I’ve spent many days selling wine in the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s my favorite wine-selling city. It’s close to home and has an unmatched array of outstanding restaurants, independent grocers, wine bars, cafes, hotels and retailers. Ownership is equally diverse with many multi-national and ethnic influences well represented throughout the city. Its proximity to Sonoma makes the area almost wine savvy by default. San Francisco is a world-class food and wine town in my backyard.

Still, not every pitch results in a sale. It’s competitive out there and you just try to get your fair share of business. If sales rejection bothers you – avoid a career in sales. A good salesman is like a good fisherman – eternally hopeful even when skunked that day. There’s always tomorrow and another spot to prospect.