Sara Carli
Forestville,CA
Summary
Motivated and creative sales expert with over 10 years of experience in the hospitality and luxury wine industry. Proven track record of driving increased club member retention by delivering an elevated and engaging tasting experience. Passionate about expanding brand awareness and deepening wine knowledge, demonstrated by obtaining a Level 3 WSET wine expert certification. Recognized for building trusted and loyal relationships with high-profile clients.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Estate Sommelier + Hospitality and Sales Specialist
MERRIAM VINEYARDS
01.2022 - Current
- Guides guests through an engaging education on the winery's history, farming practices and grape varieties; as well as, the climate, geography and history of the Sonoma County wine growing region
- Developed and implemented an elevated tasting flight and experience for customers wanting access to the winery's most exclusive and high-tier wines, resulting in increased sales of these limited production wines, as well as higher numbers of membership club sign-ups
- Consistently achieves top sales and club sign-ups
- Achieves successful member retention through personalized services and follow-up communications
- Demonstrates superior knowledge of wines from around the world through frequent tastings and educational activities for staff
- Assisted in conducting wine education seminars, deepening guests'' appreciation for the winemaking process and product nuances.
- Developed strong relationships with local businesses, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships that drove referral traffic to the tasting room.
Sommelier + Assistant Manager
ZEPHYR WINE BAR + SHOP
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Oversaw overall operations of the bar by managing employees, ensuring proper customer service and creating a fun and safe environment for all patrons
- Improved efficiency and profitability by creating systems for everyday operations, such as dating opened wine bottles, proper storage and organization of bottles, closing checklist, menu changes and inventory updates
- Ensured guests were greeted and provided service in a prompt, friendly and business-like manner in order to promote the company image as a service-oriented operation
- Trained staff in wine education and service, encouraging team to determine the customer's wants or needs and make recommendations accordingly, helping to increase bottle and by-the-glass sales
- Worked with the head chef to create wine and food pairings
- Applied inventory optimization strategies, reducing excess stock levels and improving inventory turnover rates
- Shelved and merchandised new products twice per week in visually appealing and organized displays which improved customer flow and increased sales
- Created Shelf Talker price tags for over 50 wine labels, providing shoppers with the item's Brand name, Varietal, Region, Price and Description
Wine Educator and Hospitality Associate
MERRY EDWARDS WINERY
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Increased brand awareness by representing wineries at industry trade shows and conferences.
Wine Educator and Hospitality Associate
LAMBERT BRIDGE WINERY
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Consistently met or exceeded sales goals by utilizing exceptional product knowledge to recommend suitable wines to customers.
Wine Educator and Hospitality Associate
MACROSTIE WINERY & VINEYARDS
01.2015 - 01.2016
Sales Associate and Key Holder
JAMES PERSE
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Company Overview: Luxury Clothing Retailer
- Continually exceeded sales goals, selling 1.25 million dollars in 2014
- Increased sales by 180% in one year
- Luxury Clothing Retailer
Assistant to Menswear Editor, Michael Philouze
CONDE NAST, VOGUE MAGAZINE
01.2012 - 01.2013
Education
Level Three - Certified Wine Expert
WINE & SPIRIT EDUCATION TRUST (WSET)
San Francisco, CA01.2023
Bachelor of Science - Health Science and Pre-Medicine
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Miami, FL01.2010
Accomplishments
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
Websites
Timeline
Sommelier + Assistant Manager
ZEPHYR WINE BAR + SHOP
01.2023 - 01.2024
Estate Sommelier + Hospitality and Sales Specialist
MERRIAM VINEYARDS
01.2022 - Current
Wine Educator and Hospitality Associate
MERRY EDWARDS WINERY
01.2018 - 01.2022
Wine Educator and Hospitality Associate
LAMBERT BRIDGE WINERY
01.2016 - 01.2018
Wine Educator and Hospitality Associate
MACROSTIE WINERY & VINEYARDS
01.2015 - 01.2016
Sales Associate and Key Holder
JAMES PERSE
01.2013 - 01.2015
Assistant to Menswear Editor, Michael Philouze
CONDE NAST, VOGUE MAGAZINE
01.2012 - 01.2013
Level Three - Certified Wine Expert
WINE & SPIRIT EDUCATION TRUST (WSET)
Bachelor of Science - Health Science and Pre-Medicine
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
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