A Day in the Life of a Tasting Room Manager

Many people think a tasting room manager’s job is all about pouring wine and chatting with guests, behind the scenes, they’re managing a complex mix of staffing, inventory, guest experience and sales, often with clunky tools that make everything more complicated than it should be.  

Here’s what a typical day looks like for a tasting room manager and how the right winery software can make every task smoother and more profitable. 

8:00 AM – Getting the Team Ready 

Long before the first guests arrive, the tasting room manager is prepping the day. They’re checking reservations, assigning staff, ensuring inventory is stocked, and troubleshooting yesterday’s glitches. 

Where tech helps: 
With a unified system, managers see reservations, club member visits, and staffing needs in one place. No more juggling multiple calendars or sticky notes. 

11:00 AM – Doors Open, Guests Arrive 

As the tasting room fills up, the manager floats between the bar, the floor, and the back office. They jump in to pour flights, greet regulars, and keep staff on track. 

Where tech helps: 
A modern POS that’s mobile-friendly and easy to learn helps staff move quickly. They can split checks, apply club discounts, and capture guest notes without fumbling with clunky screens. 

1:00 PM – Managing Wine Club Moments 

A loyal club member wants to pick up their shipment, but the system is down or their preferences weren’t saved. Suddenly, what should be a simple pickup becomes an awkward moment. 

Where tech helps: 
Unified wine club management software keeps club preferences, shipment status, and member perks up to date and accessible anywhere, so managers can handle pickups with a smile, not a workaround. 

3:00 PM – Data and Decisions on the Fly 

Mid-shift, the manager checks sales numbers. Are tasting fees converting to bottle sales? Which team member needs support? Without real-time insights, they’re guessing. 

Where tech helps: 
With real-time dashboards, tasting room managers can track sales, inventory, and performance on the fly, keeping an eye on key metrics like per-person average order value (AOV), a team sales leaderboard, and inventory depletion, so they can make quick calls that boost revenue.  

5:00 PM – Keeping the Guest Experience Seamless 

As the day winds down, there’s a private tasting happening in the barrel room and walk-ins still flowing in. The manager ensures every guest feels welcome and that no opportunity for future sales slips through the cracks. 

Where tech helps: 
An integrated CRM captures guest preferences, visit history, and purchases automatically. No more scribbled notes that never make it into marketing. Follow-ups are timely and personalized. 

7:00 PM – Wrapping Up, Looking Ahead 

After the last glass is poured and the team is closing out, the manager reviews sales reports, guest feedback, and tomorrow’s bookings. They know that a great day in the tasting room is built on repeatable, smooth operations supported by the right technology. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What does a tasting room manager do? 
A tasting room manager oversees daily operations, manages staff, handles guest experiences, supports wine club interactions, and drives sales while juggling inventory, events, and reporting. 

Why does winery software matter for tasting room managers? 
Disconnected tools waste time and frustrate staff. Unified winery software helps managers run smoother shifts, deliver better guest experiences, and boost sales with less stress. 

What tools should tasting rooms use? 
Look for a unified platform that combines reservations, POS, wine club management, CRM, and reporting, all designed specifically for wineries. 

How can I make my tasting room more profitable? 
Streamline operations, empower staff with easy-to-use tech, and use data to convert guests into loyal club members and repeat buyers. 

Ready to Make Life Easier for Your Tasting Room Manager? 

OrderPort helps wineries simplify tasting room operations, connect every guest touchpoint, and grow DTC sales with one unified platform. 

Want to see it in action? 
Schedule a Demo or See How OrderPort Works