Sommelier Jobs
Sommelier jobs are open across fine dining, hotels, wine bars, retail, and private clubs, at every level from cellar assistant to head sommelier and wine director, with specializations in beverage program development, wine education, and tasting room management. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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The Willcox | Aiken, South Carolina
Position: Full-Time | Management
About The Willcox
The Willcox is a historic luxury boutique hotel and award-winning restaurant located in the heart of Aiken, South Carolina. Known for our exceptional hospitality, refined dining, and extensive wine program, we take pride in creating memorable experiences for every guest.
We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and hands-on Restaurant Manager / Sommelier to join our leadership team. The ideal candidate has a strong background in fine dining, extensive wine knowledge, and a genuine passion for hospitality.
Key Responsibilities
Restaurant Management
Oversee daily restaurant operations, ensuring exceptional service and guest satisfaction.
Lead, train, and motivate front-of-house staff to maintain the highest hospitality standards.
Manage dining room operations, reservations, staffing, and service execution.
Work closely with the Executive Chef and management team to deliver a seamless dining experience.
Address guest concerns professionally and ensure prompt resolution.
Monitor labor costs, beverage costs, inventory, and overall operational efficiency.
Maintain a polished, welcoming, and professional dining environment.
Wine & Beverage Program
Oversee and continuously develop The Willcox's award-winning wine program.
Manage wine purchasing, inventory, pricing, and cost controls.
Provide knowledgeable wine recommendations and pairings to guests.
Train and educate service staff on wine knowledge, proper service, and suggestive selling.
Help organize and host wine tastings, wine dinners, and other beverage-focused experiences.
Maintain relationships with wine distributors and suppliers.
Identify opportunities to increase wine sales while maintaining profitability.
Qualifications
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Minimum 3 years of restaurant management experience, preferably in fine dining or luxury hospitality.
Strong wine knowledge and experience managing a wine program.
Sommelier certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers, WSET, or equivalent training is strongly preferred.
Proven leadership, communication, and staff development skills.
Strong understanding of restaurant financials, inventory management, and beverage cost controls.
Exceptional attention to detail and a genuine commitment to guest service.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for more than someone who knows wine. We want a hospitality professional who enjoys being on the floor, building relationships with guests, developing their team, and taking ownership of the dining experience.
The right candidate will combine the knowledge and sophistication of a sommelier with the leadership, accountability, and hands-on approach of an outstanding restaurant manager.
Why Join The Willcox?
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Work in one of the Southeast's most recognized historic boutique hotels.
Help lead an established, award-winning restaurant and wine program.
Join a dedicated team that values hospitality, professionalism, and attention to detail.
Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our guest experience and continued success.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their résumé along with a brief introduction highlighting their restaurant management experience and wine background to:
Matthew Sayer
msayer@thewillcox.com
The Willcox
100 Colleton Avenue SW
Aiken, SC 29801
www.thewillcox.com
The Willcox is an equal opportunity employer.
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Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in sommelier jobs.
- Court of Master Sommeliers or WSET Level 2 or higher certification
- One to three years of floor sommelier or wine service experience
- Proven ability to build, manage, and cost a wine program
- Strong knowledge of Old and New World wine regions and varietals
- Experience using point-of-sale and inventory management systems
- Food and beverage pairing expertise across multiple cuisine types
Tips for Your Sommelier Job Search
Lead your resume with certifications
List your Court of Master Sommeliers or WSET level prominently at the top of your resume, above experience. Hiring managers in fine dining scan for certification tier first, so burying it in a skills section costs you attention you can't afford to lose.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists sommelier openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Tailor your cover letter to the program
Reference the restaurant's or hotel's actual wine list or regions of focus in your letter. Mentioning that you've studied their current list signals genuine interest and proves you can walk in with relevant expertise on day one.
Target openings by service concept
Filter your search by venue type, not just job title. A tasting room role demands different skills than a Michelin-starred dining room. Matching your strongest service format to the posting sharply increases your chances of advancing past a phone screen.
Prepare practical tasting notes for interviews
Many sommelier interviews include a blind tasting component. Practice structured deductive tasting out loud so your reasoning is audible, not just your conclusion. Interviewers assess your methodology as much as whether you identify the grape correctly.
Negotiate schedule before discussing other terms
Sommelier roles often carry split shifts and weekend requirements that vary widely by venue. Confirm the exact rotation and coverage expectations in writing before accepting an offer, since these logistics affect long-term fit more than base pay in service-heavy positions.
Sommelier Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most sommeliers?
The most active employers for sommeliers right now are Marriott International, Sonesta, and Don Artemio, and the most openings are in Texas, Oklahoma, and South Carolina, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hospitality groups and independent fine-dining restaurants consistently post the highest volume of openings.
How many sommelier jobs are remote?
About 0% of sommelier openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how service-dependent most roles are. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote flexibility are wine education, content development for wine brands, and corporate beverage consulting, where physical floor presence is not required.
How do you become a sommelier?
Start by gaining floor experience in a wine-focused restaurant, then pursue formal certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers or the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. Work through progressive certification levels while building your palate through structured blind tasting practice. Most full sommelier roles expect at least one recognized credential combined with direct table service experience.
Can you get hired as a sommelier without much experience?
Yes, entry-level sommelier and wine assistant roles are a realistic starting point with limited experience if you hold even a foundational certification such as the Introductory Sommelier certificate. Emphasize any floor service background, formal tasting coursework, or wine retail work. Smaller independent restaurants and wine bars are more likely to hire and develop candidates early in their careers than large hotel groups.
What does the sommelier interview process look like?
Most sommelier interviews include an initial phone screen with the beverage director or general manager, followed by an in-person meeting that covers your wine knowledge and service philosophy. Expect a practical component, often a blind tasting of two to four wines where you walk through your deductive process aloud. Some venues also ask you to review their current list and suggest edits or additions before the final round.
Where can I find and apply to sommelier jobs?
You can find and apply to sommelier jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your certification level, preferred venue type, and location, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background.
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