The story of Mission Estate Winery begins when French missionaries reached New Zealand shores in 1838. Our history, special character, and the evolution of our winery are intertwined with the rich history of New Zealand. Mission Estate is New Zealand’s oldest winery, and we’re looking for top-notch, enthusiastic people passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences.
The Cellar Door team are at the forefront of our brand experience, telling our stories, sharing our wines, and creating amazing memories for our guests. Our Cellar Door is one of the busiest in the country and is open seven days a week, year-round.
About the Role
As a Cellar Door Host, you will:
Deliver engaging and memorable wine tasting experiences
Confidently recommend and sell wines to visitors
Promote wine club memberships and other direct-to-consumer offerings
Share the stories behind our wines, people, and heritage
Build rapport with guests and create lasting brand connections
Assist with stock presentation, merchandising, and general Cellar Door operations
Work collaboratively with the wider hospitality and tourism teams to ensure a seamless visitor experience
About You
You'll be a people person who enjoys engaging with customers and naturally builds enthusiasm around products and experiences.
To be successful in this role, you'll have:
A passion for delivering exceptional customer service
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Confidence in recommending products and closing sales
Energy, initiative, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
A positive, team-focused, can-do attitude
Flexibility to work weekends, public holidays, and busy trading periods
Willingness to roll up your sleeves and contribute wherever needed, whether that's serving guests, replenishing stock, or helping maintain a clean and welcoming environment
Previous experience in retail sales, hospitality, tourism, or a customer-facing role will be highly regarded. An interest in wine is advantageous, but your willingness to learn and enthusiasm for sharing our wines with visitors matter more. We will provide full wine and product training.
What We Offer
The opportunity to work for one of New Zealand's most iconic wineries
Comprehensive wine and product training
A supportive and passionate team environment
Valuable experience in wine tourism, retail sales and hospitality
A unique workplace set amongst the vines in the heart of Hawke's Bay
Important Information
This is a fixed-term position from December 2026 through to 31 March 2027. Because this role is seasonal, applicants must be available to work for the full duration of the fixed-term contract. Unfortunately, we cannot consider applications from candidates who are not available through to the end of March 2027.
Our Cellar Door operates seven days a week, and successful applicants will be required to work weekends and public holidays. We prepare rosters 2-3 weeks in advance.
Apply Now
To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter telling us why you would like to join the Mission Estate team.