Urban Coast Wines is looking for a part-time Chicago Market Ambassador to help open select on-premise and retail accounts in the Chicago market.

Urban Coast Wines is a new wine label made exclusively for Chicago. The brand is locally-owned and rooted in authentic, traceable story for Chicago consumers being grown/produced on just up Lake Michigan on the Leelanau Peninsula. A portion of profits are donated to Great Lakes conservation.

This is not a high-volume territory role. We are looking for a connected, self-directed wine professional who can help us build a focused group of high-fit Chicago placements, then transition opened accounts to the brand for long-term service and reorders.

The initial goal is to grow Urban Coast to approximately 10 quality Chicago placements.

About Urban Coast Wines

Urban Coast Wines is a small, growing Chicago wine label inspired by the city and shaped by the lake. Our wines are produced on the Leelanau Peninsula and positioned for approachable, premium placements across Chicago’s restaurant, retail, private club, boating, event, and hospitality communities.

Current wines include stainless Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, off-dry Red. The brand is built for accounts looking for something that's bespoke for Chicago but serious and credible in the glass.

Key Responsibilities

–Develop a focused target list of Chicago on-premise and retail accounts in collaboration with brand.
–Open new account conversations with restaurants, wine bars, independent retailers, private clubs, hotels, event venues, and hospitality groups.
–Present the Urban Coast story and wines professionally to buyers.
–Secure opening orders from qualified accounts.
–Provide weekly updates on outreach, meetings, opportunities, objections, placements, and market feedback.
–Follow-up with accounts for reorders during project term
–Transition opened accounts to the brand for ongoing relationship management, reorders, and long-term account service.

Ideal Candidate

–The ideal candidate has existing relationships with Chicago wine buyers, restaurant operators, sommeliers, beverage directors, independent retailers, private clubs, or hospitality decision-makers.
–You may be a current or former distributor representative, independent wine broker, restaurant wine buyer, sommelier, beverage consultant, hospitality professional, or freelance sales professional with strong Chicago trade relationships.

Qualifications

–Existing Chicago on-premise and/or retail wine relationships strongly preferred.
–Experience selling, buying, presenting, or representing wine in a professional setting.
–Comfortable working independently with light but consistent management.
–Strong follow-up and clear communication.
–Ability to represent a small brand with professionalism and good judgment.
–Understanding of wholesale wine pricing, margins, and account expectations.
–Reliable transportation for buyer meetings and sample drops.
–Ability to lift and transport wine samples as needed.
–Must be 21+.

Compensation:

This is a 1099 independent contractor role structured as an initial 90-day Chicago market launch project.

Compensation includes:

–Monthly project retainer.
–New account placement bonus for qualified opened accounts.
–Commission on net wholesale sales for opening orders and agreed follow-on orders during the project window.
–Approved business expenses reimbursed, including samples, parking, and mileage when pre-approved.

How to Apply

Please send a brief introduction with:

–Your wine, hospitality, or beverage sales experience.
–Your connection to the Chicago on-premise and/or retail market.
–Examples of account types or neighborhoods where you have buyer relationships.
–Any current or recent wine, spirits, beer, or hospitality brands you represent or have represented.
–Why Urban Coast Wines would be a good fit for your network.