Jeffrey Otterson
Napa,CA
Summary
A seasoned 'Hospitalitarian' and restaurant professional with over 24 years of experience, I carry a range of expertise that spans multiple restaurant settings, with a focus on fine dining service and business management. A company culture that places priority on education, creativity, and dedication is where I will thrive best. I am seeking to both deepen and strengthen my wine knowledge, flex my hospitality muscles, and contribute to an organization among a professional and career-driven team. I am a leader, a teacher, and a student of hospitality, and the restaurant/wine industry.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Beverage Director, General Manager, & Sommelier
Compline
Napa, California
08.2024 - Current
- Awarded 'Best Mid-Sized Wine List in North America' from the World of Fine Wine Awards 2024 and 2025.
- Earned a Wine Spectator 'Best of Award of Excellence' in 2025 for the wine program.
- Developed and maintained an esteemed wine list, focused on international and boutique producers.
- Created a new cocktail and spirits program from scratch, including cocktail recipes, glassware, SOPs, and all inventory purchasing.
- Managed a team of staff, including writing schedules, leading pre-shift meetings, interviewing and hiring, training, performance evaluations, implementing side work, and cleanliness duties.
- Trained staff on beverage service standards and product knowledge to enhance customer experience.
- Designed thoughtful wine pairings for tasting menus and events.
- Handled guest reviews, was responsible for on-site, in-the-moment feedback, and overall quality control on various products and services.
- Conducted weekly, in-depth staff trainings on wine regions, industry trends, spirits knowledge, producer profiles, and elevated salesmanship.
- Maintained the desired COGS from ownership within the entire beverage program.
- I served as a hospitality leader and worked to strengthen guest interaction and foster meaningful relationships with regulars and guests.
- Responsible for purchasing beer, liquor, and wine products, and maintaining relationships with distributors and sales representatives.
- Counted the weekly and monthly inventory of in-house products.
- Programmed and maintained useful technologies such as Toast POS and OpenTable software.
- Worked with ownership to create special themed events and dinners to drive sales and guest satisfaction.
- Focused on providing my team with a positive and healthy work environment while coaching them to better their own skills and abilities.
Sommelier, Manager
PARC Aspen
Aspen, Colorado
05.2022 - 05.2024
- Opened a hospitality-focused and local ingredient-based fine dining restaurant in the heart of downtown Aspen.
- Earned a Wine Spectator 'Best of Award of Excellence' for the wine program.
- Worked with a classically focused 1,300-selection wine list, with verticals of top producers and vintages from around the world.
- Managed a wine program with over 7,000 bottles in inventory.
- Set up systems for onboarding, cleanliness, and organization, staff training, POS programming, inventory, scheduling, standards of service, and overall management functions.
- Created best-selling cocktails season after season for the beverage program.
- Responsible for fine dining wine service, including designing pairings and flights for tasting menus.
- Responsible for the daily management of the staff, creating a unique and positive guest experience, and working with ownership to achieve our collective goals.
- Maintained a following of regulars and returning, high-end wine clientele.
- Counted the monthly inventory of all beverage products.
- Served as an interim General Manager at the request of Ownership.
General Manager, Beverage Director, & Sommelier
Destination Hospitality
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
11.2016 - 05.2022
- Served as the General Manager for three separate restaurants within the company's portfolio of resort-based locations: Table 79 (Steamboat Springs), Aurum Food & Wine (Steamboat Springs), and Aurum Food & Wine (Snowmass Village).
- Opened new locations within the company and oversaw restaurants with 65 seats to over 300 seats.
- Developed and maintained wine and beverage programs in top-tier Colorado ski town environments.
- I pushed myself and others around me to lead dinner experiences with thoughtful and elevated hospitality practices.
- Oversaw operations exceeding $3.4 million in yearly sales.
- Administrative duties include payroll, hiring and onboarding, scheduling, invoices, inventory, HR documents, and private event contracts.
- Worked in an event setting to host weddings, company parties, live music, and other various special circumstances.
- Wine service professional and beverage trainer.
- Managed a staff of around 65 individuals.
- Helped develop and train future company leaders.
- Point person for local concierge services and regional tourism organizations.
- Responsible for all beverage purchasing at each restaurant location, and maintaining organized and profitable programs.
Education
High School Diploma -
Southwest Senior Highschool
Minneapolis, MN06-2004
Skills
- Certified sommelier
- Wine program management
- Financial literacy and P&L reporting
- Inventory management and budgeting
- TIPS trained
- Cocktail development
- Food and beverage photography
- Team leadership
- Conflict resolution
- Fine dining expertise
- Positive work environment advocacy
- Ongoing wine education
- Relationship building
- Community engagement
- Sustainable food practices
- Employee retention strategies
Certification
Certified Sommelier - Court of Master Sommeliers of Americas
Affiliations
Photography
Timeline
Beverage Director, General Manager, & Sommelier
Compline
08.2024 - Current
Sommelier, Manager
PARC Aspen
05.2022 - 05.2024
General Manager, Beverage Director, & Sommelier
Destination Hospitality
11.2016 - 05.2022
High School Diploma -
Southwest Senior Highschool