What training should I mention 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.

Detail comprehensive sommelier training including thorough wine programme orientation covering cellar systems and inventory management procedures, intensive service technique training specific to your venue's presentation standards, ongoing wine education through regular tastings and supplier relationship meetings, certification advancement support including funded WSET courses, and structured mentorship opportunities with experienced wine professionals and master sommeliers.

Common misunderstanding: Sommelier training focuses primarily on wine knowledge rather than operational systems.

Effective sommelier training balances wine expertise development with practical operational competencies including cellar management, inventory systems, cost control, and service efficiency. Technical skills training often determines programme success more than wine knowledge alone.

Common misunderstanding: Experienced sommeliers require minimal training when joining new wine programmes.

Each wine programme has unique systems, supplier relationships, guest expectations, and service standards that require comprehensive orientation regardless of sommelier experience level. Programme-specific training ensures consistent quality and operational integration.

How can I highlight our onboarding process for a Sommelier?

Highlight structured wine programme immersion including comprehensive cellar tours with storage system training, detailed wine list education covering tasting notes and pairing development, personalized service standard coaching with feedback and refinement, strategic supplier introduction meetings for relationship building, and carefully planned responsibility progression with ongoing performance evaluation and professional development planning.

Common misunderstanding: Sommelier onboarding should be completed quickly to fill service needs.

Quality sommelier onboarding requires substantial time investment for wine programme comprehension, relationship building, and service standard mastery. Rushed onboarding often results in service inconsistencies and reduced guest satisfaction that affects long-term programme reputation.

Common misunderstanding: Sommelier onboarding focuses on individual skill development rather than team integration.

Comprehensive sommelier onboarding includes extensive team integration with kitchen staff for pairing collaboration, service staff for wine knowledge sharing, and management for programme alignment. Team relationships often determine sommelier success more than individual expertise.

What learning opportunities attract candidates to a Sommelier position?

Emphasize funded professional wine certification programmes including WSET and Court of Master Sommeliers advancement, exclusive access to rare and vintage wine tastings for palate development, producer relationship cultivation through vineyard visits and winemaker meetings, wine dinner creation opportunities for menu development, staff education leadership roles for teaching and mentorship, and comprehensive professional development through industry conference attendance and continuing education financial support.

Common misunderstanding: Learning opportunities are benefits rather than essential job components.

Professional development opportunities are integral to sommelier career advancement and programme improvement. Venues that invest in sommelier education typically maintain higher service standards, stronger wine programmes, and better staff retention than those treating education as optional benefits.

Common misunderstanding: Individual learning opportunities matter more than collaborative wine education.

Successful wine programmes emphasize collaborative learning including team tastings, supplier education sessions, and peer mentorship. Sommeliers who develop within supportive educational environments often achieve greater professional success than those pursuing individual advancement alone.