Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Marcoux.
Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in Sonoma County, I had no idea that my life was going to revolve around wine. Our big weekend out was getting a keg of cheap beer and going down to hang by the Russian River. It’s funny how naive you are growing up. The future was, at least to me, is my crush going to be at the party this weekend and what am I going to wear. This is years before Social Media and the goods and bads that go along with the pressure if it all. We were just kids, trying not to get caught by our parents sneaking a beer. Then I bid farewell to Sonoma County and moved south to SDSU for college. I knew there was a beach nearby and that sounded great. I didn’t realize at the time that San Diego was my future. After I graduated with a business degree I was fortunate to travel the world for a year. I was immersed into different cultures from South East Asia, but it was when I landed in South Africa to visit friends I really was drawn to wine and all the work that goes into making it. I didn’t realize that you could make a living working with wine until I visited some wineries (I was finally 21) and got to see how much work went into making one bottle of wine. It’s not just fermented grape juice to get a buzz, it’s a business rich in family history and hard work.
After visiting more wineries in Europe, I decided I would go back home to get a job in the wine industry. I was fortunate enough to land a job at one of the most prestigious wineries in Napa, Del Dotto, and the rest is history. I helped with every aspect of wine, making it selling it, events and more until I was able to open a wine bar in downtown Napa wit some great partners. After an exhilarating few years I relocated to San Diego to be close to my sister, who had originally followed me down here from Chico State and never left.
I then immersed myself into the local wine scene joining tasting groups and passing my Certified Sommelier exam and WSET Level III with Lindsay Pomeroy of Wine Smarties (highly recommended).
Now I have a job selling over 2000 wines from the best wineries all over the world to all of my favorite restaurants in town. To say it’s a dream job, would be spot on.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Sales is always a challenge, the competition is fierce, and it’s even harder when they are your friends! Covid was an obvious hurdle with restaurants being closed, and I have had the pleasure of raising a 2 and 3 year old which really keeps me on my toes.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am in wine sales working for a distributor based in Napa, Chambers & Chambers. I host dinners and lunched with winemakers from all over the world to educate and share these wines with the top wine buyers here in SD to help get these great wines on lists for you to enjoy.
I’ve won Rookie of the Year my first year and just recently Salesperson of the year.
I think what sets me apart from my competition is that I truly care about the guest, not just the sale. Having owned my own restaurant I know the markups and what makes sense to any given establishment. I want to make sure they are getting the right wine that will help their bottom line and impress their guest. Making a successful wine list is extremely challenging and I want to bet there to support and will even suggest competitors wines if I know they will be the right fit. You have to establish trust and relationships to be successful at this job.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Life is about taking risks, if you are just complacent, you’re not living. The risks I take aren’t going to change the world, but they will change my world. You have to take the trip, ask for the sale, walk into the new establishment and make sure you visible.
