Tasting Room Associate (PT or FT)

Job Overview

We are looking for someone who is excited to learn about the wine industry! No previous experience is necessary, and this job is a great entry point for a career in the wine industry. You will have the opportunity to work in a tasting room day to day, assist with administrative functions in the office related to wine club, and general winery operations. Additionally, there will be opportunities to assist in the cellar during crush if interested (this is not a requirement of the job).

Who we are

It is fairly obvious to those that have visited our winery that we didn’t enter the wine business to feed our egos. It wasn’t a lifestyle choice, a summer home, or the need to have our name on a bottle of wine. We were not Hollywood transplants, Silicon Valley techies, or financial tycoons. Our story is one borne of necessity.

We were thrust into the wine business after bootlegging our still fermenting 1981 Vintage Port from a now defunct winery after they were unable to pay us for our grapes. We focused our attention on producing high-quality ports and table wines from the five Portuguese varieties planted in our Amador County vineyard. A few years later, we lost our entire vineyard to a disease called phylloxera. With no ability to purchase grapes we relied on the kindness of our fellow farmers, and soon discovered Lodi was home to an undiscovered wealth of old-vines. After replanting our Amador County vineyard to Portuguese grapes, we continued working with a select few Lodi vineyards to showcase the forgotten Heritage varieties of California.

For nearly 30-years, we’ve worked to elevate the status of Lodi, and of these under-represented grapes. Recently our Mohr-Fry Ranches Old-Vine Zinfandel was named the #23 wine in Wine Enthusiasts list of Top 100 Wines in the World, and we have twice been awarded “Best Red Wine in California” at the State Fair Wine Competition (the oldest wine competition in America).

When we started producing wine in the 1970s, there were no tasting rooms, wine clubs or wine country tourists. We sold wine to restaurants, bottle shops and anyone else we could find! Over the past five years we have started to develop a tasting room and direct sales channel including a wine club. We are looking to invest in someone for the long-term. Someone who will grow with us and who will help us to shape the future of our direct sales business.

Duties
Tasting Room

• Provide a welcoming environment for guests, and develop relationships with regular customers
• Remain knowledgeable of all current releases
• Assist customers in the tasting room
• Maintain tasting room supplies inventory
• Assist with shipping retail orders placed by phone/email

Administrative

• Maintain cleanliness and organization in the backroom and office
• Assist with washing glasses
• Assist with retail marketing including emails and social media posts
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• At least 21 years of age
• Valid CA Driver’s license
• Education: High School Diploma
• Ability to lift 40 lbs
• Ability to stand for 4-6 hours
• Computer literacy including experience with Microsoft Office
• Flexible availability including occasional (~4/year) weekends, and occasional evenings

What Will Set You Apart

• Front of House experience in an upscale or casual fine dining setting
• Knowledge of wine and the Lodi Appellation
• Experience with Wine Direct and/or Microsoft Excel
• Experience in retail or consumer sales
• Education: College Degree
• Completion of an ABC approved course on Responsible Beverage Service

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 18 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid sick time
• Paid training

Shift:

• Day shift

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Lodi, CA 95240 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Lodi, CA 95240: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $22