California Sales Manager

About Trefethen  

Trefethen Family Vineyards is a family-owned estate vineyard and winery in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. For over fifty years, we have been crafting distinguished estate grown wines that express the unique spirit of our land, vines, and people. Our core values include family, respect, sustainability, authenticity, learning and joy! With loyal customers around the country and the world, and a dedicated team of employees handling every aspect of the operation, from the soil to the table, our business is thriving.  

We were just named Winery of the Year by the Sommeliers Choice Awards, and we're looking for someone excited to help tell that story.  

The Opportunity  

This is an entry-level, in-market sales role built for someone who's outgoing, curious, and ready to learn the wine business from the ground up. You'll spend your days out in the field across Northern and Southern California opening new accounts, building relationships with buyers and sommeliers, and becoming a walking encyclopedia of all things Trefethen. If you love people, love learning, and love wine (or want to), this is where you start.  

What You’ll Do  

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  Prospect and open new off-premise and on-premise accounts throughout Northern & Southern California.  

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  Build genuine, lasting relationships with buyers, sommeliers, retail and wholesale sales professionals. You’ll create opportunities for our wines to succeed.  

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  Develop deep, first-hand knowledge of the Trefethen portfolio — the Oak Knoll District, our history, and our estate-grown wines.  

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  Represent Trefethen at trade tastings, staff trainings, and demos. Spearhead consumer events and grow admiration and attention to our wines and the brand with key clients.  

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  Support order management, follow-up, and account service with accuracy and professionalism, alongside our sales ops team and Sr. sales and marketing team members.  

Who You Are  

A natural people-person with a go-getter attitude, someone who lights up a room, loves learning, and isn't afraid to knock on a new door. You're more energized being out in the field than behind a desk, and you see every tasting, training, and account visit as a chance to grow sales and recognition of the Trefethen brand.  

What Your Bring  

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  A genuine passion for wine, with particular interest in Napa; WSET/CMS certification welcome, not required.  

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  1–2 years of sales experience; a hospitality or wine retail background is a plus.  

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  A proactive, self-motivated approach to new business development.  

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  Excellent communication skills and a professional, polished presence.  

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  Availability to work in the field daily throughout Southern California and neighboring states.  

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  Valid driver's license, reliable access to a vehicle, and a driving record that meets company and insurance requirements.  

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  Must be 21 years of age or older.  

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  Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.  

Physical Requirements  

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  Ability to travel regularly throughout Southern California and neighboring states and work in a variety of field, retail, restaurant, event, and office environments.  

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  Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time, including during customer visits, tastings, trainings, and events.  

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  Ability to occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including wine cases and event materials.  

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  Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, reach, kneel, crouch, or climb stairs.  

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  Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.  

Job Type  

Full-time, Exempt  

Compensation & Benefits  

Pay Transparency Disclosure: The salary range for this position is $75,000–$85,000 annually , depending on experience, plus eligibility for an annual target bonus equal to 15% of base salary . This represents a total target compensation of approximately $86,000–$98,000 annually . The actual salary offered will depend upon job-related factors such as overall qualifications, skills, experience, education, and internal equity. The Company reserves the right to modify the range at any time.  

Performance bonuses will be paid semi-annually based on exceeding established sales performance goals in the assigned region.  

Benefits include:  

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  Medical, dental, and vision insurance  

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  401(k) 

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  Paid time off  

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  Company holidays  

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  Additional benefits available upon hire  

Why Trefethen  

Join a third-generation, family-owned winery where you'll learn the business from people who've spent their careers doing it right — from the ground up.  

You'll be part of a close-knit team that does great work with enthusiasm, care, and a generous spirit, while representing one of Napa Valley's most storied, awarded, and genuinely loved brands.  

This is an opportunity to build your sales career while learning from experienced sales leadership, developing deep wine knowledge, and becoming a true ambassador for Trefethen Family Vineyards.