Cheval Blanc Head Sommelier
- Location
- Paris Île-de-France France
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Lead
- Department
- Food & Beverage Service
- Posted
- Sep 29, 2026
About Cheval Blanc
Cheval Blanc, the exceptional hospitality Maison created by LVMH, embodies a contemporary art of welcoming guests in some of the world’s most coveted destinations. From Courchevel to the Maldives, Saint-Tropez, Paris and beyond, the brand combines architectural distinction, haute gastronomy, refined service and deeply personal experiences. As an employer, Cheval Blanc offers an environment where excellence is nurtured through craftsmanship, attention to detail and genuine warmth. Its teams are invited to grow within a culture that values discretion, creativity, emotional intelligence and the pursuit of perfection, contributing to a singular vision of luxury hospitality shaped by elegance, generosity and savoir-faire.
Cheval Blanc Paris, an ultra-luxury palace hotel in the heart of Paris, seeks an experienced Head Sommelier to oversee wine operations across its acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurants, including the three-star Plénitude, two-star Hakuba, one-star Tout-Paris, and Langosteria. The successful candidate will manage wine inventory, advise clientele, ensure optimal storage conditions across cellars, drive wine revenue performance, and lead the sommellerie team through recruitment, training, and knowledge transmission of the Maison's exceptional standards.
Role & Responsibilities
- Oversee complete supervision and service management of the sommellerie point of sale across all restaurant properties
- Provide expert wine consultation and guidance to international guests and restaurant clientele
- Manage wine inventory, conduct regular stocktakes, and maintain optimal cellar storage conditions in adherence to precise conservation standards
- Drive wine revenue optimization by negotiating with suppliers, monitoring economic performance metrics, and controlling cost ratios
- Recruit, train, and develop the sommellerie team while transmitting the Maison's viticultural expertise and hospitality culture
- Maintain impeccable organization, elegance, and operational reliability of all cellars and inventory management systems throughout the year
- Ensure strict application of hygiene protocols, cleanliness standards, and food safety regulations across all wine service areas
Qualifications
- Specialized sommellerie or oenology certification (Mention Complémentaire Sommellerie, BP Sommelier, or equivalent qualification)
- Minimum 4 years of significant experience in a similar Head Sommelier, First Sommelier, or Chef Sommelier role
- Demonstrated experience in luxury hospitality, international palace hotels, or Michelin-starred gastronomic establishments
- Flawless mastery of French and international viticultural knowledge, service techniques, and cellar management software
- Advanced professional English proficiency (written and oral) and mastery of at least one additional foreign language
- Natural elegance and representativeness embodying the Maison's art of living and prestige
- Exceptional rigor, organizational acumen, and precision in inventory management and cellar operations
- Proven reactivity, diplomacy, and flexibility to serve international clientele and manage night service schedules
- Absolute discretion, uncompromising integrity, and genuine passion for wine and the art of hospitality
Skills
Experience
Minimum 4 years in a comparable Head Sommelier or senior sommellerie management position, ideally cultivated within luxury hospitality, international palace hotels, or acclaimed gastronomic restaurants.
Education
Specialized sommellerie or oenology certification, such as Mention Complémentaire Sommellerie or BP Sommelier, or equivalent professional qualification.
Workplace
This position is based in Paris, Île-de-France, France.
Benefits
13th-month bonus after one year of tenure; LVMH private sale access after six months of tenure; provided and laundered professional attire; employee restaurant meal plan coverage; 95% reimbursement of public transport passes (Navigo, Vélib, Transilien); corporate Uber account for night shifts (conditions apply); 100% bicycle parking subscription coverage (conditions apply).
Culture
Cheval Blanc fosters a refined, intimate workplace culture where exceptional service is shaped by creativity, discretion, and a deeply personalized sense of hospitality. As an employer, it encourages teams to cultivate craftsmanship, emotional intelligence, and attention to detail within an environment that values elegance, collaboration, and continuous excellence.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Cheval Blanc, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Chief Sommelier», «Sommelier Manager», «Wine Director», «Director of Sommellerie», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.