Cheval Blanc Sommelier
About Cheval Blanc
Cheval Blanc is the luxury hospitality maison within the LVMH portfolio, recognised for refined, highly personalised service and exceptional culinary and wine experiences. The brand operates exclusive hotels and restaurants where meticulous attention to detail, rigorous LQA standards and continual staff development define the workplace.
Cheval Blanc seeks a Sommelier in Porto Cervo, Italy — temporary on-site role delivering exceptional wine service and managing cellar operations.
Role & Responsibilities
- Deliver an exemplary wine and beverage service, advising guests with expert, personalised recommendations and ensuring an impeccable front-of-house experience.
- Support revenue growth for beverages through targeted promotions, discreet upselling and cross-selling techniques.
- Manage cellar operations including stock control, ordering, receipt and correct storage (temperature control, rotation) and organisation of bottles.
- Maintain and update the wine list; stay current with weekly changes and all references, and organise personalised tastings for guests.
- Adhere to hygiene and quality standards, follow SOPs and HACCP requirements, and ensure regular maintenance and cleanliness of service and storage areas.
- Coordinate closely with Room Service, Beach Bar and Bar teams to ensure timely, accurate communication and a seamless guest experience.
- Work alongside and assist the 1er Sommelier Junior and report to the 1er Sommelier Senior in daily operations.
- Perform administrative duties: stock checks, replenishment, and completion of closing and paperwork according to departmental standards.
- Anticipate guest needs, respond promptly to requests, manage complaints with discretion and contribute to guest loyalty and satisfaction.
- Participate in scheduled training sessions and departmental meetings, supporting continuous professional development aligned with hotel values.
Qualifications
- Advanced WSET certification (e.g. WSET Level 3) or an equivalent recognised sommelier diploma.
- Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in luxury Food & Beverage; at least 2 years as a Sommelier or experience as a 1er Sommelier Junior in high-end hotel or restaurant environments.
- Extensive knowledge of international, Italian and French wines, spirits and other beverages.
- Proven consultative selling ability with a discreet, service-oriented upselling approach.
- Charismatic, well-presented and guest-focused with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Demonstrated team orientation, ability to work in a dynamic, collaborative environment and to manage responsibilities autonomously.
- Flexible availability to work variable shifts, including evenings and weekends.
- Fluent spoken Italian and English; additional language (e.g. French) advantageous.
Skills
Experience
Minimum 3–5 years of progressive experience in luxury Food & Beverage, including at least 2 years in a dedicated sommelier role or as 1er Sommelier Junior within high-end hotels or restaurants.
Education
WSET Level 3 or equivalent recognised sommelier diploma.
Workplace
The successful candidate will be located in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy, with easy access to Olbia.
Culture
The workplace is service-driven and exacting, prioritising discreet luxury and personalised guest care. Staff operate within tightly coordinated teams where professional development, adherence to LQA standards and continual training are central to everyday practice.
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 «Wine Steward», «Wine Service Specialist», «Beverage & Wine Advisor», «Cellar Manager», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.