The Tequila Sommelier enhances the La Hacienda dining experience by delivering expert knowledge, personalized recommendations, and elevated beverage experiences centered around tequila, mezcal, and premium spirits. This role drives restaurant revenue by increasing dinner capture, enhancing guest engagement, supporting large party and group opportunities, and creating memorable tasting experiences. Working closely with the La Hacienda General Manager, the Tequila Sommelier will help develop and manage the spirits, wine, and tequila program while creating marketing, PR, and special event opportunities that showcase the restaurant’s unique beverage offerings.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Position welcomes our guests by personally offering & up-selling a selection of cocktails, our impressive selection of over 240 tequilas, tequila flights, margaritas, freshly muddled mojitos, sangrias and other Mexican cocktail favorites--all prepared with fresh-squeezed juices and fruit purees in a sommelier type role on the floor nightly when open.
- Responsible for ordering, inventory and maintenance of Tequila offering & program
- Responsible to conduct continuous Tequila training with service team and provides complete training for all new hires
- Assist in pre-shift meetings and educating team on new and exiting information/trends of Tequila & beverage program
- Assist greeter staff to welcome/bid farewell to all guests and ensure guests receive responsive, professional, and gracious service
- Assist service staff with all aspects of dining experience when needed during high volume times (Ex. Flaming Coffees, Bar Service, Bussing, Food Running, etc.)
- Ability to answer questions regarding the menu, specific food items, the Tequila/Wine list or any other inquiries the guest may have
- Drive post & pre dinner beverage sales in Tequila Room
- Promote restaurant and Tequila Tastings with resort leisure services team requesting referrals for private paid tastings
- Promote restaurant private dining and tequila tastings with area concierges and businesses
- Promote, expand and take ownership La Hacienda Happy Hour to local market
- Create unique special event experience with Restaurant Sales Manager to drive large party sales
- Host local concierges, caddy’s, networking groups and on property key departments to promote La Hacienda experience
- Represent restaurant at local culinary events while promoting private dining room, beverage and private tasting sales
- Make direct sale calls to local corporate executives and sales offices to promote restaurant private dining room sales and private tasting room experiences
- Promote and create special on property activities and events to enhance La Hacienda dinner offering and to increase capture for in-house guests
- Work with P/R and Marketing team to promote La Hacienda, Tequila Goddess position and Tequila beverage program exclusively
- Responsible for creating new and creative initiatives to promote for La Hacienda marketing program
Seasonally:
- Ongoing training of new staff of beverage program
- Champion of Passion Project experience
- Champion of Greeter team and training program
Daily/Weekly:
- Work on floor as seen fit by La Hacienda General Manager
- In-house and local sales outreach