Sommelier - Full-time Year-round Position

Description

Where Fine Wine Meets Mountain Luxury: Join Our Team as a Sommelier

Join a legacy 107 years in the making! C Lazy U Ranch, one of America’s top guest ranches, is hiring for the 2026 summer season in beautiful Granby, Colorado. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service that sets us apart. To maintain this standard, we seek enthusiastic, service-oriented professionals with strong communication skills who go above and beyond to create unforgettable guest experiences. We offer below-market housing and three complimentary meals daily. Spend your summer in the Rockies—apply today!

Working Environment: Working Ranch & Guest Hospitality

SUMMARY:

The Sommelier is the Ranch's wine specialist and is responsible for developing and executing an exceptional wine program that enhances the guest experience and supports the Ranch's culinary vision. This position combines expert wine knowledge with genuine hospitality, providing personalized recommendations, professional wine service, thoughtful food and wine pairings, and memorable guest experiences.

Working closely with the Beverage Manager, Director of Food & Beverage, culinary team, and dining room team, the Sommelier leads wine selection, wine service, cellar standards, wine education, and wine-focused guest programming. The Beverage Manager maintains responsibility for overall beverage operations, departmental financial controls, and non-wine beverage programs.

The Sommelier is expected to be actively engaged in daily service and to lead through knowledge, hospitality, professionalism, by example.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Guest Experience

• Provide personalized wine recommendations based on guest preferences, menu selections, and dining experiences.

• Deliver professional wine service during lunch, dinner, special events, and private dining experiences.

• Conduct tableside wine presentations in an approachable, engaging, and educational manner.

• Build relationships with repeat guests and anticipate their wine preferences.

• Assist guests in exploring new varietals, regions, producers, and styles based upon individual preferences.

• Handle wine-related guest concerns professionally and create memorable hospitality experiences.

• Serve as the primary wine resource for guests and dining room team members.

Wine Program

• Develop and maintain a diverse, balanced wine list that complements the Ranch's culinary offerings and guest expectations.

• Recommend wines for purchase based upon quality, value, menu compatibility, guest preferences, and established financial parameters.

• Identify unique producers, vintages, varietals, and wine regions that enhance the Ranch wine program.

• Work with wine distributors to identify premium selections and secure appropriate allocations.

• Maintain professional wine-cellar organization, storage conditions, bottle rotation, and presentation standards.

• Recommend seasonal wine selections and food-and-wine pairings.

• Collaborate directly with culinary leadership on pairing dinners, tasting menus, and special culinary experiences.

• Regularly evaluate the wine list to ensure balance across price points, regions, varietals, and styles.

• Submit wines as needed for purchase to the Beverage MGR in a timely/weekly manner to ensure Beverage MGR is able to complete alcohol orders consistently meeting business needs.

• Communicate wine purchasing and inventory needs to the Beverage Manager and Director of Food & Beverage.

Wine Inventory & Cost Support

• Maintain accurate wine inventory records and cellar organization.

• Conduct wine inventory counts in coordination with the Beverage Manager.

• Identify wine inventory variances, slow-moving selections, and opportunities to improve the wine list.

• Make recommendations regarding wine pricing based upon cost, market position, and guest expectations.

• Maintain accurate records of wine purchases, transfers, and cellar movement.

• Provide wine inventory and purchasing information to the Beverage Manager for overall beverage cost reporting and financial management.

Wine Education & Team Development

• Lead wine education for dining room and Food & Beverage team members.

• Conduct regular wine tastings and educational sessions.

• Train dining room staff on varietals, regions, vintages, producers, wine terminology, and proper wine service.

• Coach servers to confidently recommend wines and food pairings.

• Develop the team's understanding of the Ranch wine list and featured selections.

• Support onboarding of new dining room employees through wine and wine-service education.

• Create an approachable learning environment that encourages continued development of wine knowledge.

• Collaborate with the Beverage Manager on broader beverage education while maintaining responsibility for wine-specific training.

Wine Service & Experiences

• Maintain consistent professional wine-service standards throughout Ranch dining experiences.

• Coordinate wine service for weddings, corporate events, cookouts, private dinners, and special Ranch functions.

• Develop and execute wine tastings, winemaker dinners, pairing dinners, and other wine-focused guest experiences.

• Assist culinary leadership with wine selections for special menus and events.

• Ensure appropriate glassware, decanters, wine-service tools, and presentation materials are available for service.

• Maintain cleanliness and organization of wine storage and wine-service areas.

• Participate in daily operational meetings and planning sessions as required.

• Coordinate wine requirements for events with the Beverage Manager and Dining Room Manager.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs all related duties as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Sommelier designation through the Court of Master Sommeliers, WSET Level 2 or higher, or equivalent experience preferred.

• Minimum of three years of professional wine-service experience in fine dining, luxury hospitality, resort, private club, or guest ranch environments.

• Strong understanding of international and domestic wine regions, varietals, vintages, producers, and food pairings.

• Demonstrated ability to provide polished yet approachable tableside wine service.

• Working knowledge of beer, spirits, and craft cocktails preferred.

• Excellent communication and guest-engagement skills.

• Strong organizational and cellar-management abilities.

• Proficiency with inventory and point-of-sale systems.

• Ability to remain calm and professional in a fast-paced hospitality environment.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Exceptional hospitality and interpersonal skills.

• Passion for wine education and mentoring others.

• Advanced palate and ability to communicate wine characteristics in an approachable manner.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Excellent time-management and organizational skills.

• Ability to multitask while maintaining exceptional guest service.

• Strong understanding of luxury hospitality standards.

• Self-motivated with a positive, team-first attitude.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to climb ladders or stairs to access wine storage.

• Ability to safely move and organize cases of wine.

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors during Ranch events.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Life at a guest ranch is unlike any other hospitality experience. The Sommelier works closely with guests and fellow team members in a relaxed yet refined atmosphere where authentic Western hospitality meets elevated dining. The role requires flexibility, enthusiasm, exceptional wine knowledge, and a willingness to assist wherever needed to ensure every guest enjoys an unforgettable Ranch experience.

Core Values

• A genuine passion for hospitality and wine.

• Commitment to excellence in every guest interaction.

• Integrity and accountability.

• Respect for teammates and guests.

• Continuous learning and professional development.

• Pride in representing the traditions and values of the Ranch.

Success Measures

• Guest satisfaction and feedback regarding wine service and recommendations.

• Wine sales and development of the Ranch wine program.

• Wine inventory accuracy and cellar organization.

• Quality and consistency of professional wine service.

• Staff wine knowledge and effectiveness of wine education.

• Quality and creativity of wine pairings and wine-focused guest experiences.

• Effective collaboration with the Beverage Manager, culinary team, and dining room team.

• Contribution to the overall guest dining experience.

Working Leader Expectation

At C Lazy U Ranch, every manager is a working leader who leads by example. The Sommelier is expected to actively participate in daily service while inspiring the team through wine knowledge, hospitality, professionalism, and a commitment to creating unforgettable dining experiences that reflect the unique spirit of the Ranch.

This Job Description is an overview of the scope of responsibilities for the Sommelier position and is not intended to be an inclusive list of tasks and expectations. Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job. I further understand that this Job Description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment and that the company reserves the right to revise and change duties as the need arises.