Tasting Room Manager - Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Location: Geyserville, CA

About the Role

Join the Delicato leadership family as the Tasting Room Manager at the iconic Francis Ford Coppola Winery, located in Geyserville. This role leads the tasting room experience and retail team to deliver unique, personalized, and memorable guest experiences that foster lasting customer connections to the brand. The focus is on increasing conversion to purchase and wine club membership through innovative programming, strategic sales initiatives, promotional activities, wine education, and personalized hospitality. The Tasting Room Manager provides daily leadership for tasting room operations, retail sales, and trade visitation, ensuring the team operates cohesively under established service standards and policies to maintain operational excellence.

Winery days open to the public: Thursday through Monday, with at least one weekend day included.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Culture

• Manages and monitors day-to-day operations and team performance to ensure smooth workflows and that company standards are met.
• Manages company culture and holds self, peers, and direct reports accountable for demonstrating a constructive company culture through influential, personal behavior and actions; encourages strong work ethic and fosters an environment of trust and respect.
• Develops and aligns individual goals with the department's operational goals; ensures that decisions, actions, and priorities are aligned with the company's vision, mission, and strategies.
• Researches best practices, stays abreast of industry trends, and maintains awareness of regulatory changes to ensure compliance and continually improve operations.
• Assists in preparing the departmental budget, monitors spending, and directs team in cost-effective operations to ensure adherence to financial objectives.
• Monitors performance and regularly communicates with direct reports to achieve mutual understanding and desired results.
• Partners with immediate manager to determine staffing needs; attracts, motivates, and retains a workforce with the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities to achieve goals and objectives.
• Provides employees with a safe, healthy, and rewarding work environment; ensures delivery and completion of monthly safety topics.
• Communicates and supports change initiatives and decisions in an effective manner to successfully guide team through change.
• Fosters a work environment that encourages creative thinking, promotes flexibility, and drives innovation.
• Addresses employee issues, concerns, and complaints in an objective and confidential manner; notifies HR Business Partner and keeps immediate manager informed as appropriate.
• Ensures compliance and consistent application of company policies, initiatives, and decisions.
• Coaches, guides, and develops direct reports; fully engages in the GPS (Performance Management) process; provides high-quality feedback, and ensures proper GPS documentation of employee performance, recognition, and deficiencies.

Essential Duties

• Develops the annual tasting room sales plan and implements sales programs to achieve growth and conversion goals, leveraging data analytics and monthly P&L insights to drive continuous improvement.
• Manages tasting room experiences with hands-on leadership, establishing and maintaining exceptional guest service and wine tasting standards.
• Oversees daily sales reconciliation and bank deposits, ensuring accurate register reconciliation across departments and timely reporting to Accounting.
• Drives Tasting Room & Retail Sales performance by setting clear sales and conversion goals, providing regular feedback, and delivering staff training to support growth objectives.
• Leads, trains, and motivates the tasting room team to deliver outstanding customer service, addressing guest feedback and complaints with a focus on satisfaction and loyalty.
• Collaborates with Public Relations, Brand, Sales, and Winemaking teams to align experiences with internal brand strategies, showcasing wines effectively and educating trade guests.
• Partners with Public Relations, Sales, and Marketing to promote the Delicato Family Wines brand and uphold a positive brand presence in the community.
• Designs and facilitates high-touch experiences, including guest stays, wine tastings, tours, and educational events for VIP, international, and trade guests.
• Works closely with Facilities Management to ensure the property consistently reflects the highest standards of cleanliness and presentation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 5+ years combined work experience in tasting room, winemaking, or hospitality field.
• 3+ years management experience at a winery or related field.
• Must be 21 years of age in order to pour, serve, and taste wine.

Qualifications

• Responsible Beverage Service Certificate required.
• Professional wine certification a plus (Sommelier, CSW, WSET).

Skills

• High level organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Possesses a broad knowledge of wine and varietals.
• Self-motivated, able to act independently to solve problems.
• Meets changing priorities in the workplace with flexibility and enthusiasm.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Proficient in retail software and Microsoft Office suite, including Word & Excel.
• Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Working Conditions

• General winery environment.
• Required to drive automotive vehicle or equipment.
• Occasionally may be required to lift and carry cases of wine.
• May need to determine color, taste, and smell of wine using eyes, tongue, and nose.

Work Standards

• Acts in a manner reflective of the Company culture of High Moral Standards, Innovation and Continuous Evolution, Trust in Team, Continuous Improvement, and Sustainable Relationships.
• Communicates, interacts, and works effectively with others; receptive to feedback and coaching; voices concerns in a constructive manner.
• Demonstrates commitment to safety first; communicates safety concerns; promotes a safe work environment based on established safety standards and training.
• Follows all Company policies and procedures.

Pay

The pay range for this exempt position is $76,353.84 to $119,397.60. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role. Actual placement within range will be contingent upon a number of factors, including but not limited to the candidate's qualifications, education, experience, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), where Delicato covers nearly the entire cost for employees and a large percentage for dependents.
• Life, disability, and flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) with generous company match.
• Discretionary profit sharing.
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Wine & merchandise discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Gym discounts.