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Sommelier and Sake Specialist
Zuzu Nashville
Sommelier and Sake Specialist
Zuzu Nashville
Full Time
2
Years
Experience
Competitive salary
Sommelier and Sake Specialist
Zuzu Nashville
Full Time
2
Years
Experience
Competitive salary
Skills
Basic Knowledge of Wines
Basic Beers/Spirits Knowledge
Description
Company Summary
ELIA Group is a multi-faceted, fully integrated real estate and hospitality company that acquires, develops, and manages commercial properties in landmark locations throughout the United States. In Real Estate & Development and Hospitality, we don’t sit back and let things happen, we make things happen! Whether we’re crafting deals or cocktails, our unparalleled attention to detail leads to award-winning real estate development and hospitality projects.
Position Summary:
ZuZu is seeking an experienced and passionate Sommelier & Sake Specialist to oversee and elevate both our wine and sake programs. This dual-role position is ideal for a well-rounded beverage professional who is equally enthusiastic about Old and New World wines as they are about the art and tradition of Japanese sake. The ideal candidate brings deep product knowledge, exceptional service skills, and a love of storytelling through beverage pairings.
What We Expect of You
At ELIA, we use our unique experience and contributions to deliver more than value – we set new standards! We seek someone that is looking for more than a job – we want to work with someone who is as passionate as us about what we do and how we go about doing it.
Key Responsibilities:
- Curate and manage the restaurant’s wine and sake lists in alignment with the culinary vision.
- Provide thoughtful, engaging tableside recommendations and beverage pairings to guests.
- Lead daily staff education and ongoing training programs focused on wine, sake, and service excellence.
- Organize and host wine and sake tastings, dinners, and other beverage-forward events.
- Maintain proper storage, organization, and inventory control of all wine and sake selections.
- Build and manage relationships with wine and sake distributors, negotiating to maximize quality and value.
- Collaborate closely with the chef and Beverage Director on seasonal pairings and menu development.
- Monitor industry trends and guest preferences to keep offerings fresh and dynamic.
Qualifications:
- 2+ years of sommelier or beverage leadership experience in an upscale or fine dining environment.
- Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers (Level 1 or higher) and/or WSET; sake certification preferred (e.g., Sake Adviser, SSA, or WSET Level 3 in Sake).
- Expert-level knowledge of global wines and Japanese sake—including varietals, regions, production methods, and pairing principles.
- Proven track record of training staff, leading service, and elevating guest experiences through beverage.
- Warm, polished, and professional presence with strong communication skills.
- Must be able to lift and move beverage cases and work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Pay:
Base Hourly Competitive
Commissions:
- Commissions
- Tipped out
Competitive Pay and Great Benefits
· Dental insurance
· Health insurance
· Vision insurance
· PTO
· Employee Discount
Physical Requirements:
- ability to stand for extended periods during service hours
- Frequent walking, often at a fast pace, to cover tables and retrieve wine
- Lifting and carrying wine bottles and cases (up to 30–50 lbs)
- Frequent use of a corkscrew or wine key, requiring wrist and hand strength
- Comfortable handling trays with wine and glassware
Company Summary
ELIA Group is a multi-faceted, fully integrated real estate and hospitality company that acquires, develops, and manages commercial properties in landmark locations throughout the United States. In Real Estate & Development and Hospitality, we don’t sit back and let things happen, we make things happen! Whether we’re crafting deals or cocktails, our unparalleled attention to detail leads to award-winning real estate development and hospitality projects.
Position Summary:
ZuZu is seeking an experienced and passionate Sommelier & Sake Specialist to oversee and elevate both our wine and sake programs. This dual-role position is ideal for a well-rounded beverage professional who is equally enthusiastic about Old and New World wines as they are about the art and tradition of Japanese sake. The ideal candidate brings deep product knowledge, exceptional service skills, and a love of storytelling through beverage pairings.
What We Expect of You
At ELIA, we use our unique experience and contributions to deliver more than value – we set new standards! We seek someone that is looking for more than a job – we want to work with someone who is as passionate as us about what we do and how we go about doing it.
Key Responsibilities:
- Curate and manage the restaurant’s wine and sake lists in alignment with the culinary vision.
- Provide thoughtful, engaging tableside recommendations and beverage pairings to guests.
- Lead daily staff education and ongoing training programs focused on wine, sake, and service excellence.
- Organize and host wine and sake tastings, dinners, and other beverage-forward events.
- Maintain proper storage, organization, and inventory control of all wine and sake selections.
- Build and manage relationships with wine and sake distributors, negotiating to maximize quality and value.
- Collaborate closely with the chef and Beverage Director on seasonal pairings and menu development.
- Monitor industry trends and guest preferences to keep offerings fresh and dynamic.
Qualifications:
- 2+ years of sommelier or beverage leadership experience in an upscale or fine dining environment.
- Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers (Level 1 or higher) and/or WSET; sake certification preferred (e.g., Sake Adviser, SSA, or WSET Level 3 in Sake).
- Expert-level knowledge of global wines and Japanese sake—including varietals, regions, production methods, and pairing principles.
- Proven track record of training staff, leading service, and elevating guest experiences through beverage.
- Warm, polished, and professional presence with strong communication skills.
- Must be able to lift and move beverage cases and work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Pay:
Base Hourly Competitive
Commissions:
- Commissions
- Tipped out
Competitive Pay and Great Benefits
· Dental insurance
· Health insurance
· Vision insurance
· PTO
· Employee Discount
Physical Requirements:
- ability to stand for extended periods during service hours
- Frequent walking, often at a fast pace, to cover tables and retrieve wine
- Lifting and carrying wine bottles and cases (up to 30–50 lbs)
- Frequent use of a corkscrew or wine key, requiring wrist and hand strength
- Comfortable handling trays with wine and glassware
Sommelier and Sake Specialist
Full Time
2
Years
Experience
Competitive salary
Skills
Basic Knowledge of Wines
Basic Beers/Spirits Knowledge
215 1st Ave S, Nashville, Tennessee 37201, United States