A 21-year-old from East Yorkshire is encouraging more people across the region to consider a career in wine, after becoming a sales manager at one of the UK’s biggest drinks companies.
Growing up, Joe Rook, from Pocklington, felt like university was seen as the only route to success and he originally applied to become a paramedic but took a gap year after being turned down. It was then that he spotted a sales apprenticeship at Molson Coors while looking through job sites.
“I saw it came with a company car and thought, why not? I sent in my CV without thinking much of it. I was 18 and didn’t know anything about wine, but to my surprise, I got the job!” he said.
“I became the company’s first ever Wine and Spirits Sales Apprentice and over the next 18 months, I worked with national clients like Center Parcs and completed industry qualifications. Within a year, I was helping deliver wine tastings and training sessions.”
Joe said that he now works across the North of England “helping pubs, restaurants and hospitality venues build wine menus, train staff and grow their sales”.
He added: “I love that every day is different. Wine can feel intimidating if you’ve never worked with it before, but once you break it down, it’s all about people and storytelling.”
Calling his role a “dream job”, Joe asserted: “You don’t need to go to university to find a job you love.” He said that if you’re curious and open to learning, that’s all you need to get started.
Taking on his new role has shown Joe that there are “so many different routes into the wine world, whether through apprenticeships, retail experience, or just showing a genuine interest”.
He encouraged anyone keen to pursue a career in wine to “go to tastings, speak to people in the sector and ask questions”. Joe said: “Most people in wine want to share what they know. If you’re willing to learn, you’ll go far.”