HEADLINE: THE SALTY PALACE NEEDS A KEEPER OF THE LIQUID GOLD
Location: Palazzo Salato, Sydney CBD
Role: Head Sommelier
About Us:
Forget everything you know about stuffy, silent cellars. We are a love letter to the Roman Trattoria crashed into the gritty energy of inner-city Sydney. Think dramatic pasta pours, tableside theatre, and a wine list that doesn’t just complement the food; it argues with it, flirts with it, and steals the spotlight.
We are looking for a Head Sommelier who isn't afraid of a little salt.
The Energy we need:
You are equal parts scholar, showrunner, and sales savage. You know that a $3000 Barolo deserves reverence, but a funky, volcanic, skin-contact Friulano served in a tumbler deserves a monologue.
The Soul: You bleed wine. You dream in Nebbiolo, wake up to Etna Rosso, and have a secret crush on the forgotten indigenous grapes of Campania, but you also know the best French and Australian alternatives for when the mood strikes.
The Theater: We want you on the floor. Pouring tableside. Decanting with drama. Swapping stories about the volcanic soil of Sicily. You aren't just serving wine; you are selling a vacation.
The Chops: You can run a service with 200 covers sweating. You know how to train waiters to upsell by the glass without being sleazy. You know how to handle a guest who insists "I only drink Pinot Grigio" and turn them onto a bottle of Chablis.
The Numbers: You love COGS. You love margin. You love stacking the shelves with high-volume movers while curating a baller list for the high rollers. You will own the purchasing, the inventory, and the glassware budget.
The Nitty Gritty:
- Lead a team of 2 sommeliers.
- Curate an 800+ bin list (60% Italy, 40% Australia/French/World).
- Manage the Coravin program for by-the-glass (BTG) innovation.
- Regular staff training (Make us smarter).
- Reporting directly to the General Manager.
The Reward:
- Salary: We are open to negotiate (We pay for excellence).
- Tips: Generous pool
- Staff meals are designed to provide comfort and quality.
- Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day (Go see your family).
- Generous wine discounts
- A genuine pathway to develop into senior leadership.
You are not for us if:
- You wear a tastevin like a medieval relic.
- You hate the smell of garlic.
- You’d rather sit behind a screen than lead from the floor.
- You can’t lift a Magnum of Franciacorta.
You are perfect if:
- You have your WSET 3, Diploma or CMS Certified. (Preferred but not required)
- Are not afraid of stairs
- You have 3+ years in a hatted or high-volume premium venue.
- You have an RSA and the right to work in Australia.
- You know that "Palazzo Salato" isn't just a name, it's a vibe.
To Apply:
Don’t just send a PDF. Send a Wine Philosophy (One paragraph, 100 words or less) along with your CV. Tell us what you would pour for a table of 10 loud guests fighting over the last anchovy.
Palazzo Salato is a venue of loud music, louder flavors, and absolute respect for the craft. We want diversity, we want pizzazz, and we want hungry.
