Associate Winemaker Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Description

In the vibrant, growing wine region of Paso Robles, Robert Hall Winery stands as a pioneering estate and a recognized leader in sustainable winegrowing. Family-owned and operated, led by Jeff O'Neill, a third-generation agriculturalist, the winery carries forward a legacy of hard work, warm hospitality, and deep respect for the land. Under winemaker Amanda Gorter, Robert Hall crafts award-winning wines and made history with the first nationally distributed Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) wine. Additionally, Robert Hall has been awarded Certified California Sustainable, ISO 14001, and B Corp credentials. From the estate vineyard to the iconic 19,000-square-foot underground barrel cave, every bottle reflects a commitment to land, craft, and The Good Life, Shared.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

As a Tasting Room Associate / Wine Educator, you embody our hospitality philosophy, curating refined, personalized wine experiences that reflect the elegance, craftsmanship, and sense of place of our winery. Each guest interaction is an opportunity to create a lasting impression through thoughtful service, engaging storytelling, and an intuitive understanding of guest needs. This role extends beyond service into experience curation. You cultivate meaningful relationships, anticipate preferences, and deliver bespoke tasting experiences that inspire connection, loyalty, and discovery. With a balance of warmth, sophistication, and expertise, you guide guests through our wines, our story, and our estate with authenticity and intention.

In a dynamic, team-driven environment, you collaborate seamlessly across departments to ensure flawless execution of both daily service and special events. As a trusted ambassador of the brand, you uphold the highest standards of hospitality while contributing to wine sales, membership growth, and long-term guest engagement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following reflects management's definition of essential functions for this job, but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

• Welcome each guest with genuine warmth and professionalism, creating a highly personalized and memorable experience
• Lead curated tasting experiences and tours, articulating wine profiles, winemaking techniques, vineyard practices, and brand stories with confidence and elegance
• Build authentic relationships with guests, recognizing preferences and tailoring each experience to feel exclusive and intentional
• Inspire wine purchases and wine club memberships through thoughtful engagement, storytelling, and a deep understanding of guest needs
• Accurately process transactions using POS systems, including purchases, returns, and daily reconciliation
• Collaborate closely with hospitality, culinary, and concierge teams to ensure seamless guest flow and elevated service execution
• Maintain an immaculate and inviting environment across all guest-facing areas, upholding luxury presentation standards
• Support the execution of winery member events, trade events, and client events, including setup, guest engagement, and breakdown, ensuring a polished and cohesive experience
• Serve as a brand ambassador both on-site and at off-site events, representing the winery with professionalism and integrity
• Maintain current knowledge of wines, vintages, compliance regulations, and shipping laws to guide guest purchases with confidence
• Continuously expand knowledge of wine, hospitality, and sales techniques through training and self-development
• Champion company values, including sustainability initiatives and a commitment to excellence
• Communicate effectively, collaborate with intention, and contribute to a positive, high-performing team environment
• Adapt gracefully to changing priorities and guest needs in a fast-paced setting
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

To fulfill this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

• 2+ years of experience in luxury hospitality, wine service, or sales preferred
• Exceptional guest service skills with a polished, engaging, and professional presence
• Natural ability to build rapport and create meaningful guest connections
• Passion for wine, food, and agriculture, with a desire to continuously deepen knowledge
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to multitask, remain composed under pressure, and adapt to evolving service demands
• Highly detail-oriented with a commitment to excellence in execution
• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a proactive and solution-driven approach
• Comfortable using technology, including POS systems (experience with Tock and Commerce7 a plus)
• Availability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and special events
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• California Food Handler Certification (required within 30 days of hire)
• California Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Certification (required within 30 days of hire)
• Additional alcohol service certifications as required

CULTURAL BEHAVIORS:

O'Neill team members are Forward Thinkers. Hard Working without Drama. Friendly Problem Solvers who work as One Team to Always Deliver.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to do the following: 

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and move for extended periods of time.
• Perform repetitive motions and physically active tasks throughout the shift.
• Lift, move, and carry items up to 50 lbs, including boxes and equipment.
• Ability to climb ladders and stairs as needed.
• Perform physical tasks including reaching, grasping, stooping, squatting, pushing, and pulling.
• Effectively coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. 
• Interpret and follow instructions, policies, and procedures. 
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with a diverse population.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is normally performed in a tasting room/kitchen/hospitality environment, including indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying extremes of weather, including heat, cold, and rain.
• Noise levels are usually moderate but may be moderate to high at times.
• A percentage of work time may be spent in a wine warehouse and cellar where temperatures are cool, and the noise level is usually moderate.
• Floors may be wet and slippery; proper footwear is required.

California Pay Transparency Notice: This position is classified as non-exempt. The base compensation range for this role is $18.00-$19.50/hour. Candidates are generally not hired at or near the maximum of the base compensation range. Final salary placement will depend on several factors, which may include the candidate's qualifications, education, relevant experience, and alignment with current market data. In addition to the salary, this position may be eligible for bonuses, incentive plans, or participate in tasting room tip pools, as applicable.

O'Neill Vintners & Distillers is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions, including hiring, promotion, discipline, and discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

All employees must pass a comprehensive background check and drug screen and adhere to all Company, Federal, and State Food Safety Regulations and Policies. This organization participates in E-Verify.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES

Please note that we do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Services Agreement, we will not consider or agree to any payment of referral compensation or a recruiter fee. In the event that a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, we explicitly reserve the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.