Job Description
Wine Bar Manager - Santa Barbara, CA
Are you a hospitality professional with a passion for wine and exceptional guest experiences? We're looking for a Wine Bar Manager to lead operations at a welcoming and intimate wine bar and tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a service-focused environment, blending warm hospitality with operational excellence.
About Us
Our wine bar and tasting room showcase two distinct yet complementary wine brands—one specializing in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and the other dedicated to Loire Valley varieties grown on California's Central Coast. Inspired by European wine culture, we offer a thoughtfully curated experience for both locals and visitors, pairing outstanding wines with a welcoming atmosphere.
The Role
As Wine Bar Manager, you will oversee daily operations, ensuring outstanding service, driving sales, managing a small team, and supporting private events. Your leadership will help cultivate a hospitality culture that blends wine education, warmth, and seamless execution, making every guest feel like they've discovered something special.
Key Responsibilities
Guest Experience & Service Excellence: Lead front-of-house operations, creating a welcoming and engaging atmosphere. Train staff to deliver an outstanding guest experience, with a focus on education, hospitality, and storytelling.
Operations & Inventory Management: Oversee wine bar service, manage reservations, maintain inventory, and ensure seamless POS and cash handling procedures.
Sales & Wine Club Engagement: Drive wine sales, encourage wine club sign-ups, and build strong relationships with guests to foster repeat business.
Private Events & Hospitality Programming: Assist with event inquiries, coordinate logistics, and execute private tastings, wine dinners, and special events.
Staff Leadership & Training: Hire, train, and mentor a small team of wine and service professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and enthusiasm.
Marketing & Community Engagement: Support social media efforts, email marketing, and local outreach to drive awareness and engagement.
Compliance & Best Practices: Ensure adherence to ABC regulations, food safety, labor laws, and all daily operational standards.
Who We're Looking For
A seasoned hospitality professional with experience in wine bars, tasting rooms, or upscale restaurants.
Passionate about wine, food, and genuine hospitality, with strong knowledge of Santa Barbara wines or the broader wine world.
A strong leader and team builder who fosters an inspiring and accountable work environment.
Adaptable and hands-on, willing to step in wherever needed to ensure an exceptional guest experience.
Preferred Experience & Skills
2+ years of experience in a hospitality lead or management role (wine bar, tasting room, restaurant, or similar).
Strong wine knowledge (WSET or CMS certifications are a plus but not required).
Experience with POS, reservations, and CRM systems (Tock, Square, Commerce7, etc.).
Proven ability to drive sales, wine club memberships, and customer engagement.
Availability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and events.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $70,000 - $80,000 per year
Performance-based incentives
Wine club membership incentives
Employer-sponsored health insurance
401(k) retirement plan
Paid time off
Join Us!
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of one of Santa Barbara's most dynamic wine destinations. If you're a hospitality leader with a love for wine and a passion for creating exceptional experiences, we'd love to hear from you!
To apply, please send your resume and a brief cover letter detailing your experience and why you'd be a great fit for this role.
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $ 70,000.00 80,000.00 Per Year
Job Tags
Full time, Local area, Flexible hours, Afternoon shift,