Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Timeline
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Michelle Gonzalez

Santa Monica,CA

Summary

Dynamic Wine Director with a proven track record at Damian, excelling in cellar management and staff training. Leveraged wine pairing expertise to enhance guest satisfaction and drive revenue growth. Demonstrated leadership in organizing special events and developing a knowledgeable team, ensuring a top-tier beverage experience.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Wine Director and Beverage Buyer

Damian
10.2023 - Current
  • Curating a wine and spirits list that helps create a cohesive dinning experience for guests
  • Help with staff education on our wine and spirits program
  • Coordinating with the GM in menu structure, events, as well as floor during service
  • Working with distributors and importers on orders and invoices
  • Creating inventory systems to make the process efficient and profitable


Head Sommelier

Damian
07.2022 - Current
  • Guided guests through beverage menus to find perfect pairings with menu items
  • Helped create a communication and easier way of explaining wine to staff with small one on one trainings
  • Cultivated a culture with beverages that our staff and guests were not hesitate to ask questions
  • Learned all aspects of the menu and order of operations to work together as team in moments notice

Sommelier

Fia Restaurant
05.2023 - 11.2023
  • Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
  • Maintained a clean and organized wine cellar, adhering to proper storage conditions to preserve the quality and integrity of each bottle.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing impeccable wine recommendations tailored to individual preferences

Manager and Sales Associate

Silverlake Wine
12.2019 - 03.2023
  • Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
  • Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
  • Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.

Sommelier/Coffee Bar Manager

Jon & Vinny's/ Helen's
10.2018 - 08.2022
  • Guided guests through an extensive list and find wine that curated with their experience
  • Ran weekend wine tastings and sold bottles of wine for retail
  • Developed espresso, batch recipes, NA beverages for the restaurant
  • Trained staff on how to operate espresso and coffee machine

Education

No Degree - Film

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
06.2014

High School Diploma -

Culver City High School
Culver City, CA
06.2013

No Degree - Film Production

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Skills

  • Cellar Management
  • Wine Service Management
  • Staff Training and Development
  • Special Events
  • Wine Pairing Expertise

Certification

Court Of Master Sommeliers: Introduction Certification (2019);Certified Sommelier (2022); Advance Sommelier Candidate as of 2023
WSET: Level 1 in Wine (Fall 2019); Level 2 In Wine (Spring 2020); Level 3 in Wine Tasting (Spring 2020); Level 1 in Sake (Spring 2021)
LA Somm Community Captain- Connecting with Los Angeles Sommeliers and creating mentorship and prep for future exams


Languages

English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Wine Director and Beverage Buyer

Damian
10.2023 - Current

Sommelier

Fia Restaurant
05.2023 - 11.2023

Head Sommelier

Damian
07.2022 - Current

Manager and Sales Associate

Silverlake Wine
12.2019 - 03.2023

Sommelier/Coffee Bar Manager

Jon & Vinny's/ Helen's
10.2018 - 08.2022

No Degree - Film

Pasadena City College

High School Diploma -

Culver City High School

No Degree - Film Production

University of Southern California

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Michelle Gonzalez