We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sean Fogarty. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sean below.

Sean, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

I would say the biggest challenge in the wine industry is big distribution companies trying to corner the market. I am a business of one and the wineries I represent are also businesses of one. Large distribution companies set prices that are inticing to wine buyers making it very difficult for truly low production small wineries to compete.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I run a sole proprietor wine brokerage here in San Diego. My schooling and background is in cancer research. While pursuing a career in research I also worked in restaurants to help pay the bills.

Eventually I was bit by the wine bug and fully became immersed in the restaurant industry. Which in turn lead me to a career in wine.

I started Fog Wine Co. The year before Covid. The first year was trying to convince wineries to partner up with me. Over the past 4 years I have grown into a business that supports responsibily farmed and produced low intervention micro wineries.

My mission is to help grow my brand and grow the brands I represent by partnering with like minded industry wine buyers.

We all should remember that the #supportsmallbusiness should mean also supporting small businesses like mine and those businesses I represent.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has been a combination of word of mouth and research.

Research meaning finding like minded businesses near and far who I think would be a good fit. And word of mouth being referrals from buyers who say…. “You know who would love your wines”…

Those are probably the two biggest avenues for new clients.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think my knowledge and straight forward approach when meeting and tasting with my clients has built my reputation good or bad.

I also like to say. Im not just trying to sell wine but rather I’m trying to build partnerships to foster growth for all parties involved.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @fogwineco