Sommelier Jobs in Montréal
Montréal has an unusually strong wine culture for its size, driven by importation privée and a deep bench of natural wine rooms. Sommelier work here is as much about building a list under SAQ constraints as it is about service.
Also called: wine director, wine steward, beverage manager
3 openings in the app
Open on Waldo
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What it pays in Montréal
Québec minimum wage is $16.60 an hour, and $13.30 an hour for employees who receive tips, in effect since May 1, 2026.
What the job involves
- Build and maintain the wine list and manage cellar inventory
- Guide guests through pairings and sell wine during service
- Work with private importers and manage SAQ ordering
- Train floor staff on the list and on tasting notes
- Control beverage cost, margin and stock rotation
Who hires for this role
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Bars
How hiring works on Waldo
- Create your profile once — experience, availability, roles and neighbourhoods.
- Swipe through real openings that match what you asked for.
- When the venue swipes back, a chat opens automatically.
- Arrange a trial shift or interview directly in the conversation.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need certification to be a sommelier in Montréal?
It is not legally required, but it matters commercially. An ITHQ sommellerie program, WSET levels or CMS certification all carry weight, and most serious wine rooms expect either formal training or a demonstrable track record building a list.
What is importation privée and why does it matter here?
It is the Québec system that lets restaurants order wines through private agencies rather than only SAQ retail stock. It is central to how Montréal wine lists are built, so understanding agency ordering, allocations and lead times is a genuine job requirement.
What does a sommelier make in Montréal?
Base pay typically sits around $20 to $30 an hour, and because sommeliers usually work the floor, tips push the effective rate meaningfully higher — often into the high twenties to forty dollar range on a strong service.
Where this role is hiring
Other roles hiring now
Related guides
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