8 Tips to Land a Job in the Wine Industry

Having worked in the wine industry for the past 11 years, I can confirm: the wine industry is a ton of fun. The opportunity to wine and dine and get paid? Yes, please! You gain access to experiences above your pay grade by virtue of working with a luxury product. If you are interested in breaking into the wine industry, the 8 tips below are for you.

1. Research

Before you can get your foot in the door, you need to know your stuff. And I don’t mean to have a favorite wine. The alcohol industry is heavily regulated. Rules vary drastically from state to state. Learn about the three-tiered distribution system and your state’s alcohol laws. Research the top wine suppliers and their portfolios. Find out which distributors carry their products in your state. Knowing the landscape will set you apart whether you want to work for a publication, restaurant, wine shop, distributor, or supplier. You need to know the big players even if you want to work with a smaller, niche portfolio.

Perhaps most importantly, learn about wine. Real wine experts know they could study wine for the rest of their lives and not know everything there is to know. Start with Windows on the World and WineFolly.com and graduate to The Wine Bible, The Oxford Companion to Wine, and Secrets of the Sommeliers.

2. Get a Wine Certification

Some will argue this isn’t a necessary step in the process. However, for myself, as a young woman in the industry, and for many others, credentials fast-track the process of proving you’re knowledgeable about wine. Additionally, the regimented nature of studying for a test forces you to apply facts to memory. The Wine and Spirits Education Trust is a great organization to start with and is internationally recognized.

Of note: some companies that hire you will offer to pay for additional certifications.

3. Start Where You Can

The wine industry has many facets: retail, restaurant, distribution, auction, supplier, marketing, winery-direct, education, and so on. It’s impossible to figure out the area of wine you want to work in without first getting your feet wet. So even if your dream is to become a winemaker- you need to start somewhere. Apply to wait tables at a wine-centric restaurant or work at a wine shop. The more experience you have, the better your chances of scoring your dream job down the line.

4. Sign Up for a Weekly Group Tasting

You’ll meet people who likely are in the wine industry. Start your own if you can’t find or don’t know of any! Get the word out on social media. Weekly group tastings are a great way to grow your wine knowledge and network simultaneously.

5. Network

You’ll set yourself up for greater success if you get in front of the people who can hire you before you submit your application. Attend portfolio tastings, email HR managers, and ask for informational interviews with wine professionals via LinkedIn or Instagram. Stay on your network’s radar by following up periodically to keep the conversation going. For example, send a contact an interesting article on a region or trend you previously discussed to get their take.

6. Act Professional

The quickest way to tell who is a wine professional from a consumer at a portfolio tasting is who gets drunk. Eat before a tasting. Spit like you’re a part of the industry. Don’t hit on people. When people are pouring at a tasting, they are doing their job. If you think they are flirting- they aren’t. They are only being nice.

Depending on the realm of wine you work in, you might sell wines you dislike. Don’t disparage another supplier’s product. You never know when you’ll end up selling it.

7. Be Organized

On the surface, it may look like your days will be spent swirling wine and evaluating wines, but it still is business. Whether you are managing a sales territory, running a bar program, or stocking shelves- you need to be organized and have good time management skills.

8. Be Courteous

You never know when the sommelier you met will become a hiring manager. Be kind to your servers. Be appreciative to anyone who offers valuable advice or introduces you to someone. Send a thank-you note. It will go a long way. That old adage is true: not everyone will remember everything about you, but they will remember how you made them feel.

Like many other sought-after industries, the hardest part is getting in the door. Once you’re in the wine industry, it is surprisingly small. These tips will put you in the best position to enter or level up in the wine industry.

Best of luck with your pursuit!