Tasting Room Shift Lead

Job Description:

About Us
McConnell Estates Winery is a family-owned, estate-grown winery located in the Cosumnes River AVA near Elk Grove, CA. With 99% of our sales direct-to-consumer, our tasting room is the heart of our business. We operate in a high-volume environment and host a dynamic calendar of events, all centered around exceptional hospitality, strong wine club growth, and memorable guest experiences.
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Position Overview
We are seeking a Tasting Room Shift Lead who can confidently operate in a fast-paced, high-volume tasting room while maintaining a strong focus on wine education, storytelling, and elevated guest experience.

This role works closely alongside the Tasting Room Manager and plays a key leadership role in daily operations. The Shift Lead will be expected to lead the tasting room independently in the Tasting Room Manager’s absence, ensuring seamless service, strong team performance, and an exceptional guest experience at all times.

The ideal candidate is both operationally strong and wine-focused, with the ability to move efficiently during busy service and events while still delivering thoughtful, engaging wine experiences.
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Duties & Responsibilities
Include, but are not limited to:
• Provide a welcoming, high-energy, and polished tasting experience for guests and wine club members
• Confidently manage high-volume service periods and events while maintaining hospitality standards
• Engage guests through wine education that enhances the tasting experience and drives sales
• Promote and sell our wine portfolio with a strong focus on wine club acquisition and retention
• Lead group tastings and elevated guest experiences with confidence and professionalism
• Act as a floor lead, ensuring smooth operations, team efficiency, and guest satisfaction during peak times
• Lead all tasting room operations in the absence of the Tasting Room Manager
• Perform opening and closing procedures, including setup and breakdown of tasting areas
• Maintain tasting room cleanliness, presentation, and overall guest-facing environment
• Assist with winery events as needed
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Qualifications & Experience
• Minimum 1–2 years of tasting room or wine hospitality experience required
• Strong working knowledge of wine and confidence in discussing wine with guests
• Proven ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
• Ability to balance efficiency with attention to detail and guest connection
• Strong sales skills with an understanding of direct-to-consumer wine sales
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Natural leadership presence
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and reliable
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs
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Schedule Requirements
• Availability on Saturdays and Sundays is required
• Bi-weekly Thursday availability is preferred
• Once monthly Friday availability is preferred
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What We’re Looking For
• Someone who thrives in a fast-paced, guest-driven environment
• A team leader who can stay composed and solutions-oriented during busy service
• A strong communicator who enjoys connecting with guests through wine
• A detail-oriented individual who takes pride in both execution and presentation

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