Company Profile Founded in 1990, Sunstone Winery is Santa Barbara County's first organic vineyard, renowned for its award-winning wines and its commitment to Bordeaux and Rhône varietals. Sunstone operates the most visited tasting room in the region. The estate features the world-renowned Sunstone Villa and Guest Cottage — available for private stays, weddings and events, and film and photography projects. Job Summary Sunstone Winery seeks an experienced and driven Sales and Events Manager, Sunstone Villa. The Manager owns the weddings and private events segment — from first inquiry through final billing — with full accountability for sales, client servicing, onsite execution, and revenue performance. The Manager also leads the planning and execution of Sunstone Winery hosted events, and directs the Event Coordinator and the estate's venue representative team. This is a senior leadership position combining commercial ownership with hands-on operational direction. Sunstone hosts a discerning clientele — high-net-worth families, celebrity and public-figure guests, luxury wedding clients and their planners, and film and production companies — and the role demands an exceptional standard of hospitality, polish, and discretion at every touchpoint. The successful candidate is equally comfortable closing a six-figure wedding contract, walking a planner through a load-in schedule, and holding a vendor to venue rules on a Saturday night. The Manager works in close partnership with the Villa Operations Manager, who owns overnight accommodations and guest stay operations, to coordinate event-weekend room blocks, arrivals and departures, and property readiness. Key Responsibilities Service Standard. Across every responsibility below, the Manager is accountable for delivering and enforcing an exceptional level of hospitality befitting a luxury estate. This includes personally setting the service tone for the department, anticipating the needs of high-profile and high-expectation clients, guests, and their planners, exercising absolute discretion and confidentiality regarding guest identity and activity, and holding every team member to the same standard. 1. Wedding & Private Event Sales Own the sales performance of the Sunstone weddings and private events segment.

Sales Strategy & Execution:

Own segment revenue. Direct sales offerings, pricing, packaging, and go-to-market strategy. Conduct site tours and presentations for prospective clients and planners. Partner with the Sunstone marketing team to promote wedding and event packages, drive qualified inquiries, and grow bookings.

Inquiry & Pipeline Management:

Respond to inquiries promptly and to standard, qualify leads, manage the booking pipeline and calendar, and maintain accurate records in the CRM and event management systems.

Contract Negotiation & Management:

Negotiate and close bookings. Circulate form contracts for execution and escalate any requested deviations from standard terms. Manage event financials, ensuring costs are tracked, deposits are secured, and payments are collected on schedule.

Industry & Referral Development:

Build relationships with wedding planners, luxury travel and event networks, and industry partners to generate qualified referrals and repeat business. 2. Event Servicing & Client Management Own the client relationship and the servicing of every booked event.

Client Relations:

Serve as primary point of contact for clients and their planners from initial inquiry through post-event follow-up. Conduct planning calls, walkthroughs, and detail meetings, and produce accurate event orders, floor plans, and timelines for internal use.

Accommodations Coordination:

Coordinate with the Villa Operations Manager on room blocks, guest lists, arrival and departure timing, and any in-stay services tied to an event, so that event and accommodation plans align.

Internal Communication:

Distribute event details and staffing requirements to housekeeping, grounds, tasting room, and villa operations in advance of each event, and confirm all departments are prepared to execute.

Post-Event Follow-Up:

Conduct post-event evaluations to gather feedback and resolve concerns. Ensure timely, accurate final billing, including damage, overage, and rule-violation charges. 3.

Vendor & Venue Compliance Planner & Vendor Coordination:

Serve as Sunstone's point of contact for clients, planners, and their vendors — florists, caterers, photographers, entertainment, and rental companies. Vendors are engaged and directed by the client or planner; the Manager communicates venue requirements, confirms vendors are approved and carry required insurance and licensing, and holds them to Sunstone's standards and site rules.

Preferred Vendor Program:

Maintain and develop the preferred vendor list, including vetting, documentation, and ongoing relationship management.

Venue Readiness & Rule Enforcement:

Ensure all event spaces and grounds are prepared and presented to Sunstone standard in advance of each event. Clients, planners, and their contracted vendors are responsible for event design, setup, production, execution, and breakdown; the Manager ensures those parties are informed of and comply with venue rules, load-in and load-out windows, insurance and applicable legal requirements, and all contract terms. Confirm the property is restored to pre-event condition and document any damage, overage, or rule violation for billing.

Venue Representation Onsite:

Serve as Sunstone's senior onsite representative during events, and direct the Sunstone venue representative and event staff supporting the event. Enforce venue rules, noise and curfew limits, and applicable legal requirements, and confirm that the client's planner, vendors, and event staff operate within venue requirements and contract terms. Act as the escalation point for the planner on any matter affecting the property or its compliance obligations. The Manager does not direct or supervise the client's planners, vendors, or event staff. 4. Sunstone Winery Hosted Events Lead the planning and execution of events hosted by Sunstone Winery itself — including member and club events, wine release and harvest events, trade and media events, and partner and community activations.

Planning & Execution:

Develop event concepts, budgets, timelines, and run-of-show. Book and direct any outside vendors engaged by Sunstone for these events.

Cross-Departmental Coordination:

Partner with marketing, DTC and wine club, tasting room, and villa operations on promotion, guest lists, ticketing or RSVPs, staffing, and onsite execution.

Onsite Delivery & Debrief:

Manage setup, guest experience, and breakdown for hosted events, and debrief results against goals, budget, and attendance. 5. Team Leadership — Event Coordinator & Venue Representatives Recruit, hire, train, and manage the Event Coordinator and the Sunstone venue representative and event staff teams. Direct and manage the Event Coordinator, setting priorities, assignments, and performance expectations. Train venue representatives on venue rules, applicable legal requirements, and escalation protocol so that events are supported consistently and compliantly across the calendar. Build and manage event staffing schedules to ensure a Sunstone venue representative is present onsite at all times during events, including load-in and load-out. Set performance expectations, monitor performance, deliver coaching and reviews, and address performance issues in coordination with the CEO and HR. Foster a positive, professional, and safe work environment. Ensure team compliance with company policies, safety practices, and applicable wage and hour requirements. 6. Departmental Direction, Growth & Cost Control Direct the events department, setting priorities, standards, and operating practices. Collaborate with the CEO to plan for growth, including staffing levels, team structure, and the resources required to support expanding event volume. Drive revenue growth, expanding bookings and average value per booking. Control departmental labor and operating costs, managing spend within authorized limits. Collaborate with and support other departments and company initiatives as needed. The Manager customarily and regularly directs the work of two or more employees, exercises discretion and independent judgment on matters of significance, and makes hiring and personnel recommendations that are given particular weight. Qualifications Required 5+ years managing weddings and private events, including onsite execution. Demonstrated success owning a sales target, with experience negotiating and closing venue or event contracts. Demonstrated experience delivering a luxury standard of service to discerning, high-net-worth, or high-profile clientele, with proven discretion in handling confidential client information. Team leadership experience, including hiring, scheduling, coaching, and performance management. Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to build a positive team culture. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and frequent live-event pressure. Proficiency with CRM, event management, and standard business software. Ability to work onsite in Santa Ynez, California. Availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as required by event operations, particularly during peak season. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for local travel to partner and industry meetings. Preferred Experience in a wine country, luxury boutique, or private estate setting. Established relationships within the luxury wedding planner and vendor community. Experience launching or scaling a new event venue or event offering. Conversational Spanish. Physical Requirements The role requires the ability to move about the estate and grounds throughout the day, including uneven terrain and stairs; to remain on foot for extended periods during events; and to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds. Work occurs both indoors and outdoors in varying weather. Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with applicable law. What We Offer Full-time exempt position with comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Paid time off, paid holidays, and employee wine and merchandise discounts. How to Apply If you have a passion for delivering exceptional hospitality and meet the qualifications above, we invite you to apply. Submit your resume and a cover letter describing your relevant experience, and reference "Sales and Events Manager, Sunstone Villa" in your application. Join Sunstone Winery and help create unforgettable moments in the heart of wine country. Sunstone Winery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law. This job description describes the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Employment with Sunstone Winery is at-will. This description does not constitute a contract of employment.

Pay:

$75,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person