Head Sommelier
Full-time | Fixed-term maternity leave position until May ****
We're looking for an experienced Head Sommelier to join the team at Brae for a fixed-term maternity leave position through to May ****.
This is an prospect to take responsibility for an established and wide-ranging beverage program at one of Australia's leading regional restaurants, while bringing your own knowledge, curiosity and personality to the role.
Brae's beverage program is built around place, people and character.
There is a strong focus on Victorian growers and producers, alongside carefully cellared Australian and international wines, rare and cult releases, sake, spirits, beer, cocktails and an evolving non-alcoholic program using ingredients grown on Brae Farm.
As Head Sommelier, you'll work closely with our Restaurant Manager and the wider Brae leadership team to oversee the beverage program across the restaurant and guest suites.
You'll be responsible for the wine and beverage lists, purchasing and supplier relationships, cellar management, stock control and budgets, while leading beverage service and helping develop the knowledge and confidence of the wider team.
Just as importantly, you'll be part of service.
Brae is a small team, and our Head Sommelier is an active presence on the floor — welcoming guests, serving food and beverages, sharing knowledge when it adds to the experience, and contributing wherever needed to create thoughtful, intuitive hospitality.
The role
You'll take responsibility for:
Leading Brae's wine and wider beverage program
Maintaining and developing our wine and beverage lists




Managing purchasing, allocations, cellar investment and supplier relationships
Championing exceptional Victorian producers while maintaining Brae's Australian, European, rare and cult collections
Overseeing stock control, stocktakes, beverage costs and sales performance
Delivering confident, knowledgeable and engaging beverage service
Developing pairings and recommending beverages that genuinely enhance the guest experience
Training and mentoring the FOH team across wine, spirits, cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, tea and coffee
Contributing to the continued development of Brae's alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
Maintaining the organisation and presentation of the cellar, beverage storage and wine list
Representing Brae at tastings, industry events and relevant educational opportunities
Participating fully in restaurant service and the day-to-day life of a small hospitality team
About You:
We're looking for someone who combines strong beverage knowledge with warmth, organisation and good judgement.
You'll ideally be:
An experienced sommelier with at least three years' professional sommelier experience
Confident managing a substantial and diverse wine cellar
Commercially aware,



with experience in purchasing, stock control and beverage costing
Knowledgeable about Australian wine, with a particular interest in Victorian producers
Curious about wine and beverages beyond traditional boundaries
Comfortable sharing knowledge without ego
A strong communicator and generous trainer
Organised, accurate and confident using Excel and Word
Calm and decisive during service
Happy to be part of a small team where everyone contributes beyond their individual specialty
Committed to exceptional hospitality and continual learning
Applicants should hold WSET Level 3 / WSET Advanced, CMS Certified Sommelier or an equivalent qualification, together with a current Victorian Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate and Do Food Safely certificate.
Working at Brae
Brae is a restaurant, organic farm and guest accommodation in Birregurra, Victoria.
Our work is guided by the values of Integrity, Excellence, Growth, Clarity, Sustainability and Innovation, and by the belief that restaurants and hospitality can have a positive impact on the people who work within them, their communities and the environment.
This is a full-time, fixed-term maternity leave position until May ****, working across our Thursday to Sunday roster.
For the right person, it offers the chance to step into a significant beverage leadership role, work with an exceptional cellar and producer network, and contribute to a restaurant where food, farming, beverages and hospitality are all deeply connected.
#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Head Sommelier (Victoria)
🏢 Brae
📍 Victoria