Need advice on landing my first job in the Wine Industry?!
Need advice on landing my first job in the Wine Industry?
I'm looking for some direction on how I should be approaching a career change into the wine business. I need to earn a respectable living and do something stimulating. So, working in a tasting room at a winery seems to be out due to not enough income and dealing with the same 5-10 wines EVERY day. I'd ideally like to work for a distributor/importer or become a sommelier/assistant sommelier, but from my research, both of these positions require a few years of experience at a minimum. Does anyone know if I have any PRAYER of landing one of these types of jobs right off the bat with no experience? And if so, what do I have to do to land one? Any and all advice is welcomed!
Answers:
To become an actual sommelier you have to do quite a bit of schooling and even then many starting out make less money than servers. Depending on where you live, your best bet is to work for one of the big distrubutors (almost all of whom are evil and are destroying the industry) but again starting out will not be terribly glamorous. You will probably end up doing mostly the grocery stores, where you will essentially be a glorified delivery person (must be able to lift at least 40 lbs for most of these jobs). Just like anything else you have to work your way up.
Its call being a waiter
best thing to do is just like get a book on wines and why they are reds whites etc etc then when you go in for a job opprtunity you will look as sound as though you have been doing it for years and you would have a better chance. Employers are more interested in people with experience becasue they want their money that their paying you to be well spent and if you can show them that it is worth it then you will be more likely to be hired. Dont be excited that if you do this you will get the job you want right away but they will notice you and you will move up the ranks faster and develop a better relationship with them.
Drink your share and sell the rest
How would you convince me to travel to my nearest winery 30 miles away?
How would get the young adults to want to gather for social contact.
check out your university cities
Gathering places have food.
If you have no experience your best bet would be to work on the distributor end until you have increased your wine knowledge.
Most distributors have great wine classes.
Don't forget about large wine shops and liquor stores.
You could express your desire to learn more and grow with their company.
Remember most wine shops and work on commission.
The main reason I push you this way, is to be a Sommelier you need experience serving and that could be a long time before you start making good money.