Cort Wickman
1550 Parkwood Court Napa,CA
Summary
A Napa native since the age of 7 who is a positive, hardworking, attentive, and experienced Wine Educator with over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Educated in wine making practices with a personal appreciation for aging practices. Adept in hospitality and curating an at-home, comfortable environment. Personable with guests and able create long-lasting impressions and relationships. Excelling in understanding the needs of guests and finding amicable solutions to problems that arise in the moment. Proficient in modern wine sales technology and quick to learn new formats.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Tasting Room Associate
Mayacamas Vineyards & Winery
02.2023 - 10.2024
- Greeted tasting room visitors and answered questions with upbeat attitude and professionalism.
- Provided informed wine suggestions to tasting room guests.
- Poured wines according to quality and service standards.
- Managed tasting room inventory.
- Maintained tasting room retail area and created merchandise displays.
- Used in-store system to locate inventory and place special orders for customers.
- Curated charcuterie boards upon guest request.
- Worked two different locations as needed.
- Set up, executed and broke down equipment for events.
- Acted as Tasting Room Lead at downtown location when necessary.
- Managed guest correspondence and remedied any on-going or immediate issue or concern.
- Collaborated with team when need and worked independently as well.
Wine Educator
Obsidian Wine Co.
07.2021 - 01.2023
- Introduce guests to the wines and the story behind them
- Prepare charcuterie boards for off-site experiences
- Arrange bottles and glasses to make attractive displays
- Assist guests in finding wines that they enjoy
- Encourage guests to become members of the wine club
- Hosting off-site events and customer experiences
- Maintaining long term customer relations
- Acting as a brand ambassador in and out of tasting room location
- Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol
- Clean bars, work areas, and tables
- Ask customers who become loud and obnoxious to leave, or physically remove them
- Inspect tasting room to ensure cleanliness and proper setup
- Perform marketing and advertising services
- Explain the winery's history to guests
- Educate guests on wines and the winemaking process
Server
Charter Oak
03.2021 - 05.2021
- Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens
- Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff
- Escort customers to their tables
- Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Roll silverware, set up food stations or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties
- Take orders from patrons for food or beverages
- Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required
- Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom
- Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers
- Perform food preparation duties such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee
- Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems
- Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request
- Describe and recommend wines to customers
- Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods
- Provide guests with information about local areas, including giving directions
- Inform customers of daily specials
Wine Educator
Nicholson Ranch Winery
05.2018 - 02.2021
- Host tastings and tours on-site
- Pour wines at off-site events
- Keep tasting room and service area clean
- Check identification and verify age requirements for alcohol purchases
- Clean glasses, utensils, and wine pouring utensils
- Arrange bottles and glassware to make attractive displays
- Assist guests in finding wines they enjoy and introduce them to new varietals
- Encourage guests to sign up for wine club membership
- Explain the winery's history to guests
- Educate guests on wines and the winemaking process
Education
High School Diploma -
Vintage High School
Napa, California05.2010
Skills
- Sales transactions
- Reservation management
- Customer retention
- Sales strategy
- Winery history
- Onsite tours
- POS system operation
- Attention to quality
- Winery expertise
- Manage inventory
- Relationship building
- Interpersonal skills
Accomplishments
- Took a year to study Enology including a course in Viticulture and a course in Wines of the World.
- Worked in the cellar during harvest season of 2021 while working at Obsidian Wine Co.
Timeline
Tasting Room Associate
Mayacamas Vineyards & Winery
02.2023 - 10.2024
Wine Educator
Obsidian Wine Co.
07.2021 - 01.2023
Server
Charter Oak
03.2021 - 05.2021
Wine Educator
Nicholson Ranch Winery
05.2018 - 02.2021
High School Diploma -
Vintage High School
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