Sommelier

About The First Group Hospitality – The First Group Hospitality is a leading hospitality management company pioneering a new era of excellence. With a rapidly expanding portfolio of award-winning upscale hotels, signature restaurants, and distinctive leisure destinations, we are committed to creating unforgettable experiences at every touchpoint.

Our team of seasoned professionals brings decades of experience from renowned hotel brands, combined with a deep understanding of the Dubai and GCC markets. With a comprehensive infrastructure spanning all key areas of hotel management, we offer tailored solutions to maximise efficiency, drive revenue growth, and enhance guest satisfaction.

At The First Group Hospitality, we are dedicated to building long-term partnerships with our clients. By leveraging our global insights, regional expertise, and strong operational foundation, we ensure that every aspect of your hotel is managed with precision and care. Our goal is to optimise performance, boost profitability, and deliver sustainable growth for your property.

We are seeking a highly skilled and passionate Sommelier to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for managing and curating the hotel’s wine and beverage offerings, providing expert wine recommendations, and enhancing the dining experience for guests. As the Sommelier, you will work closely with the kitchen, food and beverage teams, and guests to ensure an exceptional wine service experience, while maintaining high standards in inventory management and wine cellar organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Curate and manage the wine list, ensuring a diverse and well-rounded selection that complements the hotel’s menu offerings. Stay up to date with wine trends, new releases, and market changes.
• Provide expert wine recommendations to guests based on their meal choices, preferences, and dietary requirements. Educate guests about wine pairings and enhance their overall dining experience.
• Oversee wine service during meals, ensuring wines are served at the proper temperature and poured correctly. Demonstrate proper wine presentation and decanting techniques when appropriate.
• Oversee the organization and maintenance of the hotel’s wine cellar. Ensure proper storage conditions, inventory tracking, and rotation to prevent spoilage and minimize waste.
• Monitor stock levels of wines, spirits, and other beverages. Order wine and related products as needed, working within budget constraints. Assist with cost control and ensure efficient stock management.
• Train and educate the food and beverage staff on the wine list, service techniques, and proper wine handling. Provide tastings and workshops to enhance the team’s wine knowledge.
• Assist in organizing wine-focused events, tastings, and wine pairings for guests or special events hosted by the hotel. Work with the events team to create tailored wine experiences.
• Build rapport with regular guests and wine enthusiasts, providing personalized service. Handle guest inquiries or complaints regarding wine selections or service professionally and promptly.
• Ensure the wine list reflects the hotel’s brand and meets the expectations of guests. Make recommendations for new wines to include and remove wines that no longer meet the hotel’s standards.
• Work closely with the chef and kitchen team to ensure wine pairings are tailored to seasonal menus and special dishes. Communicate wine availability and service timing to the team.
• Attend wine tastings, festivals, and educational programs to stay informed about new wines, trends, and developments in the industry.

• Knowledge of wine regions, varietals, and food pairings.
• Previous experience as a Sommelier in a hotel, fine dining restaurant, or upscale hospitality environment is required.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to educate and interact with guests in an approachable manner.
• Customer service-oriented, with a passion for delivering exceptional dining experiences.
• Excellent organizational skills to maintain inventory, wine cellar, and ordering systems efficiently.
• Ability to work under pressure, especially during peak meal times, and to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• A team player who works well with kitchen, bar, and waitstaff to ensure a seamless dining experience.
• Attention to detail, particularly in ensuring the wine list remains current, organized, and aligned with the hotel’s brand and guest preferences.