Sommelier

Vespertine is seeking a thoughtful, knowledgeable, and hospitality-driven Sommelier to join our team.

Vespertine is a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Culver City by Chef Jordan Kahn. The experience exists at the intersection of gastronomy, architecture, nature, art, and hospitality, creating an immersive and transportive journey for each guest.

We are looking for a Sommelier who brings a deep curiosity for wine, an intuitive approach to hospitality, and the ability to communicate knowledge with warmth and ease. The ideal candidate is attentive, composed, collaborative, and genuinely excited to guide guests through wines in a way that feels personal rather than performative.

Responsibilities

• Guide guests through Vespertine’s wine and beverage offerings with warmth, confidence, and thoughtful storytelling.

• Present and execute wine pairings throughout the dining experience with precision and fluidity.

• Assist guests with bottle selections based on their preferences, interests, and the progression of the menu.

• Maintain a strong working knowledge of the wine list, producers, regions, vintages, and beverage program.

• Ensure proper wine service, including presentation, opening, decanting, temperature, and glassware.

• Work closely with the culinary and service teams to understand menu changes, ingredients, preparations, and pairing intentions.

• Participate in pre-service education, tastings, and continued development of the team’s beverage knowledge.

• Assist with cellar organization, inventory, receiving, stocking, and maintaining proper storage conditions.

• Support the service team throughout the evening beyond traditional wine responsibilities when needed.

• Help uphold Vespertine’s standards of detail, care, discretion, and hospitality at every point of the guest experience.

Qualifications

• Previous sommelier or wine-service experience in a fine-dining environment.

• Strong foundational knowledge of wine, including classic regions, producers, grape varieties, and service standards.

• Wine certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers, WSET, or equivalent education is strongly encouraged but not required.

• Genuine curiosity and a desire to continually learn.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to make complex information engaging and accessible.

• Calm, gracious, and attentive presence in a highly detailed service environment.

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a close-knit team.

• Excellent organization and attention to detail.

• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.