Retail Sales & hospitality Associate

Join Our Passionate Team at Ridge Vineyards:
Crafting Exceptional Wines, Connecting with Nature. Explore Opportunities Across Roles and Embrace Our Commitment to Excellence and Sustainability. OBJECTIVE:
To provide exceptional guest service experience to consumers, wine club members, and members of the trade visiting our Paso Robles Tasting Room. The Retail Sales & Hospitality Associate plays a key role in delivering Ridge’s elevated hospitality standards while effectively conducting the sale of wine, wine club memberships, and non-wine merchandise. This individual must be self‑motivated, articulate, and service-oriented, and be available to work weekends, holidays and weekdays as needed.

• Provide guests with a memorable and unique experience through:
  Personal greetings and farewells, using guest’s names whenever possible. Enhanced education about Ridge Vineyard’s history and wines including all relevant appellation and Vineyard information. Anticipation of guests' needs in the areas of sales, service and concierge services. Developing relationships with guests to stimulate repeat visits and future sales. Hosting unique, engaging and educational tastings. Delivering effective sales strategies that result in the sale of wines and wine club memberships while keeping with our service and hospitality standards.

• Daily Operations. Thorough understanding and ability to operate direct Point-of-Sale/CRM systems (Commerce7/Salesforce) including; ringing sales transactions, researching guest purchase and wine club history, etc. Provide adequate set up and breakdown of Tasting Room and Private Tasting Areas;
  Stocking of wines, non-wine merchandise and various marketing materials;
  Breaking down and recycling all necessary elements including cardboard & glass;
  Maintaining wine for tasting through bottle opening, sensory analysis and decantation;
  Packaging wine for guests, including transporting wines to guests’ automobiles;
  Answering phones when necessary, re‑directing incoming calls to the appropriate parties;
  Providing accurate and timely execution of shipping orders;
  Continuously monitoring and maintaining the condition and appearance of the tasting room and surrounding ground;
  Maintaining accurate inventory of wine and non‑wine products through precise transactional processing of sales, returns and mark outs;
  Providing end‑of‑day tasting room breakdown including; washing all dishes, putting away all marketing materials, cleaning of tasting bar, office and surrounding retail areas.

• Ongoing Weekly & Monthly Duties. Actively participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings;
  Conduct special tours and participate in special events as needed;
  Stay current on recent wine reviews and industry trends;
  Stay current on all relevant Responsible Hospitality Standards, and all relevant rules and regulations as regards the serving of alcoholic beverages.

• Non‑essential
  
  Duties and Responsibilities:
  
  Performs all related duties as assigned.

• Undergraduate college degree preferred
• Prior experience in a wine service environment preferred
• Prior experience in the luxury hospitality industry with emphasis on outstanding guest service preferred
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral
• Excellent organizational skills
• Collaborative/team operational skills
• Ability to make empowered decisions that positively affect the customer’s experience
• Computer proficiency:
  Word, Excel, Outlook, Commerce7, Sales Force, Tock, etc.
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work at special events on multiple weekend days and evenings periodically throughout the year
• Ability to regularly lift 40 lbs.
• Ability to accept and maintain all discipline and behavior standards unique to the alcoholic beverage industry
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors, in varying weather environments, on potentially uneven ground of varying material
• This position requires obtaining ABC‑approved Responsible Serving Certification within 2 weeks of hire date. Ridge will compensate staff for online training, up to 5 hours. Additional program details will be provided on first day of employment

Hourly rate: $ 18-20 - depending on experience

At Ridge Vineyards, we're a community passionate about crafting exceptional wines and creating memorable experiences. With a rich history dating back to 1962 we pride ourselves on our commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation. Our team is composed of dedicated individuals who share a common love for wine and a drive for excellence. From vineyard management to hospitality, we value teamwork, integrity, and creativity in everything we do.