OPT Wine Steward Jobs
Wine Steward jobs on OPT are available at fine dining restaurants, hotels, wine bars, and specialty retailers. Your 12-month OPT window starts the moment you begin working, so timing your job search around your program end date matters. STEM extension does not apply to this role.
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Company Description
The Little Nell is Aspen's only Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel, featuring luxurious amenities, personalized service, breathtaking mountain views, renowned dining, spacious accommodations, and unparalleled access to America’s most famous mountain town.
Inspired by place, united by purpose, defined by you, The Little Nell is a a Relais & Châteaux resort, consistently recognized for its award-winning wine and culinary programs and dedicated service. The property boasts a variety of amenities, including two restaurants, three bars, a wine cellar and a speakeasy. The new Spa at The Little Nell is rooted in ‘The Aspen Idea’ - a holistic lifestyle philosophy that integrates mind, body, and spirit. During ski season, The Little Nell guests have access to a slopeside ski concierge and numerous winter adventures. In summer months, guests enjoy lush gardens along with off-road adventures, stargazing, fly fishing and mountaintop yoga; plus, a pool, hot tub and health center year-round. The Little Nell has been acknowledged with numerous awards for decades including being named a Forbes Five-Star hotel since 1995, a AAA Five-Diamond hotel since 1991, a Wine Spectator Grand Award winner since 1997, recognition as one of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants from Wine Enthusiast and frequently nominated for its Outstanding Wine Program by the James Beard Foundation.
The Little Nell also proudly offers residences, with 26 exquisite private mountainside homes and 12 guest rooms situated at the base of Aspen Mountain where owners and rental guests enjoy exceptional personal service delivered by The Little Nell team, along with effortless ski-in/ski-out access to Aspen Mountain.
For the first time since its inception, the first Nell hotel outside of Aspen will open at Rockefeller Center in 2027, bringing its legendary sophisticated style and legendary Aspen culture to New York City. For more information, visit www.thelittlenell.com or follow @thelittlenell on X, Instagram or Facebook. Please note that all official communications from the Talent Acquisition or Human Resources team are sent from email addresses within the notifications@smartrecruiters.com, aspen.com, aspensnowmass.com, aspenhospitality.co, limelighthotels.com & thelittlenell.com domains.
Job Description
Position Summary
The Wine Bar Manager oversees daily restaurant and bar operations ensuring a high level of guest service, efficient staff management and training, upkeep of the operation and service execution. This role requires strong leadership, attention to detail, and the ability to maintain high standards of food quality, cleanliness, and guest satisfaction. This position reports to the Bar Manager.
The budgeted pay range for this position is $29.00 to $32.00 per hour, actual pay will be dependent on budget and experience.
Job Posting Deadline
Applications for this position will be accepted until August 16, 2026.
Essential Job Functions/Key Job Responsibilities
- Supervise and coordinate restaurant staff to ensure exceptional guest service and efficient operations
- Train, motivate, and provide feedback to staff to maintain high service standards
- Oversee daily restaurant activities, including guest seating, order taking, and food delivery
- Ensure food quality, cleanliness, and presentation meet hotel standards
- Handle guest complaints and resolve service issues promptly and professionally
- Maintain records of employee needs and responsibilities including time off requests, schedules, tip sheets, and Personal Action Forms (PAFs)
- Collaborate with the kitchen to ensure timely and accurate food preparation
- Monitor staff performance and assist with performance evaluations
- Ensure adherence to health, safety, and sanitation standards in the restaurant
- Assist with opening and closing procedures, including restaurant setup and cleanup, cash handling and processing of guest payments accurately
- Conduct daily pre-meal meeting and tasting in congruence with Chef and Restaurant Manager, ensuring staff’s knowledge of food, menus, beverage, wine and service
- Maintain high level of guest satisfaction, make immediate corrective action when guests needs are not met
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Education & Experience Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, or related field preferred
- Four years' experience in food service environment required
- Two years in a supervisory role preferred
- CMS 1 preferred
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong knowledge of restaurant operations, including service, food preparation, and sanitation standards
- Excellent leadership and team management skills to motivate and guide staff
- Ability to handle guest concerns, complaints, and feedback in a professional and efficient manner
- In-depth knowledge of food and beverage menus, including ingredients, preparation, and presentation
- Strong communication skills for interacting with guests, staff, and management
- Ability to manage time effectively, multitask, and prioritize in a fast-paced environment
- Proficiency in point-of-sale (POS) systems and restaurant management software
- Ability to train, coach, and develop staff to improve performance and service quality
- Strong organizational skills to manage reservations, schedules, and inventory
- Knowledge of health, safety, and sanitation regulations in a restaurant setting
- Ability to monitor and maintain inventory levels of food, beverages, and supplies
- Strong problem-solving skills to address operational challenges and guest issues
- Ability to maintain a calm and composed demeanor under pressure
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
Additional Information
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- Ability to reach, crouch, kneel, stand, walk or be on your feet for extended periods of time
- Regularly work in wet, hot and humid conditions for extended periods of time and may be required to walk on slippery and uneven surfaces
- Must be able to occasionally lift, push or pull up to 50 lbs. individually or with assistance (weight limits can vary according to position, but no more than 50)
Job Benefits
This position is classified as a seasonal full-time position eligible for the following benefits:
Enrollment dates differ across the various programs.
- Paid Time Off Programs
- Paid Leave Programs
- Employee Ski Pass
- Other company perks
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. By accepting a position with Aspen One, Aspen Snowmass, Aspen Ventures or Aspen Hospitality you acknowledge that you are able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. To request accommodation during the application and interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 970-300-7700.
This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.
Aspen One is an equal opportunity employer (Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran). At Aspen One, inclusion, equity, and diversity are fundamental to fulfilling our vision of building a better workplace and better world. From our hiring practices through the entire employee experience, we embrace and celebrate the unique experiences, perspectives and cultural backgrounds that each employee brings to the workplace. We encourage diverse points of view which allows us to develop innovative solutions to the ever-evolving world of work. Aspen One strives to foster an environment where our employees feel respected, valued and empowered, and our team members are at the forefront of helping us promote and sustain an inclusive workplace that works for all.
For an overview of Aspen One Company's benefits and other compensation visit www.aspensnowmass.com/employment/benefits-and-perks
Aspen One participates in E-Verify.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Wine Steward
Target employers with international staff
Fine dining restaurants, luxury hotel groups, and wine importers regularly hire internationally. These employers are more familiar with OPT work authorization and less likely to be discouraged by the 12-month time limit or future sponsorship conversations.
Lead with your authorization status upfront
Wine Steward roles involve close-knit teams and long hiring cycles. Clarify your OPT status early so employers can plan around your authorization window. Avoiding this conversation until late wastes everyone's time and damages trust.
Highlight sommelier certifications and wine credentials
Court of Master Sommeliers certifications, WSET diplomas, or comparable credentials signal professional seriousness. Employers weighing OPT paperwork complexity are more likely to proceed when your qualifications are clearly documented and industry-recognized.
Research H-2B and H-1B sponsorship history
Hospitality groups that have previously sponsored work visas are your strongest prospects. Employers already familiar with petition filing processes face far less friction when considering sponsorship for a skilled, proven Wine Steward on OPT.
Apply before your OPT start date
You can interview and receive an offer before your OPT begins, but you cannot start working until your EAD is issued and your OPT period officially starts. Build this buffer into your timeline so your first day aligns correctly.
Frame the 12-month window as a trial period
Employers hesitant about long-term commitment respond well to framing OPT as a structured evaluation period. Position your 12 months as proof of performance before any sponsorship discussion, reducing perceived risk for the hiring manager.
Wine Steward OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Wine Steward on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Wine Steward roles qualify for F-1 OPT as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. Hospitality management, culinary arts, food science, and related programs all have clear connections to this role. Your EAD card must be in hand before your first day of work.
Does the Wine Steward role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
No. Wine Steward positions are not classified under STEM-designated CIP codes, so the 24-month STEM OPT extension does not apply. Your OPT authorization is limited to the standard 12 months. If you want to continue working after that period, your employer would need to sponsor an H-2B visa, H-1B visa, or other qualifying visa.
How do I find Wine Steward employers open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the best starting point. The platform surfaces Wine Steward listings from employers with a track record of hiring international candidates, which saves you from applying to roles where OPT is an automatic disqualifier. Filtering by visa-friendliness early makes your 12-month window count for more.
What happens to my OPT status if my Wine Steward contract ends early?
You have a 60-day grace period after losing employment during your OPT period. During those 60 days you can search for a new qualifying role. However, you cannot work during the grace period. If you exceed 90 days of total unemployment across your OPT period, USCIS considers your OPT violated and your status at risk.
Can a Wine Steward role lead to long-term visa sponsorship?
It depends on the employer. Wine Stewards at large hotel groups, fine dining chains, or wine importers with established HR infrastructure are more likely to have sponsored visas before. H-2B is common in seasonal hospitality; H-1B is less typical for this role unless it involves significant management or specialized expertise. Start the sponsorship conversation early.