Invoice templates for freelance sommeliers covering private wine tastings, cellar management, corporate wine events, and restaurant consulting.
A sommelier invoice covers wine consultation, cellar management, private tasting events, and restaurant or hospitality wine programme development. Freelance sommeliers in the UK work for private households managing their cellars, restaurants developing wine lists, corporations running client entertainment, and private individuals hosting wine tasting evenings. UK sommeliers typically hold qualifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS), the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET Level 4 Diploma or Master of Wine), or the Institute of Masters of Wine. These qualifications carry significant weight in the marketplace and justify premium rates. Invoices should clearly describe the consulting service provided, any wine procurement on behalf of the client, and any hospitality or event management fees.
| Service | Typical Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Private wine tasting event (hosting, up to 10 guests, 2 hours) | 400 | event |
| Cellar management visit (quarterly) | 250 | visit |
| Restaurant wine list development | 1200 | project |
| Corporate wine event (half day) | 800 | half-day |
| Wine procurement consultation (hourly) | 120 | hour |
| Wine pairing menu consultation (per menu) | 300 | menu |
| Staff wine training (per session) | 350 | session |
Sommeliers should invoice promptly after each engagement. For ongoing cellar management clients, set up quarterly invoicing covering all visits and advisory work in the period. For wine procurement on behalf of clients, always invoice at the actual cost paid (with receipts) plus any agreed handling or sourcing mark-up — typically 10–15% for specialist procurement. Never hide mark-ups or bundle them into your consulting fee without disclosure. For restaurant or hospitality consulting projects, define the scope clearly and consider milestone billing: an initial payment on project commencement, a midpoint payment, and the balance on delivery of the completed wine programme.