About the position
JONATA and The Hilt Estate are seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our vibrant hospitality team as Estate Hosts. We are not your standard winery; we pride ourselves on our unique approach to wine and hospitality, and we are looking for individuals who share our passion. This position offers exceptional earning potential and benefits for full-time employees, making it an ideal opportunity for those looking to grow in the wine industry. We value personality over experience and are committed to training and mentoring the right candidates. As an Estate Host, you will be part of a small, dedicated team that is focused on providing an incredible experience for our guests. Our winery is known for its world-class reputation, specializing in cabernet sauvignon, syrah, pinot noir, and chardonnay. We believe in the advancement of our team members and provide the necessary tools for growth and development. In this role, you will conduct public, private, and VIP tours of the winery and its grounds, sharing compelling stories about our team, winery, and wine portfolio. Your goal will be to create brand ambassadors and loyal customers through exceptional service and engaging experiences. You will be responsible for ensuring that every guest has a memorable visit, which includes understanding and articulating our brand image and portfolio. You will also engage with customers to tailor their experiences to their interests, promote subscription and membership sales, and maintain a welcoming atmosphere in the tasting room. The position requires a flexible schedule, as you will be expected to work weekends, some holidays, and evenings. You will also be involved in various tasks such as preparing the tasting room, operating the POS system, and maintaining cleanliness and organization. This is a fantastic opportunity for those who are enthusiastic about wine, food, and customer service, and who are looking to be part of a dynamic team in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley.
Responsibilities
- Provide an exceptional and memorable wine experience for each guest by understanding and confidently articulating brand image & brand portfolio.
- Ensure consistent standards of presentation at every point in the guest experience.
- Engage with each customer to identify and tailor the experience to their interests.
- Effectively communicate in a professional and welcoming manner.
- Promote Subscription & Membership Sales.
- Efficiently operate POS system and maintain accuracy in all transactions.
- Build and maintain lasting relationships with guests & members.
- Prepare the tasting room for opening & closing based on operating procedures.
- Represent winery at outside functions as needed.
- Perform cleaning, glass washing, inventory stocking, and other tasks as needed.
- Work as a team with other associates to reach set daily and monthly sales targets.
- Prepare food for wine pairings, as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned by Manager.
Requirements
- Be a nice person.
- Exemplary customer service standards.
- Be willing to 'go the extra mile' to satisfy our guests.
- Positive & friendly attitude!
- Flexible schedule with the ability to work weekends, some holidays and evenings.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Enthusiastic about wine, food, & customer service.
- Self-motivated, positive with a good attention to detail.
- Previous experience in related retail or hospitality sales a plus.
- Previous restaurant service experience a plus.
- Must be able to work daily from the Santa Ynez Valley.
- Able to lift 50 lbs.
- Must be over 21 years old.
- Able to stand and walk for long periods of time (up to 5+ hours at a time).
Nice-to-haves
- Photography or design skills.
- Event experience.
- Cooking or a passion for good food.
- A love of music, travel, and the arts.
- A fan of scavenger hunts.
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
