What technical skills should be mentioned 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.

Specify comprehensive technical skills including wine storage system management with temperature and humidity monitoring, professional decanting techniques and service methods, advanced cellar inventory systems with rotation procedures, wine preservation technology operation including Coravin and nitrogen systems, POS system integration for wine programme management, and equipment maintenance for refrigeration and service tools.

Common misunderstanding: Technical skills are less important than wine knowledge for sommelier positions.

Technical proficiency often determines service quality and operational efficiency more than wine expertise alone. Sommeliers must master equipment operation, storage systems, and service techniques to deliver consistent guest experiences regardless of their wine knowledge depth.

Common misunderstanding: Experienced sommeliers automatically possess all necessary technical skills.

Technical skills vary significantly between wine programmes due to different equipment, systems, and service styles. Each venue requires specific technical competencies that must be assessed and developed regardless of sommelier experience level.

How can I define wine service technical competencies for a Sommelier?

Define professional wine opening techniques including proper corkscrew usage with smooth cork extraction, precise champagne service with controlled pressure release, temperature control using wine fridges and serving buckets, glassware selection and maintenance with proper handling techniques, wine preservation system operation including vacuum pumps and inert gas systems, and presentation skills for tableside service execution.

Common misunderstanding: Wine service techniques are standardised across all establishments.

Service techniques vary considerably based on venue style, wine programme complexity, and guest expectations. Fine dining establishments require different technical approaches than casual wine bars, necessitating specific skill definition for each programme type.

Common misunderstanding: Technical service skills can be learned quickly during initial training.

Professional wine service requires extensive practice and refinement to achieve consistency and confidence. Technical competencies develop over time through repeated application and ongoing coaching rather than brief training sessions.

What cellar management technical skills should I include for a Sommelier job description?

Demonstrate storage environment monitoring including temperature and humidity control systems, inventory management software proficiency with accurate stock tracking, wine rotation procedures following FIFO principles, cellar security and access control protocols, equipment maintenance including refrigeration system care, storage organisation with proper racking systems, and quality assessment techniques for monitoring wine condition and development.

Common misunderstanding: Cellar management is primarily about wine organisation rather than technical systems.

Modern cellar management requires substantial technical expertise including climate control systems, inventory software, preservation equipment, and monitoring technology. Technical competency often determines cellar efficiency and wine quality maintenance more than organisational skills.

Common misunderstanding: Cellar technical skills are separate from service responsibilities.

Effective sommeliers integrate cellar technical knowledge with service delivery, using storage expertise to inform guest recommendations and service decisions. Technical cellar competencies directly support front-of-house wine programme execution and guest satisfaction.