Sommelier Resume Guide

Sommeliers are responsible for the wine selection in restaurants. They work with the chef to pair wines with menu items, and they train wait staff on proper wine service. Sommeliers also develop wine lists and manage wine inventory. Some sommeliers may also be responsible for beer and liquor selection.

You know more about wine than anyone else in the room. But to get hired as a sommelier, you need to show that on your resume. Write a document that highlights your passion for and expertise in wine, and you’ll be sure to land the job.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Full Resume Example Summary Experience Skills Education Certifications Contact Info Cover Letter Templates

Sommelier Resume Sample

Birdie Crooks
Sommelier

[email protected]
471-002-8403
linkedin.com/in/birdie-crooks

Summary

Accomplished sommelier with 9+ years of experience in upscale restaurants and wine retail. Seeking to leverage deep knowledge of wines, cheese pairings, and tasting techniques to grow ABC’s customer base and achieve sales goals. In previous roles increased revenue by up to 25% through effective merchandising and suggestive selling techniques.

Experience

Sommelier, Company ABC
Long Beach, Jan 2018 – Present

Revised wine list and increased sales by 15% within the first month.
Marketed new wine selections to customers, highlighting features and benefits in order to increase purchases.
Accurately paired wines with food orders 95% of the time, resulting in positive feedback from customers.
Recommended wine substitutions when necessary and upsold higher-priced items when appropriate.
Demonstrated excellent product knowledge, staying up-to-date on new arrivals, trends and industry news.

Sommelier, Company XYZ
Amarillo, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

Reorganized the wine cellar to achieve better space utilization and improved workflow; increased storage capacity by 15%.
Evaluated over 200 new wines from different vineyards and bottlings for quality, flavor profile and value; selected 120 bottles for purchase.
Successfully facilitated 10 large-scale wine tastings with up to 50 participants each, generating $5,000+ in revenue per event.
Assessed customer preferences and made recommendations accordingly, increasing sales of recommended wines by 20%.
Taught a series of educational seminars on wine appreciation, varietal characteristics and food pairing; attendance averaged 35 people per session.

Skills

Wine
Food And Beverage
Wine Tasting
Restaurants
Hospitality
Fine Dining
Food
Restaurant Management
Event Management

Education

Bachelor of Science in Food Science
University of Arizona
Nov 2011

Certifications

Certified Sommelier
Court of Master Sommeliers
May 2017

Related Resume Examples

All Examples

1. Summary / Objective

Your resume summary/objective is like a teaser for the rest of your sommelier resume – it should provide the hiring manager with an overview of your experience and skills, as well as compel them to read on.

In your summary, you could mention the types of wines you are most knowledgeable about, the certification you recently obtained, and how you successfully paired wines with food at a recent event.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Determined sommelier with 7+ years of experience in upscale restaurants and wine bars. Expertise in selecting, storing, and serving wines that perfectly complement menu items. Seeking to leverage advanced knowledge of viticulture and oenology to become the next head sommelier at ABC Restaurant Group. In previous roles, managed a team of 4 sommeliers and increased revenue by 15% through upselling premium wines.

Energetic and passionate sommelier with 6+ years of experience in some of the most prestigious restaurants in New York City. Skilled at wine pairing, wine education, and cellar management. Seeking to leverage expert knowledge of wines to become the next head sommelier at ABC Restaurant. In previous roles increased wine sales by 15% on average while maintaining high customer satisfaction ratings.

Professional sommelier with over a decade of experience in the food and beverage industry. At XYZ, managed stock for a wine cellar containing more than 1,000 bottles valued at $250,000. Demonstrated expert knowledge of pairings by successfully executing events such as weddings (200 guests), corporate functions (300 guests), and private parties (50 guests).

Enthusiastic and passionate sommelier with 6+ years of experience in the hospitality industry. Expertise in wine selection, food pairing, and cellar management. Seeking to leverage extensive knowledge to become the next head sommelier at ABC restaurant. In previous roles, increased sales by 18% through effective upselling techniques and provided top-notch customer service that resulted in a 30% return rate.

Diligent and passionate sommelier with 6+ years of experience in wine selection, cellar management, and pairing. In previous roles increased sales by up to 25% through effective recommendations and pairings. At ABC restaurant, managed a team of 3 servers and ensured that all guests had an excellent dining experience.

2. Experience / Employment

The work history/experience section is where you detail your previous employment. It should be written in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job at the top.

When writing this section, stick to bullet points for the majority of it; this will make it easier for the reader to take in what you have to say. When detailing what you did and the results achieved, try to be as specific as possible.

For example, instead of saying “Designed wine menus,” you could say “Created comprehensive wine menus that were both informative and easy-to-navigate, resulting in a 20% increase in sales.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Tasted
Evaluated
Selected
Paired
Recommended
Presented
Explained
Served
Upsold
Cross-sold
Promoted
Advocated
Marketed
Sold
Trained

Other general verbs you can use are:

Achieved
Advised
Assessed
Compiled
Coordinated
Demonstrated
Developed
Expedited
Facilitated
Formulated
Improved
Introduced
Mentored
Optimized
Participated
Prepared
Reduced
Reorganized
Represented
Revised
Spearheaded
Streamlined
Structured
Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

Confidently recommended wine pairings to customers based on their stated preferences and helped them to select the perfect bottle from our comprehensive menu.
Promoted the sale of high-margin wines and upsold customers on special offers, generating an additional $3,000 in revenue for the restaurant last quarter.
Streamlined the wine ordering process by developing strong relationships with suppliers and negotiating better terms; achieved a 10% reduction in costs while still maintaining quality standards.
Achieved advanced certification as a sommelier through completion of an intensive training course; can now expertly identify over 1,000 different types of wines from around the world.
Trained new waitstaff on proper wine service procedures and etiquette, ensuring that they are able to provide our guests with an exceptional dining experience from start to finish.

Spearheaded the wine selection process for the restaurant, working with the head chef to ensure that the wines complimented the food menu and vice versa.
Prepared and served wine tastings for up to 30 guests at a time, providing expert commentary on each vintage and educating them on grape varietals, terroir and winemaking techniques.
Formulated creative new drink menus featuring seasonal wines and unique pairings, boosting customer satisfaction by 17%.
Served as an expert consultant to private clients seeking advice on building their personal wine collections; helped them acquire over $500,000 worth of rare vintages in total.
Diligently followed all safety procedures when opening bottles and handling glasses, minimizing breakages & accidents by 25%.

Reliably provided wine recommendations to guests based on their personal preferences, ensuring that they had a positive dining experience.
Explained the taste, aroma and history of various wines to guests, increasing their understanding and appreciation for different types of wine.
Presented wines in an appealing way by decanting them and explaining their clarity, density and bouquet.
Utilized knowledge of fermentation, blending and dryness to recommend food pairings that would enhance the flavor of the wine.
Structured wine tastings for groups of up to 30 people, providing an educational yet enjoyable experience for all participants while promoting the winery’s products.

Improved wine sales by 35% through expert recommendations and upselling to customers.
Cross-sold complimentary dishes and appetizers that enhanced the wine-tasting experience for customers.
Compiled a comprehensive list of over 200 international and domestic wines, organized by type, region and price point.
Coordinated weekly shipments of new arrivals with suppliers, while maintaining an inventory of popular varieties in stock at all times.
Meticulously cleaned and polished glasses before each use to ensure optimal flavor presentation for every customer.

Reduced wine inventory by 15% through active management of stock and regular sales reporting.
Mentored 3 new sommeliers on wine pairings, service techniques and cellar management.
Developed an in-depth knowledge of over 200 international wines, their origins, production methods and ideal serving temperatures.
Advised guests on the best wines to order based on their personal preferences and budget; upsold wine selections whenever possible.
Actively participated in weekly wine tastings and monthly educational seminars to stay updated on industry trends.

Introduced diners to new wines and educated them on the bouquet, fermentation process, depth of flavor, and decanting techniques through thoughtful wine recommendations.
Upsold over 75% of customers to try a higher-end wine after explaining how it would complement their meal; increased total wine sales by $1,500 last quarter.
Participated in weekly staff tastings and shared feedback with the head sommelier to help select new wines for the restaurant’s menu.
Sold an average of 60 bottles per shift and generated $9,000+ in revenue; consistently achieved top sales among servers each month.
Thoroughly inspected each bottle before serving to ensure clarity, balance, and color; maintained cellar at optimal temperature and humidity levels at all times.

Effectively paired wine with food for over 500 customers, taking into account individual preferences and dietary restrictions.
Demonstrated expert knowledge of over 200 wines from around the world, educating customers on grape varietals, regions of origin and flavor profiles.
Advocated for sustainable viticulture practices and promoted small-production wineries to guests.
Expedited service by pre-selecting wine pairings in advance for large parties and events.
Selected new wines for restaurant’s menu, increasing sales by 15% year-over-year.

3. Skills

Skills requirements will differ from employer to employer – this can easily be ascertained from the job posting. One company may operate a high-end restaurant, and another, a more casual establishment.

One size doesn’t fit all; therefore, you want to tailor the skills section of your resume to each job that you are applying for. This is essential because many employers use applicant tracking systems these days. These computer programs scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.

You should further showcase your skills by mentioning them in other resume sections as well, such as the work experience section.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

Alcoholic Beverages
Banquets
Bartending
Beer
Beverage Industry
Business
Catering
Cellaring
Cleaning
Cocktails
Communication
Cooking
Creativity
Cuisine
Culinary Skills
Customer Service
Decanting
Event Management
Event Planning
Fine Dining
Food
Food And Beverage
Food Pairing
Food Service
Geography
Glassware
History
Hospitality
Hospitality Industry
Hospitality Management
Hotel Management
Hotels
Industry Knowledge
Inventory Management
Label Reading
Management
Marketing
Marketing Strategy
Menu Development
Micros
New Restaurant Openings
Opening
Organization
Passion For Wine
Pouring
Pre Opening
Product Knowledge
Restaurant Management
Restaurants
Sales
Sales Management
Serving
Serving Temperatures
Social Media Marketing
Social Networking
Storage
Tasting
Teamwork
Time Management
Wine
Wine And Spirits Industry
Wine Education
Wine Lists
Wine Sales
Wine Tasting
Winemaking
Wineries

4. Education

Including an education section on your resume for a sommelier job will depend on how much experience you have in the field. If you are just starting out, mention your degree or certification below your resume objective. However, if you have been working as a sommelier for years and have plenty of relevant experience to showcase, omitting the education section is perfectly fine.

If you do include an education section, list any degrees or certifications related to being a sommelier. Examples might include “Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts” or “Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers.”

Bachelor of Science in Food Science
University of Arizona
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications prove to potential employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge for the job. They also show that you are willing to invest in your professional development, which is always a plus.

If you are certified by a well-known organization, such as the Court of Master Sommeliers, include this information in your resume. It will give you a competitive edge over other applicants who do not have any certifications.

Certified Sommelier
Court of Master Sommeliers
May 2017

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Birdie Crooks, this would be Birdie-Crooks-resume.pdf or Birdie-Crooks-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Cover letters give you the opportunity to elaborate on your qualifications and experiences in a way that your resume cannot. They are also a chance to show off your writing skills and give some personality to your application.

While not all jobs will require you submit a cover letter, it is always best to include one. This way, you can be sure that the hiring manager gets a well-rounded picture of who you are and what you can bring to the table.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Olen,

I am writing in response to your advertisement for a Sommelier at your restaurant. I am confident that my education, certifications, and work experience make me the perfect candidate for this position.

I have always been passionate about food and wine, and I decided to turn my passion into a career by studying at the Culinary Institute of America. After graduating, I worked as a Sous Chef at several restaurants before becoming a Wine Director. In this role, I was responsible for selecting wines that paired well with the menu items, educating staff on wine service, and maintaining inventory levels.

In addition to my work experience, I hold the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) certification from the Society of Wine Educators and the Advanced Certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers. My knowledge of wine gives me the ability to make recommendations that will enhance your guests’ dining experience.

I am excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute to its success. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your name]