BENEFITS & REQUIREMENTS
WORKING AT WILLIAMSON WINES
Employee Benefits & Requirements
Great people deserve great support.
Exceptional wines and memorable hospitality don't happen by accident. They come from talented people who enjoy their work, take pride in their achievements and appreciate being part of a good team.
At Williamson Wines, we believe in providing the tools, training and opportunities that help our people do exceptional work.
We hire based on talent, develop based on skill and promote based on merit.
In return, we ask for professionalism, reliability, good judgment and a genuine commitment to the people we serve.
WHAT WE OFFER
Employee Benefits
A rewarding workplace, competitive compensation and opportunities to grow.
Compensation & Financial Benefits
Good work deserves good compensation. We recognize the contribution our employees make to the success of the winery.
- Competitive compensation appropriate to the position and its responsibilities.
- Biweekly payroll deposited directly into your bank account.
- Annual Investment Payment an extra 3% of your annual salary after meeting the applicable qualification requirements.
- Managed 401(k) retirement plan providing opportunities for tax-advantaged retirement savings and investment.
- Tax-Free Tips and gratuities distributed through the point-of-sale system for eligible tasting-room staff.
- Kaiser medical coverage available to eligible employees after the qualifying period.
Compensation, bonus eligibility, retirement arrangements and medical benefits are administered according to the applicable company plans and employment terms.
Working Environment
Our offices, tasting rooms and culinary facilities are located in Healdsburg, one of Sonoma County's most appealing places to live and work.
- Modern, comfortable and air-conditioned facilities.
- Workplaces situated in established and welcoming Healdsburg locations.
- On-premise employee parking.
- Facilities designed to support accessibility and safe working conditions.
- The opportunity to work with exceptional wines, a talented culinary team and guests who appreciate the pleasures of good food and wine.
Working Conditions & Support
We believe employees do their best work when expectations are clear, schedules are organized and support is readily available.
- Most positions are full-time, generally involving five eight-hour workdays each week.
- Meal periods and paid rest breaks are provided in accordance with California employment requirements. A typical eight-hour shift includes two ten-minute rest breaks and a thirty-minute meal period.
- New employees receive initial training and practical on-the-job mentoring.
- Continuing training covers our wines, culinary pairings, guest experiences, operating systems and job responsibilities.
- Team meetings provide opportunities to contribute ideas, ask questions and participate in improving the business.
- Published operating guidelines explain how we perform our daily responsibilities.
- Regular performance reviews provide feedback, guidance and opportunities for development.
- Employment, advancement and workplace decisions are made using fair, job-related and nondiscriminatory standards.
- Our online Policy & Procedures Manual provides access to company standards and employment information.
Learning Is Part of the Job
Wine, food and hospitality offer a lifetime of things worth learning.
We encourage curiosity, reward initiative and help employees develop the knowledge and confidence to take on greater responsibility.
Your experience gets you started. Your performance determines how far you can go.
OUR SHARED STANDARDS
General Employee Requirements
Professionalism, reliability and a genuine commitment to hospitality.
Williamson Wines is a working winery, a hospitality business and a place where people come to enjoy exceptional food and wine.
Every employee contributes to that experience, whether welcoming guests, preparing food, managing reservations, making wine or supporting the business behind the scenes.
We ask all applicants to understand the essential responsibilities of their position and discuss their ability to perform those duties, with reasonable accommodation where appropriate.
Individual job descriptions define the specific duties, schedules and operational requirements of each position.
1 · EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY & PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Legally Qualified to Work
All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and complete the employment eligibility verification required by law.
Williamson Wines observes fair and nondiscriminatory hiring practices. Candidates are assessed on their ability to perform the responsibilities of the position.
Where a position requires driving as an essential job responsibility, a valid driver's license and appropriate driving qualifications may be required.
Any employment-related background assessment will be conducted in accordance with applicable law and the requirements of the position.
Professional Standards
- Treat colleagues, guests and business partners with courtesy and respect.
- Communicate clearly, accurately and professionally.
- Follow company policies, safety procedures and reasonable work instructions.
- Exercise sound judgment and take responsibility for assigned work.
- Maintain the confidentiality of customer, employee and business information.
- Contribute to a cooperative, productive and welcoming workplace.
2 · ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Williamson employees perform a wide variety of duties. Physical and operational requirements therefore depend on the particular position.
Each employee must be able to perform the essential functions of their job, with reasonable accommodation where required.
General Workplace Capabilities
- Understand and follow instructions relevant to assigned responsibilities.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues and guests using appropriate methods.
- Use the equipment, tools and operating systems required for the position.
- Carry out assigned duties safely and reliably.
- Meet the attendance and scheduling requirements of the position.
Position-Specific Requirements
Depending on the role, essential duties may include:
- Standing, walking and moving throughout guest-service areas.
- Preparing and serving food or beverages.
- Handling glassware, service equipment and other workplace materials.
- Using computers, keyboards, telephones and reservation systems.
- Lifting, carrying and moving inventory, including wine cases, where required by the position.
- Operating culinary, cellar, warehouse or other specialized equipment when appropriately trained.
- Evaluating wine aroma and flavor when sensory assessment is an essential part of the assigned role.
Specific lifting limits, physical activities, working hours and other requirements are established in the individual job description.
Employees and applicants may discuss reasonable accommodations through the appropriate company management process.
3 · PERSONAL PRESENTATION & GROOMING
Hospitality is personal. Our appearance and presentation contribute to the confidence and comfort of our guests.
Employees are expected to maintain a clean, neat and professional appearance appropriate to their position.
- Wear clean, presentable business-casual clothing or the attire required for the assigned role.
- Maintain appropriate personal hygiene and grooming.
- Observe additional food-safety and sanitation requirements when handling or preparing food.
- Follow workplace safety requirements concerning footwear, protective clothing and equipment.
Appearance and grooming standards are applied consistently, with reasonable accommodations where required by law.
A Note About Fragrance
Wine appreciation depends heavily on aroma. Strong fragrances can interfere with a guest's ability to enjoy the wines being served.
Employees working directly with wine and guests should avoid heavily scented perfumes, colognes, hand lotions, hair products and other distracting aromas.
This is a matter of thoughtful hospitality, not personal fashion.
4 · ALCOHOL & WORKPLACE SAFETY
Wine is central to our business, but professional judgment and workplace safety always come first.
Employees must remain fit for duty and must never allow alcohol or other impairing substances to compromise their judgment, performance or safety at work.
- Unauthorized alcohol consumption during working hours is prohibited.
- Employees must not report to work or remain on duty while impaired.
- Wine tasting for authorized professional purposes must follow company procedures and applicable safety requirements.
- Employees must not serve or consume alcohol in a manner that compromises guest safety or professional conduct.
- Wine purchased through employee discount privileges is intended for permitted personal use outside working hours.
Professional wine evaluation is required only where it forms part of an employee's assigned duties.
Employees with questions about workplace fitness, safety or an accommodation should speak confidentially with the appropriate member of management.
5 · SMOKING, VAPING & AROMA STANDARDS
Our tasting rooms, offices, culinary facilities and other designated work areas are smoke-free environments.
Smoking and vaping are prohibited wherever required by California law and within additional areas designated smoke-free by Williamson Wines.
This policy includes cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, cannabis and similar smoking products.
Tasting Room Standards
Employees who work directly with guests and wine are expected to maintain a fragrance-neutral professional presentation.
- Do not smoke or vape during tasting-room work duties.
- Avoid arriving for guest-facing service with noticeable tobacco, smoke, cannabis or vaping odors.
- Avoid strongly scented personal products that may interfere with wine aromas.
- Observe designated smoking restrictions and applicable workplace policies.
These standards protect the sensory experience of our guests and the professional environment of the winery.
6 · TEAMWORK, TRAINING & ACCOUNTABILITY
Williamson hospitality depends on people working well together.
Every employee is expected to contribute to a professional, respectful and productive team.
- Arrive prepared and ready to perform assigned duties.
- Participate in required training and maintain knowledge relevant to the position.
- Follow established operating procedures and safety requirements.
- Communicate problems promptly and help find practical solutions.
- Treat guests and colleagues with patience, courtesy and consideration.
- Accept constructive feedback and use it to improve performance.
- Take pride in the quality and accuracy of your work.
Individual responsibilities may evolve with the needs of the business, consistent with the position, employee capabilities and applicable employment requirements.
We encourage employees to contribute ideas, develop new skills and seek advancement through demonstrated performance.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
A GOOD PLACE TO DO GREAT WORK
Our business brings together people with different backgrounds, talents and experience.
What matters is their ability to work together, learn, take responsibility and deliver the kind of hospitality that brings guests back.
We provide the training, tools and support. Our employees bring the curiosity, commitment and professional pride.
That's how good people build a great business.
JOIN THE WILLIAMSON TEAM
INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH US?
Explore our current opportunities or ask us a question about working at Williamson Wines.
jenny@williamsonwines.com