Head Sommelier

Overview

A Career-Defining Opportunity! Join The Huntington Hotel as the Bar Manager; this role will be instrumental in defining the beverage program for the different F&B outlets at The Huntington Hotel.

The Huntington – San Francisco’s Living Legacy and Urban Estate on Nob Hill

The opening of The Huntington marks the reemergence of a Nob Hill icon, the first luxury hotel debut in San Francisco since 2022 and a defining moment in the city’s renaissance. With renewed investment in culture, dining, and hospitality, San Francisco is actively restoring its place on the global stage. For the elite leader, this is a singular invitation to set the global standard for luxury and shape the future of hospitality in one of the world’s most storied destinations.

At The Huntington, nearly a century of heritage and modern elegance converge in a reimagined urban estate envisioned by a world-class designer. The hotel will stand as San Francisco’s cultural connoisseur, offering gracious accommodations, a signature restaurant, and the city’s most luxurious spa.

To join this landmark opening is to take part in a milestone moment: setting the standard for ultra-luxury hospitality in San Francisco for a new generation. This project is being realized through a partnership between Highgate, a global leader in hospitality management and real estate investment, and Flynn Properties, one of San Francisco’s most respected developers.

• Wine Buying & Financial Stewardship
  • Own the end-to-end wine purchasing strategy for all hotel outlets, banquets, private dining, in-room dining, and retail/amenity programs where applicable.
  • Build and manage wine lists aligned with each outlet’s concept while maintaining a cohesive hotel-wide wine identity.
  • Establish pricing architecture (BTG, BTB, premium tiers, reserve programs) with disciplined margin targets.
  • Manage inventory levels, turns, cellar organization, controls, and depletion strategies.
  • In tandem with Highgate Corporate, negotiate with distributors and producers to secure favorable pricing, allocations, exclusives, and support.
  • Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, month-end inventory, and variance analysis.
  • Ensure compliance with all local and state alcohol regulations.
• Operations & Service Excellence
  • Set wine service standards across all outlets, including glassware, decanting, storage, handling, and tableside presentation.
  • Be an active floor presence during service periods.
  • Support service teams in confident, guest-forward wine recommendations that balance storytelling with approachability.
  • Partner with outlet leadership to ensure wine execution is seamless during all meal periods and service styles.
  • Establish SOPs for receiving, storage, breakage, transfers, and loss prevention.
• Programming & Guest Experience
  • Partner with the F&B Experience Manager to design and execute wine-driven programming, including wine dinners, tastings, producer visits, verticals, and seasonal features.
  • Collaborate with Culinary on menu pairings, tasting menus, chef collaborations, and special events.
  • Develop signature experiences such as reserve lists, cellar selections, or dining club member-only offerings where applicable.
  • Support Sales & Events with curated group wine packages, bespoke selections, and elevated client experiences.
  • Act as a brand ambassador for the hotel’s wine philosophy—internally and externally.
• Training & Team Development
  • Lead structured wine education programs for service staff, captains, managers, and leadership.
  • Develop onboarding, refresher, and advanced training modules tailored by outlet and role.
  • Mentor servers and bartenders, creating a clear growth pathway.
  • Conduct regular tastings, pre-shifts, and knowledge checks to build team knowledge, confidence and consistency.
  • Foster a culture of curiosity, humility, and hospitality—not gatekeeping.
• Leadership & Collaboration
  • Serve as the hotel’s subject-matter expert for wine across all departments.
  • Partner closely with the Director of F&B, Executive Chef, and Outlet’s General Manager.
  • Contribute to marketing initiatives, press opportunities, and guest-facing storytelling when appropriate.
  • Represent the hotel professionally with…