Job Title: Wine Ambassador

Location: Merriam Vineyards, Healdsburg, CA

Reports to: Tasting Room Manager

Job Type: Part-Time

About Merriam Vineyards:

Nestled in the heart of Sonoma County's renowned wine country, Merriam Vineyards is a family-owned winery in Healdsburg, CA, known for producing premium wines from estate-grown grapes. Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and hospitality drives everything we do. We are passionate about creating memorable wine experiences for our guests, and we are looking for a dedicated and dynamic Lead Wine Ambassador to join our team and help us continue to elevate the guest experience.

Job Overview:

This role will focus on sharing the story and philosophy of Merriam Vineyards while educating and guiding guests through tastings of our wines. We are seeking a passionate and knowledgeable wine enthusiast to use your expertise to share the art and science of wine with our guests. You’ll guide tastings, provide educational insights into our products, and support the team in creating a hospitable and welcoming atmosphere. Your dedication to the Merriam culture will help elevate our guests' experiences and support the smooth operation of the tasting room.

Key Responsibilities:

Guest Experience:
Lead and guide guests through memorable, personalized wine tastings that highlight the quality and history of Merriam wines.
Build strong, lasting relationships with customers, ensuring a welcoming and educational experience.
Provide expert knowledge about our wines, winemaking process, and vineyard practices, adjusting the presentation for various levels of wine knowledge.
Create an inviting and engaging atmosphere in the tasting room, ensuring the highest standards of hospitality are maintained.
Conduct private and group tours, providing an immersive wine experience that reflects the values of Merriam Vineyards.
Sales & Promotions:
Drive wine sales by presenting and promoting wine club memberships, wine sales, and special offerings.
Actively participate in tasting room sales goals, ensuring the team meets or exceeds targets.
Suggest and promote wine pairings, merchandise, and promotional items.
Event Support:
Assist in executing tasting room events, seasonal promotions, and private wine club gatherings.
Represent Merriam Vineyards at off-site events, festivals, and trade shows when needed.
Administrative and Operational Duties:
Assist in daily operations of the tasting room, including opening and closing procedures, cash handling, and inventory management.
Maintain an organized and clean tasting room environment.

Qualifications:

Experience:
1+ years of experience in a winery, hospitality, or customer service role, with at least 1 year in a leadership capacity.
Strong passion for wine, with a deep knowledge of wine varietals, regions, and food pairings.
Experience in conducting wine tastings, tours, and/or events is highly preferred.
Education:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
A degree in hospitality, business, marketing, or a related field is a plus.
WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification or equivalent wine education is highly desirable.
Skills & Abilities:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a customer-centric approach.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
A proven track record of sales and upselling wine products.
Proficiency in Microsoft applications including Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Comfortable with TOCK, Commerce 7, and CANVA or equivalent
Physical Requirements:
Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
Must be 21 years or older.

Additional Information:

Job Type: Part-time, Non-exempt
Job Category: DTC, Tasting Room and Retail
Job Level: Associate
Compensation: $20 - $25/hr depending on experience, wine sales commission, wine club sign up commission, tips, and mandatory sick days

Merriam Vineyards

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