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Restaurant Wine Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Wine Director & Service Manager supports the General Manager and ownership in overseeing daily front-of-house operations, with primary responsibility for the restaurant's wine program and a ...

The Wine Director & Service Manager supports the General Manager and ownership in overseeing daily front-of-house operations, with primary responsibility for the restaurant's wine program and a ...

The Wine Director & Service Manager supports the General Manager and ownership in overseeing daily front-of-house operations, with primary responsibility for the restaurant's wine program and a ...

The wine steward position offers an opportunity for those who have restaurant experience to seriously pursue wine as a profession. Under the direction of the wine director, the wine steward will ...

The wine steward position offers an opportunity for those who have restaurant experience to seriously pursue wine as a profession. Under the direction of the wine director, the wine steward will ...

The wine steward position offers an opportunity for those who have restaurant experience to seriously pursue wine as a profession. Under the direction of the wine director, the wine steward will ...

Oversees Panache fine dining restaurant, including staff scheduling and performance management ... Assists Director of Food & Beverage with Ibis wine menu selections. Provides timely updates to ...

Wine Manager

West Hollywood, CA · On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

Our company is built on integrity, creating the world's best restaurants, nightlife, and events ... Working closely with the Wine Director, this role is responsible for key administrative and ...

Our company is built on integrity, creating the world's best restaurants, nightlife, and events ... Working closely with the Wine Director, this role is responsible for key administrative and ...

Wine Director

West Palm Beach, FL · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Oversees Panache fine dining restaurant, including staff scheduling and performance management ... Director on all wine program information. * Adheres to company standards and service level to ...

Oversees Panache fine dining restaurant, including staff scheduling and performance management ... Assists Director of Food & Beverage with Ibis wine menu selections. Provides timely updates to ...

Candidates must have previous wine director or sommelier experience in a high end restaurant ... setting. Night and weekend availability is required. Please email us at work@thenautilus.com to ...

Wine Director / Sommelier

Boston, MA · On-site

$75K - $89K/yr

Candidates must have previous wine director or sommelier experience in a high end restaurant ... setting. Night and weekend availability is required. Please email us at work@thenautilus.com to ...

Wine Director / Sommelier

Boston, MA · On-site

$75K - $89K/yr

Candidates must have previous wine director or sommelier experience in a high end restaurant ... setting. Night and weekend availability is required. Please email us at work@thenautilus.com to ...

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Restaurant Wine Director information

See salary details

$24.5K

$71.1K

$169.5K

How much do restaurant wine director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for restaurant wine director in the United States is $71,067.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $91,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a restaurant wine director?

A Restaurant Wine Director is a professional responsible for curating, managing, and overseeing a restaurant's wine program. Their duties include selecting wines that complement the menu, managing wine inventory, training staff on wine service, and often assisting guests with wine selections. Wine Directors collaborate closely with chefs to create harmonious food and wine pairings and may also organize wine tastings or wine-related events. This role requires extensive knowledge of wine regions, varietals, and service standards, as well as strong organizational and customer service skills.

How does a restaurant wine director collaborate with chefs and the front-of-house team to create a successful wine program?

A Restaurant Wine Director works closely with chefs to design wine pairings that complement the menu, often participating in menu tastings and seasonal planning. They also train and guide the front-of-house staff, ensuring servers and sommeliers are knowledgeable and confident in recommending wines to guests. Regular communication and collaboration with both kitchen and service teams help create a cohesive dining experience, align on new offerings, and maintain high service standards. This teamwork is essential for driving wine sales and guest satisfaction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a restaurant wine director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Restaurant Wine Director, you need deep knowledge of wine varietals, regions, and food pairings, often supported by certification such as a sommelier diploma or WSET qualification. Familiarity with inventory management systems, point-of-sale software, and purchasing platforms is typically required. Outstanding customer service, communication, and leadership skills help you guide guests and train staff effectively. These competencies ensure the wine program enhances the dining experience, drives sales, and maintains smooth restaurant operations.

What is the difference between Restaurant Wine Director vs Restaurant Sommelier?

AspectRestaurant Wine DirectorRestaurant Sommelier
CredentialsWSET or Court of Master Sommeliers certifications often preferredWSET, Court of Master Sommeliers, or equivalent certifications
Work EnvironmentOversees wine program, manages staff, and develops wine listsProvides wine service, recommends pairings, and interacts directly with guests
Employer & Industry UsageFound in upscale restaurants, hotels, and resortsCommon in fine dining restaurants and wine-focused establishments
Search & Comparison IntentOften searched for in managerial or program development contextsTypically searched for in guest service and wine expertise contexts

The main difference is that a Restaurant Wine Director manages the overall wine program and staff, while a Restaurant Sommelier focuses on guest service, wine recommendations, and direct interaction with diners. Both roles require similar certifications and are integral to upscale dining environments, but their responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

More about Restaurant Wine Director jobs

What cities are hiring for Restaurant Wine Director jobs?

Cities with the most Restaurant Wine Director job openings:

What job categories do people searching Restaurant Wine Director jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Restaurant Wine Director jobs are:

Infographic showing various Restaurant Wine Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, and 28% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $71,067 per year, or $34.2 per hour.

Wine Director

Kiko

New York, NY

$85K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

The Wine Director & Service Manager supports the General Manager and ownership in overseeing daily front-of-house operations, with primary responsibility for the restaurant’s wine program and a strong supporting role in service leadership, team development, and guest satisfaction.

This is a highly hands-on position that combines wine leadership with active floor management. The Wine Director & Service Manager is expected to be present and engaged during service, supporting the management team and staff while helping ensure smooth, warm, and consistent hospitality. They lead by example with a calm, professional, and positive presence on the floor, assisting with service execution, coaching the team, reinforcing standards, resolving guest needs, and supporting communication between FOH and BOH.

As the leader of the wine program, this role is responsible for maintaining and developing the wine list, overseeing all aspects of cellar organization and maintenance, managing wine inventory, monitoring and reporting wine costs, and contributing to purchasing and wine selection. The Wine Director & Service Manager will also select and maintain the restaurant’s by-the-glass and sommelier pours, with a focus on quality, profitability, seasonality, and alignment with Kiko’s overall beverage program.

Team education is an important component of the role. The Wine Director & Service Manager will plan and lead weekly wine education sessions, provide ongoing coaching and training around wine and beverage service, and ensure the team has the knowledge and confidence to speak about and sell the wine program effectively. In addition, they will organize and secure quarterly ticketed wine maker dinners for our guests. 
During service, the Wine Director & Service Manager will actively support wine sales and hospitality on the floor, assisting guests with wine selections, taking an active role in tableside wine service when appropriate, and working alongside the service team to drive wine sales while maintaining a thoughtful and guest-focused approach.

In addition to wine responsibilities, the role provides day-to-day management support to the General Manager and ownership, including team communication, staff development, training, scheduling support, service standards, and other operational needs. The position should be viewed as both a Wine Director and a working service manager, with a significant expectation of active participation in daily service and FOH leadership.

The ideal candidate is knowledgeable and passionate about wine, while equally comfortable managing a busy dining room, supporting a team, and stepping into any area of service where needed. They understand that exceptional wine programs are ultimately part of exceptional hospitality and are committed to being a visible, hands-on leader for both the wine program and the service team.

More detail about Kiko part of Kiko and Noury, please visit https://culinaryagents.com/entities/707281-Kiko