Now Hiring! A Note from Larry
Hi Folks,
We’re getting ready for our 2026 season at Vino in the Valley — our 20th season! Can you believe it? Twenty years of sunsets, pizza ovens, laughter, live music, and unforgettable memories. And trust me… we’ve got big plans for a season-long celebration you won’t want to miss.
We officially kick things off on May 7th (Mother’s Day Weekend!). Mark your calendars now.
A huge part of making this milestone season incredible is building an awesome team to help us deliver the experience our guests have come to love. Some folks say hiring is tough right now. I hear that. But I also know that a job at Vino in the Valley isn’t like just any job, it’s a unique experience.
We see Vino as a place where you can work, grow, and have fun doing it. Over the years, we’ve mentored young people in their first jobs, welcomed college students home for the summer, given moms and dads flexible ways to earn extra income, and offered retirees a chance to stay active and social. There’s a place here for a lot of different seasons of life.
The #1 thing we look for? A positive attitude.
Next? Work ethic.
We can teach the rest. And there’s nothing better than watching team members grow in confidence, skill, and responsibility. The more you learn and advance, the more you’ll earn.
If you already have restaurant or foodservice experience, we value that. And if you’re ready for something new and exciting, we’d love the chance to meet you — we may even be able to match or beat what you’re currently earning.
Love being social? Our servers, hosts, bartenders, and table runners meet incredible guests from all over the region (and beyond). It’s fast-paced, fun, and full of great conversations.
Prefer behind the scenes? Our cooks, kitchen crew, and pizza makers are the heartbeat of the operation. Creating amazing food and mastering our signature Italian inspired dishes.
Flexibility matters. You can pick your hours each week and month. We work around vacations, school schedules, family events, and even other jobs. Work as much as you’d like, or just a few shifts a month.
And yes — employee discounts on food, beverages, and gift shop items are part of the deal. Not bad, right?
All of this happens in one of the most beautiful work environments around. Outdoor fresh air, sunshine, and million-dollar views of the valley.
If you (or someone you know) would like to be part of our 20th season celebration, head to our website and fill out the short pre-application form to get started. And please share this with friends, family, and neighbors; we would love to meet them.
Thank you for supporting Vino in the Valley for nearly two decades. We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone season with you.
See you soon,
Larry
The headlining musical act is Davey J (David Jones), the founder of the Rush River Folk Festival. Davey J (David Jones) is a well-loved veteran performer in Western Wisconsin’s Chippewa Valley, writing songs, leading bands, and performing live across our region for almost 25 years. Jen Hazen is Davey’s primary singing partner in the area, an energetic and experienced stage performer with Jenny and the Jets and Weapons of Brass Destruction, along with her great performances with Davey J. Songs will be featured from Davey’s most recent CD recording, 2020 Blue (2021), his hit CD Chippewa Love (2015), and other originals and well-known songs. Davey J and Jen Hazen give the crowd versatility and smooth, passionate delivery across the genres of folk, blues, rock, and reggae, driven by Davey J’s signature rhythmic style of acoustic-electric guitar.
At 3 pm, Garden Party will take the stage in their first appearance at Rush River. They are a trio who originally met as players in the Ukelele Club of Eau Claire, finding that their musical ties went deep. The members include Tom Lockhart on bass, Teresa Jolivette on ukulele, and Marjorie Cramer on guitar, with sweet harmonies blending with their tasteful acoustic sound. Folk, pop, and Americana are some of the genres you will hear in performances by this warm and polished acoustic combo. As a relatively new musical combo around the Eau Claire area, Garden Party is now well established as one of the most tuneful acts you will hear in the Chippewa Valley music scene.
At 5 pm, blues and folk performer Paul Lawrence joins the Rush River lineup for the first time. Lucas Fischer will provide melodic support on acoustic and electric guitar. Paul is a Minnesota-based singer/songwriter from Minnesota. He plays original folk-country-blues with versatility and depth of feeling. He is recognized across the region for the quality of his performances, as mentioned in the media coverage below of his sound: