At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fun and educational vineyard tours while showcasing our award-winning wines.
- Company: Join Balfour Winery, a pioneering English wine producer in the beautiful Kent countryside.
- Benefits: Earn £15 per hour with flexible part-time hours and a vibrant work environment.
- Why this job: Be an ambassador for exceptional wines and share your passion with guests.
- Qualifications: Great communication skills and a willingness to learn about wine and viticulture.
- Other info: Flexible weekend work and opportunities to grow within a supportive team.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Balfour Winery is one of England’s most respected and pioneering wine producers, nestled in the heart of the Hush Heath Estate in Kent. Founded in 2002, our family‑run estate has built a reputation for producing world‑class English still and sparkling wines with elegance, personality, and a true sense of place.
A Passion for Innovation and Quality
Balfour was among the first English wineries to win international recognition for sparkling wine, with our Balfour Brut Rosé 2004 taking a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge and being the first English Sparkling wine to be served in BA First Class and the official English wine of the London 2021 Olympic Games. Since then, we’ve continued to push boundaries, making award‑winning wines that rival the best from Champagne and beyond; all while celebrating our English terroir.
The Estate
Our home, Hush Heath Estate, spans 400 acres of pristine Kent countryside. Of that, 130 acres are under vine, planted with classic Champagne varieties, (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay), along with aromatic still wine varieties like Bacchus and Ortega. We farm sustainably and are committed to protecting our ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows, and orchards that surround the vineyards.
Our Wines
We specialise in both traditional method sparkling wines and a growing range of award‑winning still wines, crafted by our expert winemaking team led by Fergus Elias. Every bottle reflects the care we take in the vineyard, the skill in the winery, and the unique character of our English climate.
Key Tasks & Responsibilities
- To deliver a top‑quality tour and wine experience to all guests and provide engaging, fun and educational vineyard tours and tastings, whilst maintaining a high level of professionalism.
- Actively sell our wines throughout the tour experience and ensure that groups are escorted back into the retail areas after the tour, highlighting offers and encouraging wine purchases.
- Set up and clear tasting rooms ahead of each experience, keeping a clean and tidy work area.
- Support the wider Hospitality Team at Balfour Winery when required by completing additional tasks, such as polishing glasses, serving in the restaurant, welcoming guests or supporting in the main tasting room or terrace.
- Act as an ambassador for Balfour Winery at local wine events, hosting tastings for the public and inspiring interest in our wines and visits to the estate.
- Deliver engaging, tutored wine tastings and experiences at client venues, supporting our corporate programme with confident, knowledgeable presentation.
- To the best of your ability, ensure all health and safety, security and emergency policies are adhered to.
- Helping to create a professional environment for staff to work in and for customers to enjoy.
Personal Qualities / Expectations
- Flexible working over weekends and bank holidays is essential.
- Strong time management – being punctual and keeping experiences to time is essential whilst maintaining a relaxed atmosphere.
- Ability to adapt to change with creativity and progressiveness.
- Skilled at reading the room and adapting the tone, pace and detail to different audiences.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills.
- Attention to detail.
- A willingness to learn about viticulture and winemaking, alongside our range of award‑winning wines.
- Basic computer skills.
- An ability to work closely, supportively, and flexibly with other staff members.
We welcome applications from a diverse range of individuals and will consider any reasonable adjustments to enable candidates to perform as well as possible during the recruitment process.
Tour Guide in Staplehurst employer: Balfour Hospitality
Contact Detail:
Balfour Hospitality Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Tour Guide in Staplehurst
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the winery inside out! Familiarise yourself with Balfour's history, wines, and the estate itself. This will not only help you during interviews but also show your genuine passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your storytelling skills! As a tour guide, you'll need to engage guests with interesting anecdotes about the wines and the vineyard. Try rehearsing with friends or family to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Attend local wine events or tastings to meet people in the industry. This can lead to valuable connections and might even give you a leg up when applying for the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Balfour team. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Tour Guide in Staplehurst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Wine: When writing your application, let your love for wine shine through! Share any experiences you've had with wine tasting or vineyard tours, and why you’re excited about the opportunity to work at Balfour Winery.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills match the key tasks and responsibilities listed in the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!
Keep It Professional Yet Fun: Remember, we’re looking for someone who can deliver engaging and fun experiences. So, while your application should be professional, don’t hesitate to inject a bit of personality into it. Show us you can connect with guests!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Balfour Hospitality
✨Know Your Wines
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of different wine varieties, especially those produced by Balfour Winery. Familiarise yourself with their award-winning wines and any unique characteristics that set them apart. This will show your passion for the role and help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview.
✨Practice Your Tour Delivery
Since the role involves delivering vineyard tours, practice how you would present a tour. Think about how to make it engaging and educational while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere. You could even do a mock tour for friends or family to get comfortable with your delivery style.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you provided excellent customer service. Highlight situations where you adapted to different audiences or handled challenging scenarios. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with guests and create a memorable experience.
✨Be Ready for Flexibility Questions
Given the flexible working hours required for this role, be prepared to discuss your availability and willingness to work weekends and bank holidays. Show that you understand the importance of being adaptable and how you can contribute positively to the team dynamic at Balfour Winery.