Billie Ramirez
Wine Hospitality
Santa Rosa,CA
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Manager, Learning & Development
Foley Family Wines & Spirits
08.2025 - Current
- Curriculum Architecture: Designed and delivered a comprehensive two-day training program for guest-facing staff, focusing on brand storytelling, elevated hospitality, and wine club conversion to drive revenue.
- Digital Transformation: Developed SCORM-compliant on-demand modules and a full video training series via Paylocity LMS, maintaining rigorous onboarding standards for remote and local teams.
- Strategic Sales Coaching: Facilitated monthly workshops focused on guest psychology, proactive sales techniques, and advanced wine service to align hospitality teams with quarterly business goals.
- Cross-Company Synergy: Acted as a Subject Matter Expert for affiliate hotels and production teams, providing bespoke "Wine 101", wine service, and FFWS product training to promote cross-selling of our products.
Senior Trade Ambassador
Foley Family Wines & Spirits
01.2019 - Current
- Collaborated with Sales Directors to deliver high-impact presentations and serve as a lead Brand Ambassador for Tier-1 national accounts and luxury hospitality partners (Kroger, Hyatt, Bloomin’ Brands, Flemings), ensuring brand integrity and product excellence across diverse portfolios.
- Facilitated cross-affiliate initiatives between Marketing, Foley-owned hotels and restaurants, and Community Relations to execute winemaker dinners and in-person and virtual tastings.
- Curated and led bespoke, multi-day immersion experiences across California’s premier wine regions, driving long-term brand advocacy among high-net-worth individuals (elite sports box seat holders) and elite trade guests.
- Represented the FFWS portfolio as a lead ambassador at major trade shows, community outreach programs, and philanthropic fundraisers, enhancing the company’s public profile.
- Served as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) during external wine-tasting events and gala dinners, translating complex winemaking concepts into engaging narratives for diverse audiences.
Assistant Manager, Tasting Room
Foley Family Wines
06.2020 - 03.2022
- Strategic Growth & Rebuilding: Spearheaded the post-COVID restoration of full-service operations and guest engagement standards, scaling revenue through private buy-outs and targeted wine club conversion coaching.
- Relocation & Launch Management: Orchestrated the end-to-end decommissioning and seamless transition of staff, inventory, and operations to a premier new hotel location in Santa Barbara.
- Experience Design & Activation: Collaborated on the architectural design of a new service model, launching curated wine flights, elevated food pairings, and high-profile winemaker dinners.
- Operational Consultation: Assisted in managing initial tasting room operations and provided ongoing consultation on service standards while concurrently fulfilling responsibilities as Senior Trade Ambassador.
Harvest Intern
Dierberg and Star Lane Vineyards
07.2018 - 11.2018
- Boutique Winemaking Excellence: Learned cellar operations under the mentorship of Tyler Thomas, applying elite viticultural and enological techniques rooted in the traditions of Aubert de Villaine.
- Artisanal Production: Utilized traditional small-lot methods to ensure premium quality, and assisted in custom-crush production for a major enterprise account, gaining exposure to commercial-scale practices and the strategic use of adjuncts not utilized in the company’s boutique estate production.
- Technical Cellar Logistics: Maintained rigorous sanitation standards and served as a certified forklift operator, managing the efficient movement of fruit, equipment, and barrels during peak harvest windows.
Tasting Room Manager
Brander Vineyard
09.2017 - 07.2018
- Operations & Inventory Management: Directed daily tasting room operations and implemented strict inventory control measures to minimize waste and ensure accurate stock levels.
- Event Marketing & Execution: Collaborated on the development and execution of marketing materials, seasonal promotions, and special events to drive brand engagement and guest traffic.
- Sales Analysis & Strategy: Evaluated sales data and consumer trends to optimize product mix and pricing strategies, identifying key opportunities for revenue growth.
Latin Teacher
BASIS Charter Schools
07.2012 - 07.2017
Education
Diploma Candidate (final Exam Results Pending) -
WSET
04.2026
Master of Arts - Mediterranean Archaeology
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ05.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Latin
University of Georgia
GA04.2007
Skills
Performance Coaching and Talent Development
Wine Expertise
Food & Wine Pairing Consultation
VIP Hospitality & Event Host
Consumer-focused Wine Experience Creation
LMS Management & E-learning Design
Cheese, Caviar and Spirit Knowledge
Public Speaking
Certification
WSET III
Timeline
Manager, Learning & Development
Foley Family Wines & Spirits
08.2025 - Current
Assistant Manager, Tasting Room
Foley Family Wines
06.2020 - 03.2022
Senior Trade Ambassador
Foley Family Wines & Spirits
01.2019 - Current
Harvest Intern
Dierberg and Star Lane Vineyards
07.2018 - 11.2018
Tasting Room Manager
Brander Vineyard
09.2017 - 07.2018
Latin Teacher
BASIS Charter Schools
07.2012 - 07.2017
Diploma Candidate (final Exam Results Pending) -
WSET
Master of Arts - Mediterranean Archaeology
University of Arizona
Bachelor of Arts - Latin
University of Georgia