderstanding: Cultural fit requirements are obvious and don't need explicit definition.

Clear cultural expectations help attract candidates who naturally align with establishment values and service philosophy. Vague cultural descriptions often result in hiring mismatches that affect team cohesion and guest satisfaction.

Common misunderstanding: Cultural fit assessment can wait until after technical skill evaluation.

Early cultural fit evaluation prevents time investment in candidates who lack personality alignment with venue culture. Technical skills can often be developed more easily than fundamental personality and cultural compatibility.

What character qualities ensure sommelier success in our establishment?

Emphasize refined communication abilities that educate guests without overwhelming or intimidating, intellectual curiosity about wine regions and producer stories, graceful confidence in recommendations with respectful handling of guest preferences, cultural sensitivity for international guest backgrounds and wine traditions, collaborative spirit that enhances team cohesion, professional discretion appropriate for venue atmosphere, and authentic passion that inspires guest curiosity without pretentious display of knowledge.

Common misunderstanding: Strong sommelier personalities automatically create successful guest interactions.

Effective wine service requires balanced personality expression that enhances rather than dominates guest experiences. Overwhelming personalities can intimidate guests and detract from dining enjoyment regardless of wine expertise.

Common misunderstanding: Character qualities are less important than wine service technical skills.

Character qualities often determine guest satisfaction and return visits more than technical service competency alone. Guests value sommeliers who make wine accessible and enjoyable rather than those who merely demonstrate technical proficiency.