Hospitality and Sales Associate (Wine Jobs: Wine Retail & Sommelier)

  Dehlinger Winery

  Sebastopol, California

Dehlinger Winery is a 7000-case Russian River Valley producer of estate-grown Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Cabernet, and Syrah owned and operated by the Dehlinger family. We have a 40+ year tradition crafting wines grown from our vineyard surrounding the winemaking facility located outside the town of Sebastopol. Our focus has long been on maximizing quality and providing personal, authentic service to our customers and guests. We sell over 80% of our wine direct to consumer.

We are seeking a qualified and dedicated individual to join us in the role of Hospitality and Sales Associate. This is an opportunity for a wine professional to play a substantive role in hospitality and sales at a premium, family-owned California winery.

Summary

The Hospitality and Sales Associate plays a key role in strengthening and developing the winery’s relationships with customers and the trade through hosting visitors at the winery, participation in events and promotion, and facilitating customer purchases. Reporting to the Sales Director, the Associate provides a high level of service and professionalism to Dehlinger’s clients and guests, be it in person, over the phone, or by email. This person must possess strong communication skills, excellent attention to detail, and an interest in wine. Previous experience in the wine industry is expected and poise and polish is a must. This is a full-time, benefited position, and work days for this job are Wednesday-Sunday, with some changes to the work schedule seasonally.

Key Duties and responsibilities 

1. Hospitality at the winery and ranch (Approximately 50%)

• Execute guided wine tastings for consumers by appointments (typically Friday through Sunday, with peak season running November through August), including: scheduling, setting up, hosting/presentation of wines, completion of sales, and break down.
• Support winery’s relationships with a broad range of individuals and entities (including with the trade, customers and potential customers, guests, suppliers, grape clients, and neighbors) in multiple formats (including providing hosted experiences, arranging gifts, sending cards).
• Ensure areas viewed and visited by the public are meticulous and available for hosting, and that all serviceware and support materials are spotless and presentable.
• Develop and diversify hospitality offerings as needed to support existing relationships and expand customer base.

2. Drafting and organization of promotional materials (Approximately 20%)

• Create collateral (including tasting lists, tech sheets, and price lists) which are consistent with winery’s identity.
• Update company website and contribute to social media postings.
• Participation in professional winery photoshoots and organization of deliverables including bottle shots and images.
• Support promotional newsletter through basic-level graphic design and editing.
• Generate images and labels for ordering website.

3. Events and Promotion (Approximately 10%)

• Take a lead role in planning special events from time to time (e.g. open house events and winemaker dinners) including set up, breakdown, and coordination with caterers.
• Participate in outside events from time to time to promote and represent the winery.

4. General Sales, Mailing list management, and Office

• Administration (Approximately 20%)
• Facilitate and make sales as needed by phone and email.
• Provide support to Sales Director during internet sales cycles
• Consistent data collection for Customer Relationship Management.
• Visit commercial accounts from time to time. 
• Update written Sales and Hospitality SOPs as necessary.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
• Prior experience in wine hospitality or retail, with a knowledge of POS and customer management software.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office (specifically Word and Excel). Experience with InDesign and Photoshop desired.
• Enthusiasm to meet, greet, and support customers and friends of the winery. 
• Confidence to make sales.
• Interest in and knowledge of Sonoma County wines and culture.
• An insurable driving record – serious candidates will be screened by insurance company.
• 21 years or older.
• Ability to work professionally with alcohol. This position requires obtaining ABC-approved Responsible Serving Certification promptly after start date.
• Availability Wednesday-Sunday with flexibility to work varying hours seasonally and as needed. 

Physical Demands

• The ability to perform physical tasks, such as bending, walking briskly, and lifting up to 45 pounds on a regular basis and for extended periods of time. 
• Ability to pack up and carry cases of wine, including to customer’s vehicles, on a routine basis.
• Ability to work both in and outdoors in various weather environments, including on uneven surfaces such as gravel, grass, concrete, and up stairways.
• Sense of taste and smell.
• Ability to talk and hear.
• Sufficient digital manipulation to open a bottle of wine, polish wine glasses, make telephone calls, and utilize a computer keyboard and touch screen tablet.

Our farm and winery are non-smoking environments. Winery and employees are asked not to wear perfumes, colognes, or scented cosmetics on the premises and must be free of any aromas related to smoking, as these smells interfere with wine tasting and service. Responsible beverage consumption standards are upheld and staff members must be able to work professionally with alcohol at all times.

Ideal Start Date: Spring 2018. Ideally Mid April or May 1st, 2018.

Compensation: Depends on experience. Please provide compensation expectations in your application.

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