Executive Assistant to CEO / Domenic Palumbo

Down The Rabbit Hole Wines, McLaren Vale. Full time.

About the role

We're looking for someone special to work alongside Domenic, our Founder and CEO, and become an important part of Down The Rabbit Hole.

DTRH is a family-owned wine and hospitality business, and there's always a lot going on: the restaurant, cellar door, wine, events, marketing, people, technology, numbers, new ideas and projects.

The job itself is simple. Give Domenic time back. When something lands on his desk, you work out what needs to happen, take it on and get it done. "Leave it with me" should come naturally to you.

What you'll be doing

Most of your time will be spent with Domenic, but you'll help right across the business:

• Looking after Domenic's diary, emails, meetings, follow-ups and documents
• Supporting our Venue Manager with venue admin, events, rosters and suppliers
• Jumping in at the cellar door when we're busy or short
• Helping with the new projects and businesses we're building
• Personal and family admin when it's needed

Who you are

Above all, a great human. Warm, kind, grounded and compassionate, but also sharp, capable and very organised.

• You have a good business brain and a strong work ethic
• You notice things, think ahead and follow through without needing to be chased
• People like having you around, and you build real relationships with the team
• You're as comfortable sitting down with our accountant or a supplier as you are having a laugh with the kitchen or helping out on the floor
• No ego. "That's not my job" isn't in your vocabulary

There isn't much hierarchy here. Everyone pitches in.

Trust

This role sits close to both our business and our family. You'll see financials, business plans, team matters and personal matters, so trust and discretion aren't negotiable. What's private stays private, and there's no room for gossip.

We also want someone the whole team trusts, respects and enjoys working with.

What you'll bring

You don't need to be an expert in all of these, but you should be strong in most and keen to learn the rest:

• Administration and organisation: diaries, emails, meetings, documents and priorities
• Writing: turning a rough thought or voice note into something clear, warm and polished
• Business and finance: budgets, costs, margins, quotes and pricing, and what decisions mean for the business
• Wine and hospitality experience, and an understanding of what makes a great guest experience
• Venue experience, enough to support our Venue Manager with the admin and organisation behind a venue
• Marketing across digital, social, email, website, content and customer databases
• Design: confident in Canva, with a good eye for what feels right for DTRH
• Technology: picking up new systems quickly and using tech, AI and automation to make things simpler
• Events, from small dinners to large experiences
• Project management: taking an idea and seeing it through
• Good judgement about what you can handle, what to hand off and what needs Domenic

How you work

• You're proactive and always looking for a better way to do things
• With ten things going on, you can work out the two that matter right now
• You care about the details: how something looks, how an email reads, how a guest is treated and whether we did what we said we would
• You'll respectfully push back when you think there's a better way
• You bring the same care to a big business decision as you do to the small jobs

We love good food, great wine and quality produce. If you do too, you'll feel right at home.

The practical bits

• Full time, based on site in McLaren Vale
• Reporting to Domenic and working closely with our Venue Manager
• Hospitality doesn't keep office hours. You won't be working seven days straight, but you'll need to be reachable on weekends when it counts. We'll agree a rhythm together
• Happy to help on the floor when we're busy or short, including weekends and peak events
• Current RSA and a full driver's licence

What success looks like

Over time you'll get to know the business, the team, the brand and how Domenic thinks. You'll spot problems before they happen and know what needs his attention and what doesn't.

Things will move faster, get finished and stop falling through the cracks. And Domenic will have more time for the parts of DTRH where he makes the biggest difference.

We're a family business, and there's a lot of heart in what we've built. We're looking for someone who wants more than just another job. Someone who cares about what we're building and wants to help make it even better.

Apply via our application form

No cover letter needed. We're looking forward to getting to know you.

Domenic & the DTRH team

Full Time | Down The Rabbit Hole Wines | McLaren Vale

At Down The Rabbit Hole, we believe great hospitality is about more than beautiful wine, incredible food and outstanding service. It's about how we make people feel.

We're looking for an experienced Venue Supervisor who loves wine, food and hospitality and takes pride in creating exceptional experiences. Someone who can bring out the best in a team, notice the little things and make every guest feel welcome.

Our goal is simple: we want every guest to leave completely blown away by an incredible experience.

The Role

This is a full-time, hands-on leadership position across our wine tastings, Fiore restaurant, casual dining experiences and events.

Working closely with our Venue Manager, you'll lead service on the floor, support the team, maintain high standards and step in wherever needed to keep things running smoothly. You'll also help with guest enquiries by phone and email, reservations, stock management, online orders and general day-to-day administration.

The roster is likely to be Thursday to Monday, including Friday evening service. 

About You

You're warm, confident and calm under pressure. You enjoy working with people, take ownership and know how to create a positive environment for guests and colleagues alike.

You'll thrive here if you:

• Have proven experience supervising a busy hospitality venue

• Love great wine, food and hospitality, and enjoy sharing our wines with guests to support sales and wine club memberships

• Naturally love making people feel welcomed and happy

• Can coach and motivate a front-of-house team

• Have a sharp eye for service standards and the little details

• Can confidently manage busy shifts, solve problems and handle guest feedback

• Are organised, proactive and willing to jump in wherever needed

Previous hospitality leadership experience is essential. Wine knowledge is a bonus, and a willingness to learn is important.

What You'll Get

• A beautiful workplace with a close-knit, values-driven team

• The chance to work across wine tastings, restaurant and casual dining

• Support to grow your leadership, wine and hospitality knowledge

• A culture that values kindness, teamwork and doing things well

• Staff discounts, good tunes and a daily view that's hard to beat

If you love wine, food and hospitality and want to help create memorable experiences, we'd love to hear from you.

APPLY HERE

The Role

This is a casual position for 2-3 days a week (must be available for Saturday and Sunday shifts), with the opportunity to increase hours during our vibrant summer season. You will be responsible for delivering wine tasting experiences with a focus on customer connection and the expectation is that you are confident in sales. You'll be part of the action, bringing energy, calm, and care to each shift.

About you

You love wine and you’re someone who brings both heart and professionalism to everything you do. You’ve worked in wine tasting sales before, and you have a solid understanding of wine. 

You’ll thrive here if you:

• Have proven experience in wine
• Love sales
• Are passionate about wine, food, and genuine hospitality
• Results driven
• Lead by example and are calm under pressure 
• Take pride in the details, from service to presentation 
• Want to be part of something meaningful, not just clock in and out

What you'll get:

• A truly beautiful workplace, filled with warmth, connection, and purpose
• The chance to be part of a tight-knit, values-driven team that cares deeply about what they do
• Support, mentorship, and room to grow within a venue that’s always evolving
• A workplace culture that celebrates kindness, collaboration, and creativity
• Staff discounts, good tunes, and a daily view that’s hard to beat

If you believe in the magic of great wine and food shared with great people, we’d love to hear from you.

APPLY NOW

Casual | Down The Rabbit Hole Wines | McLaren Vale

Summer at Down The Rabbit Hole is something pretty special, and we’re looking for experienced hospitality people to join our team for the season.

We’re looking for warm, confident and experienced Food & Beverage Attendants who can work across all areas of our venue, from hosting wine tastings and sharing our wines, to restaurant service at Fiore and our relaxed casual dining experience.

Above all, we’re looking for people who genuinely love hospitality.

The kind of people who naturally smile. Who love meeting people. Who notice the little things. Who go out of their way to make someone’s day better, not because they’ve been told to, but because that’s simply who they are.

At Down The Rabbit Hole, our goal is simple: we want every guest to leave completely blown away by an incredible experience.

That takes incredible food, beautiful wine, outstanding service and an amazing setting, but more than anything, it takes great people.

The Role

This is a casual position for 2–3 days a week. You must be available to work Fridays (day and evening), Saturdays and Sundays, with the opportunity for additional hours throughout our vibrant peak summer season.

You’ll work across wine tastings and cellar door, Fiore restaurant, and our casual dining offering, so we’re looking for people who are confident moving between different styles of hospitality and service.

About You

You love hospitality. You’re warm, kind and naturally engaging, and you genuinely enjoy making people feel welcome and happy.

You bring both heart and professionalism to what you do and understand that truly great hospitality is often found in the little things.

You’ll thrive here if you:

• Have proven experience in professional food and beverage service
• Are passionate about wine, food and genuine hospitality
• Love meeting people and creating genuine connections
• Naturally notice the little things and go out of your way for guests
• Are confident working across different styles of hospitality and service
• Bring energy and personality while remaining professional
• Stay calm and positive when things get busy
• Take pride in the details, from service to presentation
• Want to be part of something meaningful, not just clock in and out

Wine knowledge is a bonus, but a warm personality, positive attitude and genuine passion for hospitality matter most to us.

Please only apply if you have previous hospitality food and beverage service experience. This is not an entry-level hospitality position.

What You’ll Get

• A truly beautiful workplace, filled with warmth, connection and purpose
• The opportunity to work across wine, restaurant and casual dining experiences
• The chance to be part of a close-knit, values-driven team that cares deeply about what they do
• Support, mentorship and the opportunity to grow your wine and hospitality knowledge
• A workplace culture that celebrates kindness, collaboration and creativity
• Staff discounts, good tunes and a daily view that’s hard to beat

If you believe in the magic of great wine and food shared with great people, we’d love to hear from you.

APPLY NOW

The Role

This is a casual position for 2-3 days a week (must be available for Saturday and Sunday shifts), with the opportunity to increase hours during our vibrant summer season. 

In this role, you’ll deliver exceptional food and beverage service while creating genuine connections with our guests. We’re seeking individuals who naturally enjoy making people feel welcome and happy through great hospitality. You’ll be right in the heart of the action, bringing energy, calm, and care to every shift.

About you

You love hospitality. You’re someone who brings both heart and professionalism to everything you do.  

You’ll thrive here if you:

• Are passionate about wine, food, and genuine hospitality
• Results driven
• Lead by example and are calm under pressure 
• Take pride in the details, from service to presentation 
• Want to be part of something meaningful, not just clock in and out

What you'll get:

• A truly beautiful workplace, filled with warmth, connection, and purpose
• The chance to be part of a tight-knit, values-driven team that cares deeply about what they do
• Support, mentorship, and room to grow within a venue that’s always evolving
• A workplace culture that celebrates kindness, collaboration, and creativity
• Staff discounts, good tunes, and a daily view that’s hard to beat

If you believe in the magic of great wine and food shared with great people, we’d love to hear from you.

APPLY NOW

Join Our Kitchen Team

Chefs | Pizza Chefs | Kitchen Hands

Full Time & Casual | Down The Rabbit Hole Wines | McLaren Vale

At Down The Rabbit Hole, we believe great hospitality is about more than beautiful wine, incredible food and outstanding service. It's about how we make people feel.

Food is a huge part of what we do, and we're looking for passionate people to join our growing kitchen team.

Whether you're an experienced Sous Chef, a talented Chef de Partie, a Pizza Chef who loves working with dough, or a Kitchen Hand looking to be part of a great team, we'd love to hear from you.

Our food is inspired by Italian traditions, celebrating beautiful seasonal ingredients, honest cooking and the simple pleasure of sharing great food around a table.

We're looking for people who take pride in what they do, love working with others and want to be part of something special.

Our Kitchen & Our People

Our kitchen is led by Head Chef Chris Bone, an exceptionally talented chef with years of experience creating outstanding food, leading successful kitchens and developing the chefs around him.

Chris is passionate about sharing his knowledge, mentoring his team and helping people become the very best at what they do. For anyone who genuinely wants to learn, develop their skills and grow as a chef, this is an incredible opportunity to work alongside someone with so much to offer.

Just as importantly, we're incredibly proud of the culture we've built.

Our kitchen is a place where people respect each other, work together and genuinely enjoy what they do. We believe exceptional food comes from a team that feels supported, valued and inspired.

No egos, no unnecessary pressure or negativity. Just good people, working hard together, having fun and creating outstanding food.

It's a kitchen built on respect, integrity and a shared commitment to doing things exceptionally well.

The Roles

We're currently recruiting for:

• Sous Chefs
• Chefs de Partie
• Pizza Chefs
• Kitchen Hands

We offer both restaurant and casual dining experiences, with a focus on quality ingredients, fresh pasta, handmade pizza and food that's made with love.

Depending on the position, full-time and casual opportunities are available, with weekend work required.

About You

You love food, have a strong work ethic and take pride in doing things properly.

You're organised, reliable and enjoy being part of a team that works hard, supports each other and has a good time along the way.

Most importantly, you're someone who wants to keep learning, improving and growing, no matter how much experience you already have.

You'll thrive here if you:

• Have experience in a professional kitchen (relevant to the position you're applying for)
• Have a genuine passion for great food and quality ingredients
• Are eager to learn, develop your skills and grow in your career
• Take pride in your preparation, presentation and attention to detail
• Work well under pressure and stay organised during busy services
• Value respect, teamwork and a positive kitchen culture
• Are clean, efficient and committed to high kitchen standards

Experience with Italian cooking, fresh pasta or hand-stretched pizza dough is a bonus, depending on the role.

What You'll Get

• A beautiful workplace in the heart of McLaren Vale
• The opportunity to work alongside and learn from an exceptionally talented Head Chef
• A genuinely supportive kitchen culture built on respect, integrity and teamwork
• The opportunity to work with quality, seasonal ingredients
• Real opportunities to learn, grow and develop your career
• A team of good people who take pride in creating outstanding food
• Staff discounts, good tunes and a daily view that's hard to beat

If you love food, want to keep growing and believe that great kitchens are built on great people, we'd love to hear from you.

Select the position you're interested in when completing your application.

APPLY HERE

Fiore at Down The Rabbit Hole Wines | McLaren Vale

Permanent Full-Time

Down The Rabbit Hole Wines is a family-owned winery and cellar door in McLaren Vale, and home to Fiore, our Italian restaurant, and our relaxed Casual Dining offering. We're one of the Fleurieu's most talked-about restaurants and cellar doors, and we're building something special here.

Our Kitchen

We cook with love, care and passion, and we want people to feel all the energy that has gone into the final plate. Our food is Italian with soul: produce-led, generous and grounded in tradition. Beautifully simple rather than showy, rustic at its heart and refined enough to be memorable.

We're a family business and we care a lot about what we're building. We want someone who feels the same way about their craft.

The Role

We're looking for a Sous Chef who loves cooking.

Someone who thinks about food outside of work. Who gets excited by beautiful produce, loves creating something delicious and still gets a kick out of watching people enjoy something they've cooked.

You'll work alongside our Head Chef as their right hand in the kitchen. You'll help lead service, support and develop the team, keep standards high, contribute to menus and ideas, look after prep, ordering, stock and food safety, and step up to lead the kitchen when needed.

Most importantly, you'll cook.

We want someone who leads by example, stays calm when things get busy, holds high standards without the ego and wants to contribute. You'll have experience as a Sous Chef, or be a strong Senior Chef de Partie ready to take the next step.

A Pretty Good Chef Lifestyle

We're predominantly a lunch venue, with just one regular night service on Friday. Weekends are an important part of hospitality in McLaren Vale, so you'll need to be committed to working them.

You'll Love This Role If You

• love food and cooking
• take pride in everything that leaves your kitchen
• are organised, reliable and calm under pressure
• enjoy teaching and supporting other chefs
• care about ingredients, seasonality and reducing waste
• love Italian food and simple food done exceptionally well
• want to contribute ideas rather than simply follow a menu
• want to be part of a close team and a family-owned business for the long term

One Important Thing

Please only apply if you already live in, or reasonably close to, McLaren Vale. We're looking for someone local who wants to build something with us for the long term.

If this sounds like the kind of kitchen you'd like to be part of, we'd love to hear from you.

APPLY NOW

Join One of Fleurieu’s Best Kitchens

We’re on the hunt for a passionate, skilled Chef de Partie ready to create exceptional food and grow with our team at Down the Rabbit Hole Wines in McLaren Vale.

Our kitchen celebrates wholesome, organic ingredients, offering both fine and casual dining. With glowing reviews and a rapidly growing reputation, this is your chance to be part of something special in its early years.

What We’re Looking For:

• A high level of culinary skill and creativity
• Passion for quality, nutritious food
• Strong work ethic and full availability across a 7-day roster
• Experience hand stretching pizza dough (a bonus!)
• A team player with great organisation and a growth mindset
• Clean, efficient, and excited to contribute positive energy

The Offer:

• Casual or full-time role (for the right fit)
• Only two night shifts: Thursday & Friday
• Weekends included
• Preferably local to McLaren Vale (not essential)

Ready to join a team, a culture, and a place that inspires you—and where you’ll leave your mark? Apply now. Start immediately, with a long-term vision.

APPLY NOW

While we don't have any specific roles currently available, we're always on the look out for incredible people. If you think you're the right fit for our place, we'd love to hear from you!

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST