Tasting Room Lead
Job Description
Robert Young Estate Winery is a luxury, family-owned estate in Alexander Valley, located just 10 minutes from Healdsburg, California (www.RYEW.com). We are seeking a full-time Tasting Room Lead to oversee the guest experience, host engaging wine tastings, and educate visitors on our wines and deeply rooted family history, all while delivering a standard of unreasonable hospitality.
This is a full-time, hourly position with benefits, working Thursday through Monday from 9:30am to 5:30pm, reporting to the Hospitality Tasting Room Manager and the Sales & Marketing Manager.
The ideal candidate will have strong communication and people skills, take great pride in customer service, possess a solid foundation in wine knowledge and luxury hospitality, and demonstrate strong operational and staff management abilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Guest Experience & Service Leadership
•  Provide a luxury, personalized, and approachable guest experience while upholding the highest standards of hospitality and service.
•  Deliver memorable experiences through engaging wine education, vineyard and family history, and thoughtful hospitality.
•  Oversee/lead hospitality team and guest experiences.
•  Confidently sell and close wine and club sales.
•  Understanding of what is needed to provide exceptional, luxury customer service.
•  Promote teamwork and foster a positive, professional work environment.
Team Leadership & Training
•  Lead, host, and supervise the hospitality team during tours and tastings.
•  Conduct daily staff meetings to review appointments, workflow, and service priorities.
•  Assist in training, motivating, and developing tasting room staff including assisting in establishing policies and training manual.
•  Partner with managers to coordinate ongoing operational training and wine education.
•  Ensure consistent execution of hospitality standards and protocols.
Tasting Room Operations
•  Oversee daily tasting room operations, including all opening and closing procedures.
•  Manage guest inquiries and reservations by phone and email; book and manage appointments in timely matter.
•  Review reservation notes and ensure all guest requests are fulfilled.
•  Distribute daily appointment schedules to on-duty staff.
•  Oversee tasting room flow, ambiance, and overall guest satisfaction.
Sales, Administration & Inventory
•  Process tasting room, outreach, and phone sales in WineDirect POS.
•  Maintain accurate records and timely communication with guests and members.
•  Ensure the tasting room is fully stocked and properly merchandised.
•  Monitor inventory levels and request supplies as needed.
•  Coordinate wine and product transfers to shipping as required.
Events & Winery Support
•  Assist with preparation and execution of tasting room and membership events.
•  Represent the winery at off-site events as needed.
•  Perform support functions when required (glassware, restocking, setup).
•  Assist with other departments and managers with duties as assigned.
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Preferred Experience & Qualifications
•  Must be 21 years of age or older.
•  Previous hospitality experience in wine, restaurant, or hotel environments.
•  Tasting room experience with a proven record in wine sales and membership acquisition.
•  Exceptional customer service and strong verbal, written, email, and phone communication skills.
•  Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and accurate record-keeping abilities.
•  Comfortable with standard computer applications, including Excel, Word, WineDirect, ShipCompliant, RedChirp, and Tock (training provided).
•  Available to work weekends and holidays with schedule flexibility.
•  Professional appearance and demeanor with a commitment to high standards.
•  Able to stand and/or walk for extended periods.
•  Able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
Compensation
•  Base pay: $20-22/hr, doesn't include tips, sales commission, and wine club signup bonuses.
•  Expected average annually hourly: $30-42/hr, depending on sales experience.