Shop 9, Montecasino Fourways, Gauteng

Position Overview

Verdicchio is seeking an exceptional, highly knowledgeable, and charismatic Sommelier to curate and elevate the wine experience for our guests. Home to a world-class, large-scale wine holding, our establishment caters to an elite clientele of wine connoisseurs, corporate leaders, and discerning diners.

In this prestigious role, you will be the custodian of our extensive wine cellar. You will be responsible for guiding guests through our collection, designing seamless food-and-wine pairings, managing high-value inventory, and driving beverage revenue. The ideal candidate blends an academic mastery of global and local viticulture with the art of effortless hospitality, transforming wine service into an unforgettable sensory experience.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Experience & Floor Service

Tableside Wine Consultations: Engage with guests, regular patrons, and VIPs to understand their preferences, recommending optimal wine selections and premium pairings that complement our culinary offerings.

Flawless Beverage Service: Execute and oversee pristine wine service standards, including proper temperature control, precise decanting protocols, and the selection of appropriate premium glassware.

Revenue Optimization: Proactively drive the sale of high-value bins, rare vintages, and premium digestifs, maximizing beverage profitability without compromising guest trust.

Cellar Management & Procurement

Asset Safeguarding: Maintain meticulous organization and security of Verdicchio’s high-value wine holdings, ensuring ideal cellaring conditions (temperature, humidity, and light control).

Inventory Control: Perform accurate, regular stock counts of the wine cellar, tracking variances, managing waste, and ensuring the physical inventory reconciles perfectly with the POS system.

List Curation & Sourcing: Work alongside management and stakeholders to continuously evaluate, update, and enhance the wine list, maintaining strong relationships with premium estates, boutique winemakers, and distributors.

Team Training & Beverage Culture

Staff Mentorship: Design and facilitate regular, high-impact wine training sessions for the front-of-house team, enhancing their confidence in basic wine knowledge, basic pairings, and upselling techniques.

Pre-Shift Collaboration: Partner with the Executive Chef and Senior Management during pre-shift briefings to highlight specific wine pairings for daily specials or tailored tasting menus.

Experience and Qualifications
Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of experience operating as a Sommelier or Wine Steward within a high-end fine dining restaurant, luxury 5-star hotel, or a prestigious wine estate.

Formal Credentials: A recognized professional wine qualification is essential.

Examples include: WSET Level 3 or higher, Court of Master Sommeliers (Certified Sommelier), Cape Wine Academy Diploma, or South African Sommelier Association (SASA) certification.

Product Knowledge: Deep expertise in both South African terroirs and prominent global wine regions, alongside a comprehensive understanding of premium spirits, sake, cigars, and digestifs.

Systems: Proficiency in premium restaurant POS systems (e.g., Micros, Pilot) and advanced inventory management/wine listing software.

Key Competencies & Attributes

Approachability & Charm: The ability to speak about complex wines in an accessible, engaging manner, catering effortlessly to both novice wine drinkers and serious collectors.

Polished Demeanor: Impeccable grooming, an elegant tableside manner, and refined communication skills suited for luxury hospitality.

Commercial Acumen: A strong understanding of cost-of-sales (COS), margin management, and the financial metrics involved in managing a high-value asset collection.

Meticulous Nature: An obsession with details—from updating a vintage on the physical menu to spotting a misplaced bottle in a cellar of thousands.

What We Offer

A premium, highly competitive salary package reflective of the role’s specialized nature.

Performance-driven incentives or commission structures tied to cellar profitability and beverage targets.

The privilege of managing and showcasing one of the most prestigious, extensive wine collections in the industry.

Application

To Apply: Please submit your professional CV, details of your formal wine qualifications, a recent photograph, and a short motivational letter outlining your philosophy on wine service

Exceptional Mediterranean cuisine with an extensive wine collection in the heart of Montecasino, Johannesburg.

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