Brooks Wine, a legacy wine brand in the Willamette Valley, is looking to add a critical role to their team; a Tasting Room Education Lead. This crucial role within the hospitality department will play a large role in the evolution of Brooks and it's continued presence as a leader in Oregon and in wine.

The ideal candidate is someone who loves sharing wine knowledge, thrives in a hospitality environment, and enjoys helping others grow. This role is perfect for a wine professional who wants to lead from the floor while building a stronger culture of learning and storytelling within the tasting room.

Position Summary

The Tasting Room Education Lead is a hospitality leader responsible for delivering exceptional guest experiences while cultivating a culture of wine education within the tasting room team. This role combines floor leadership with structured wine education, ensuring guests receive engaging storytelling around the wines while team members continue to grow their product knowledge and sales skills.

At its core, the Education Lead is an active tasting room associate who hosts guests, leads service, and supports daily operations. In addition, this role mentors the team, leads wine education sessions, and helps ensure the tasting room staff has the tools and knowledge needed to create memorable wine experiences.

Tasting Room Associates serve as the primary connection between guests and the winery, guiding guests through Brooks’ story, wines, food pairings, and wine club offerings while creating meaningful and memorable visits.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Experience
- Welcome first-time guests and thank wine club members for their membership.
- Guide guests through the story of Brooks, our commitments, and the wines and pairings being served.
- Create warm, engaging experiences that encourage guests to explore wines and return in the future.
- Share current promotions, seasonal offerings, and special experiences.
- Provide thoughtful wine recommendations tailored to guest preferences.
- Maintain awareness of guest needs across the tasting room, assisting with service items when needed.
- Record detailed guest visit notes in CRM systems to personalize future visits.

Floor Leadership & Team Support
- Ensure the tasting room team has the tools, resources, and information needed for successful service.
- Lead daily service operations including section assignments, pre-shift communication, and shift goals.
- Provide guidance and redirection when needed to maintain high hospitality standards.
- Support team members with wine knowledge, wine club information, and guest service questions.
- Coordinate with culinary and concierge teams to ensure seamless guest experiences.
- Monitor the overall condition of the tasting room, service areas, and guest spaces throughout the day.
- Ensure opening and closing procedures are completed properly.
- Serve as a point of contact for guest questions or concerns when management is unavailable.
- The Lead role carries an elevated level of responsibility and authority, requiring consistent leadership that supports and encourages the tasting room team.

Wine Education & Training
-Lead structured wine education for the tasting room team.
-Conduct quarterly education sessions highlighting Brooks’ story, vineyards, and wines.
-Facilitate monthly flight trainings so staff can confidently speak about current wines.
-Train new tasting room team members on wine knowledge and guest experiences.
-Collaborate with leadership to develop educational programming and experiences.
-Support the planning and execution of educational events such as Brooks Wine Lab sessions.
-Encourage continuous learning and curiosity about wine among the team.

Sales & Wine Club Growth
-Actively support tasting room sales goals and wine club acquisition.
-Introduce guests to the Brooks Wine Club community during their visit.
-Help the team develop strong wine storytelling and sales techniques.
-Encourage thoughtful guest engagement that leads to purchases and repeat visits.
-Support revenue growth by strengthening product knowledge and guest connection.

Leadership Expectations
-Lead by example in hospitality, professionalism, and accountability.
-Be approachable and supportive for teammates seeking assistance or guidance.
-Gently delegate tasks and maintain awareness of service flow.
-Attend weekly lead alignment meetings and communicate operational updates to the team.
-Be the last team member to clock out after confirming all closing tasks are completed.

Qualifications
-Strong passion for wine, hospitality, and guest education
-Previous tasting room or hospitality leadership experience preferred
-Ability to speak confidently in front of groups
-Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
-Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment
-Strong attention to detail and accountability
-Ability to work weekends and some holidays
-Ability to lift 40 lbs and remain standing for extended periods
-Experience with Comm7 and TOCK a plus

Why Brooks?
Brooks was founded in 1998 by Jimi Brooks and is built on community, stewardship of the land, and a deep belief that wine brings people together. We are B Corp certified, a 1% for the Planet Business and Demeter Certified Biodynamic.

If you love wine, hospitality, and helping others grow, we would love to meet you.

Salary: Competitive base with commissions, incentives and tips

Benefits:
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Employee discount
Health insurance
Paid sick time
Paid time off
Holidays
Paid training
Vision insurance
Life insurance