Sommelier

Island Lake Lodge is seeking a knowledgeable and passionate Sommelier to elevate our wine program and deliver exceptional wine experiences for our guests.

Set in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Island Lake Lodge offers an intimate luxury hospitality experience, combining world-class catskiing, exceptional dining, and a carefully curated wine collection.

We are seeking a genuine wine specialist who can bring our collection to life through storytelling, education, thoughtful pairings, and personal guest interactions. This is a wine-focused position first and a service position second. The successful candidate will possess deep wine knowledge, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to make wine approachable, engaging, and memorable for our guests.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead engaging wine discussions for each incoming guest tour.

• Introduce guests to our wine collection, highlighting unique producers, regions, and bottles.

• Provide informed wine recommendations and personalized pairings throughout the guest experience.

• Collaborate with the culinary team to develop thoughtful food and wine pairings.

• Create opportunities for wine education, tastings, and memorable guest experiences.

Wine Program Development

• Take an active role in developing and elevating Island Lake Lodge's wine collection.

• Curate and continually refine the wine list, balancing exceptional bottles with approachable selections.

• Develop and manage an effective, profitable wines-by-the-glass program.

• Identify new wines, producers, and purchasing opportunities.

• Maintain relationships with suppliers and distributors.

• Oversee purchasing, inventory management, cellar organization, and wine pricing.

• Monitor wine costs, margins, and sales performance.

Revenue & Sales Growth

• Actively contribute to growing wine revenue through knowledgeable and engaging recommendations.

• Identify opportunities to increase guest participation in wine experiences and premium selections.

• Develop pairing recommendations that complement the culinary program and encourage wine exploration.

• Track sales performance and recommend improvements to the program.

Team Education & Collaboration

• Provide ongoing wine education and product knowledge training for the Front of House team.

• Work closely with the Executive Chef and FOH Manager to ensure alignment between the wine, food, and service programs.

• Support restaurant service as required, particularly in a wine-focused capacity.

• Foster a culture of confidence, enthusiasm, and knowledge surrounding wine.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in a dedicated sommelier, wine director, or comparable wine-focused position, preferably within luxury hospitality, fine dining, or a premium restaurant environment.

• Advanced wine knowledge, supported by formal education such as WSET Level 3 or higher, Court of Master Sommeliers certification, or equivalent demonstrated professional expertise.

• Proven experience developing, curating, and managing a comprehensive wine program, including wine list development, purchasing, pricing, and inventory management.

• Extensive knowledge of international wine regions, grape varieties, producers, vintages, and styles, with particular familiarity with premium Old World and New World wines.

• Demonstrated ability to develop thoughtful food and wine pairings in collaboration with an accomplished culinary team.

• Experience leading wine tastings, educational presentations, and engaging conversations with guests of varying levels of wine knowledge.

• A demonstrated ability to grow wine sales through program development, guest engagement, and strategic recommendations.

• Strong relationships with wine suppliers, distributors, or producers are considered an asset.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage knowledgeable wine enthusiasts and make wine accessible to less experienced guests.

• Previous fine-dining service experience is an asset; however, wine expertise, program development, and guest education are the primary qualifications for this position.

The Ideal Candidate

Above all, we are looking for someone who genuinely loves wine and enjoys sharing that passion with others. The right candidate will be equally comfortable discussing an exceptional Bordeaux with an experienced collector or introducing an unfamiliar varietal to a curious guest.

Our goal is not simply to offer an impressive wine list, but to create a wine experience worthy of the setting, cuisine, and hospitality that define Island Lake Lodge.

Why work at Island Lake?

• A friendly and positive team environment

• Competitive compensation

• Staff discounts on food, drinks, and merchandise

• Complimentary staff meals

• Product deals and discounts from our amazing partners

• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Program

• Health spending account for seasonal employees

• Opportunity to go Catskiing