Fearrington House

Company Description

Fearrington Village is an English-inspired property nestled in the idyllic countryside of North Carolina. Our southern hospitality is part of everything we do as we aim to make each of our guests feel welcome. 

Located 15 minutes from Chapel Hill, our property is one of the original Relais & Chateaux destinations in North America since 1980, complete with an award-winning fine-dining restaurant, luxury 32-room inn, spa, boutique shops, a beer and pizza garden, events spaces, and one of the state’s last remaining independent bookstores.

The Fearrington House Restaurant was awarded The Best Hotel Wine List in the World for 2020 by the World of Fine Wines Magazine and has held the Best of Award of Excellence distinction with Wine Spectator since 2004. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Hourly compensation depends on experience + percentage of the nightly tip pool
• After a 90-day probation period, the employee is entitled to the following:
  • Health, Dental, Vision Insurance through BCBSNC
  • STD/LTD. Life and other ancillary plans
  • PTO and Sick Pay
  • 20% Discount in the village, excluding alcoholic beverages
  • Annual complimentary dinner and stay at The Fearrington House Inn and Restaurant
  • Discounts with other Relais & Chateaux properties
  • 401(k) and match at 1 year of employment

Job Description

Fearrington Village is seeking a knowledgeable, engaging, and hospitality-driven Sommelier to join our wine team. This is a unique opportunity for someone who loves wine and enjoys both the service and retail sides of the industry.

The Sommelier will work across Fearrington Village’s wine program, with responsibilities spanning The Fearrington House Restaurant and Galloway’s Wine Shop & Bar. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable guiding a guest through a fine-dining wine experience, helping a customer select a bottle to enjoy at home, maintaining an extensive cellar, and assisting with tastings, wine dinners, and special events.

What You'll Do

• Provide knowledgeable, approachable wine service at The Fearrington House Restaurant, assisting guests with selections and pairings that complement their menu choices and preferences.
• Work closely with our culinary and service teams to maintain the high level of hospitality for which The Fearrington House is known.
• Support the day-to-day operation of Galloway’s Wine Shop & Bar, including retail wine sales, guest recommendations, tastings, wine flights, and special events.
• Develop genuine relationships with guests, residents, and customers while making wine approachable and enjoyable for everyone—from the curious beginner to the experienced collector.
• Assist with wine purchasing, receiving, organization, storage, pricing, and inventory management across Fearrington Village.
• Maintain accurate cellar and retail inventories and assist with regular inventory counts and reconciliation.
• Help maintain and update restaurant wine lists, retail selections, tasting notes, and other wine-related materials.
• Work with distributors, importers, wineries, and other industry partners to stay current on new releases, vintages, allocations, and emerging producers.
• Participate in staff wine education and help restaurant, bar, and retail teams build their wine knowledge and confidence.
• Assist with planning and executing wine dinners, winemaker events, classes, tastings, and other special wine experiences throughout Fearrington Village.
• Support private events and weddings when specialized wine knowledge or service is needed.
• Ensure proper wine storage, cellar organization, rotation, temperature control, and handling.
• Assist with maintaining appropriate wine costs, pricing, margins, and inventory levels.
• Stay informed about wine regions, producers, vintages, varietals, current industry trends, and food-and-wine pairing.
• Represent Fearrington Village and its wine program with warmth, professionalism, curiosity, and enthusiasm.

What We're Looking For

• A genuine passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Previous sommelier, wine retail, fine-dining, or beverage experience strongly preferred.
• Sommelier certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers, WSET, Society of Wine Educators, or a comparable program is preferred, but significant professional wine experience will also be considered.
• Experience with wine inventory, purchasing, cellar management, or retail wine operations is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to discuss wine in a way that is knowledgeable without being intimidating
• Comfortable balancing fine-dining service, retail responsibilities, inventory management, and special events.
• Ability to work collaboratively with culinary, restaurant, retail, events, and management teams.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events as needed.
• Must meet all applicable requirements for the service and sale of alcoholic beverages in North Carolina.

Why Fearrington?

At Fearrington Village, wine is more than a restaurant beverage program. It is part of the experience throughout the Village—from a thoughtfully paired dinner at The Fearrington House Restaurant to discovering a new bottle at Galloway’s Wine Shop & Bar, attending a tasting or wine dinner, or simply sharing a great glass of wine with our guests and residents.

This position offers the opportunity to be involved in many facets of a dynamic wine program while working alongside an experienced hospitality, culinary, and retail team. For someone who enjoys both fine wine and genuine hospitality, it is a role with tremendous variety and room to grow.

Qualifications

2 year Restaurant experience required

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs

Service Procedures

Wine Cellar Organization

Wine Service

Food and Beverage Pairing Knowledge

Glassware Knowledge

Inventory

Office Suite Software

Cocktail Making

Spirits Knowledge

Team Development and Training

Wine Knowledge