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Wine merchant

Alternative titles for this job include Vintner, wine trader

Wine merchants buy and sell wines from around the world. They also advise customers on different types of wine.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Wine merchant

You can get into this job through:

  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • a graduate training scheme
  • a professional course from a private training provider

Work

You could start in the trade as a sales assistant for a wine retailer, a wine wholesaler, or by working in a wine bar or restaurant.

Experience and qualifications gained through the hospitality sector may be useful in this role.

Business, sales and marketing experience might also be helpful.

Direct Application

You can apply directly to get into this job. You'll usually need retail experience and extensive product knowledge to be an independent wine merchant.

Other Routes

You could start work with a large wine retailer as a graduate management trainee, if you have a degree. Employers will accept most subjects.

You could also take training and qualifications with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust to build up your knowledge of the industry.

More Information

Career tips

The ability to speak French, Spanish, Portuguese, German or Italian would be useful for working with overseas wine producers.

Further information

You'll find more advice about working in wine retail and wholesale through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • persuading and negotiating skills
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • maths knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • business management skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

To work as a manager, buyer or importer, you’ll usually need a UK driving licence.

You must be at least 18 years old to work in retail wine sales.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a wine merchant, you could:

  • search out new vineyards and wines and select products for sale
  • negotiate prices with producers and wholesalers for bulk orders
  • sell products to hotels, restaurants, bars and retailers
  • maintain shop stock, serve customers and give advice on wines
  • attend trade shows and organise promotions, including wine tastings
  • train and mentor new staff

Working environment

You could work at a store or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could become:

  • a distributor, buying from producers and selling to retail outlets
  • an independent wine merchant with your own shop
  • an events organiser for trade fairs, tastings and competitions
  • a wine producer, either in the UK or overseas
  • a wine consultant, advising on production, marketing and selling

You could also study for exams with The Institute of Masters of Wine to become a Master of Wine. This demonstrates your expertise in the wine industry.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Wine merchant right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Award for Personal Licence Holders

  • Provider: KENDAL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 12 May 2025
  • Location: Kendal

Personal Licence Holders BIIAB

  • Provider: LANCASTER AND MORECAMBE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 04 December 2024
  • Location: Lancaster
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