Location: Ancient Peaks Winery — Santa Margarita & Cambria
Job Description
The Tasting Room Lead is a key member of the Ancient Peaks hospitality team and serves as a leader in the tasting rooms. This position provides exceptional guest experiences while helping ensure the tasting rooms operate in a friendly, organized and professional manner.
The Tasting Room Lead will work across both tasting room locations, which includes Santa Margarita and Cambria, with an anticipated schedule of 1–2 days per week in Cambria and 3–4 days per week in Santa Margarita, depending on business needs, events and staffing.
The ideal candidate is a confident hospitality professional who takes initiative, leads by example, enjoys working with guests and is comfortable balancing customer service with day-to-day operational responsibilities. Must be available to work weekends, holidays and occasional extended hours. Schedule will be Wednesday - Sunday.
Key Responsibilities
Hospitality & Customer Experience
- Deliver exceptional, personalized hospitality to guests, wine club members, VIPs, trade and community partners.
- Lead wine tastings, Vineyard Tours, media hosting and other guest experiences.
- Take food orders accurately and efficiently. Serve food items to guests in a timely, professional manner.
- Promote wine sales, wine club sign-ups, events and other DTC opportunities.
- Address guest questions and concerns promptly and professionally.
- Serve as an enthusiastic ambassador for Ancient Peaks at events, tastings and community activities.
Team Leadership & Training
- Lead by example and uphold Ancient Peaks hospitality and service standards.
- Assist with onboarding, training and ongoing coaching of tasting room staff.
- Communicate current policies, procedures, promotions, events and operational updates to the team.
- Identify training needs and opportunities to improve the guest experience.
- Communicate staffing and operational concerns to management.
Tasting Room Operations
- Help oversee day-to-day operations while on duty, including opening and closing procedures.
- Maintain clean, organized, fully stocked and guest-ready tasting rooms.
- Assist with inventory counts, weekly restocking, requisitions and supply needs.
- Help identify operational needs and communicate solutions to management.
- Maintain strong communication between the Santa Margarita and Cambria locations.
AP by the Sea – Cambria
- Help coordinate day-to-day operations of the Cambria tasting room.
- Assist with staffing coordination, training, weekly restocking, tasting menu updates, inventory and operational communication.
- Help build relationships with local businesses, tourism partners, hotels and community organizations.
- Support efforts to increase local awareness, visitation, wine sales and wine club enrollment.
Qualifications
- 3+ years of customer service or hospitality experience; previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
- Valid California Driver's License and clean driving record.
- Availability to work weekends, holidays and occasional evenings or extended hours.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Experience with Commerce7 and Tock preferred.
- Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with a professional phone presence.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
- Positive, team-oriented mindset with a willingness to learn and support overall business goals.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Ability to perform physical tasks associated with moving wine, supplies and event materials.
Compensation
This is a full-time, hourly position and is eligible to participate in the employee tip pool, with tips distributed based on company policy. The work schedule is Wednesday - Sunday.
This position is also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:
- Medical benefits
- Paid company holidays
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 401(k) eligibility
- Employee discounts on wine, food, and merchandise
- Discounts on Margarita Adventures experiences
About Ancient Peaks
Ancient Peaks Winery is a family-owned estate winery in Santa Margarita, CA. Our wines reflect the character of our sustainably farmed Margarita Vineyard, the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles region. At our Tasting Room & Café, we welcome guests with genuine hospitality, artisan wines, and fresh, locally inspired cuisine. Our team is passionate about sharing the story of our land and creating unforgettable experiences that inspire guests to return again and again.
Pay: $20.00 - $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid training
Application Question(s):
- This is a full-time Wednesday–Sunday position, including weekends and holidays. Are you able to commit to this schedule?
- This position will regularly travel between our Santa Margarita and Cambria tasting rooms. Are you comfortable and able to travel between both locations as part of your regular work schedule?
Work Location: In person
