Head Sommelier

OUR PURPOSE AND CULTURE

At Rosewood Hotel Group, we are driven to create a future where people and place enrich one another. We are wholly committed to rooting ourselves more deeply in every destination while setting new benchmarks for positive impact.

As a pioneering collective with a shared purpose, we curate extraordinary moments and honour the soul of every place along our journey. At Rosewood, we answer The Calling. Together, we Make the Place.

Rosewood Blue Palace will open in Crete, Greece, in April 2027, and we are now seeking talented individuals to help bring the re-imagining of this stunning property to life.

The Head Sommelier will be based on-site at the hotel in Elounda, Crete.

THE ROLE

The Head Sommelier will lead the wine programme across all outlets at Rosewood Blue Palace, delivering exceptional wine experiences through warm, genuine and knowledgeable service. This role will oversee the hotel's wine lists, cellar management and wine service standards, while leading, mentoring and developing the sommelier team and supporting the wider Food & Beverage operation. Greek and, in particular, Cretan wines will sit at the heart of the wine offering, reflecting Rosewood's Sense of Place philosophy. The Head Sommelier will ensure that each outlet's wine list complements its culinary identity, offering a balanced and diverse selection across a range of price points.

HOW YOU'LL MAKE THE PLACE

Wine Programme & Guest Experience:

• Lead and develop the hotel's wine programme across all Food & Beverage outlets, ensuring a distinctive and engaging wine experience for our guests.
• Champion Greek and Cretan wines, demonstrating expert knowledge of indigenous grape varieties, regional wine styles and PDO wines.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local and national wine producers, sharing the stories and heritage of the island's wines with guests and associates.
• Curate and regularly update wine lists in collaboration with the Director of Beverage and Outlet Managers, ensuring they complement each outlet's menu and concept.
• Work closely with the Culinary team to develop food and wine pairings for menus, tasting experiences and special events.
• Lead wine service on the floor, supporting the F&B team during service and ensuring compliance with Rosewood, Forbes and LQA standards.
• Build strong guest relationships through personalised recommendations, recognition of preferences and knowledgeable, engaging interactions.
• Lead wine-related experiences and initiatives, including wine dinners, producer events, tastings and promotions.

Operational Excellence:

• Oversee the hotel's wine cellar and storage areas, ensuring proper organisation, cleanliness, stock rotation and temperature control.
• Manage wine stock levels, ordering, deliveries, stock movements and monthly inventories across all outlets.
• Ensure wine lists are accurate, regularly updated and aligned with the prices reflected in the POS system.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors, ensuring the wine offering remains relevant, innovative and of the highest quality.
• Monitor wine availability, vintage changes and product updates, communicating relevant information promptly to the F&B team.
• Ensure the highest standards of wine presentation and service, including correct serving temperatures and the quality of every bottle served.

Financial Performance & Team Leadership

• Monitor wine costs and sales performance across all outlets, ensuring alignment with budgeted targets and taking appropriate action where necessary.
• Manage wine menu engineering, monitoring sales mix, pricing and profitability in collaboration with the Director of Beverage and F&B management team.
• Ensure wine pricing follows the guidelines established by the F&B Controller and the relevant corporate systems and procedures.
• Lead, mentor and develop the sommelier team, identifying training needs and supporting professional growth and certification.
• Design and deliver wine training programmes for F&B associates and management, covering wine knowledge, service standards and upselling techniques.

COULD THIS BE YOU?

• Proven experience leading a sommelier team within a luxury hotel or fine-dining restaurant.
• Recognised wine qualification, such as WSET or Court of Master Sommeliers.
• In-depth knowledge of Greek and Cretan wines, including indigenous grape varieties and PDO wines.
• Strong experience in wine list development, cellar management, stock control and wine cost management.
• Well-developed leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, mentor and develop a team.
• Strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking, with the ability to identify opportunities and drive wine sales performance.
• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills.
• A genuine passion for wine, gastronomy and creating memorable guest experiences.
• A proactive and guest-centric approach, with strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Previous pre-opening experience will be considered an advantage.

BENEFITS & CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• The opportunity to join an internationally recognised luxury hospitality group and become part of the Rosewood family.
• Competitive remuneration package.
• Complimentary meals during working hours in our team restaurant.
• Transportation to and from the hotel.
• Monthly Benefits Card.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• A supportive, inclusive and collaborative working environment.
• Accommodation support may be available for associates relocating to Crete, subject to company policy.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

At Rosewood Hotel Group, your voice is heard and valued. We're a community that encourages associates to be themselves, not fit into a fixed culture, and this philosophy shines through in our commitments to reflect and honour the history, culture and geography of our destinations. We're not only committed to building and nurturing genuine, long-lasting relationships but to transforming them. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategy helps put these principles into practice.