Head Sommelier

Seeking an experienced Head Sommelier for an exciting new Melbourne venue. Comprising an independently run elegant restaurant and bar alongside the Melbourne Place Hotel on Russell Street plus an eclectic destination basement bar accessed via Melbourne place lane way. Operated by multi award-winning, hatted restaurateurs – Ross & Sunny Lusted.

The restaurant will celebrate a unique culinary style, focusing on Iberian coastal dining and embracing the seafaring and fishing traditions of Port Melbourne. The wine list will focus on wines from Victoria and the Iberian peninsula, curated to complement and enhance the flavours of the kitchen, in particular the best, locally sourced seafood and the wood and charcoal cooking methods.

The ground-level dining room and bar will seat 110 guests, including a private dining room. The eclectic basement laneway bar will rapidly become a late-night hotspot, accommodating a further 100 guests.

The start date for this role will be early September 2024.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the wine programme for both venues: the restaurant and the downstairs bar
• Lead by example to ensure knowledgeable and personable wine service is offered to all guests, irrespective of taste and budget
• Have a strong presence in the venue and be on hand to answer questions from guests and team members alike
• Lead a passionate and driven wine team by supporting training, education and professional development
• Maintain an exciting and diverse wine list with a focus on the best wine from Victoria and across Australia wine, as well as a comprehensive selection of wines from the Iberian peninsula
• Responsible for wine training for all FOH staff
• Build strong relationships with suppliers to ensure competitive pricing across the wine list
• Identify opportunities to drive revenue through wine sales across both venues.
• Diligent stock management in line with budgets
• Drive beverage COGS based on budgets and KPIs provided.

Pre-opening duties

This role will involve pre-opening responsibilities, all of which will be carried out with the support and collaboration of the senior management team:

• Recruitment and training of wine team
• Working with the Venue Manager/General Manager to manage suppliers and deliveries
• Finalising wine list and creating tasting notes for the FOH team
• Organisation of the wine storage in the venue
• Establishing a sequence of service and operating procedures for the wine team
• Carrying out a comprehensive pre-opening stocktake

Key Selection Criteria

• Previous experience in a senior Sommelier role in a premium dining establishment (ideally hatted or starred).
• Passionate about wine and wine service
• Knowledgeable about Victorian wine and the most exciting producers and winemakers in the Victorian region
• Specific knowledge and enthusiasm for wine from the Iberian peninsula
• Experience of a new opening and pre-opening would be beneficial.
• Exceptional leadership skills with an enthusiasm for training and development.
• Sound commercial acumen and driven to deliver on KPIs.
• Exceptional grooming standards appropriate for a high-end dining environment.
• Availability and enthusiasm to have a strong presence in the venue at the busiest times of the week.

Why work for us

• An exciting opportunity for an experienced hospitality professional at the top of their game
• A chance to be part of Melbourne’s most anticipated new opening in 2024
• Competitive salary
• The full support of a nurturing and motivated management team
• Onsite discounts and benefits