Real Estate · Travel · Wine

Ingrid
Cheng

A career spent connecting people to things they'll genuinely love — through wine, real estate, and travel. Different industries, same instinct.

"I've never believed in formula. The most interesting work always lives in the nuance."

— Ingrid Cheng, MBA

What I do

Three ways to work together

Each practice is distinct. All three draw on the same core instinct — understanding what someone truly wants, and finding the exact thing that delivers it. Rarely the obvious answer. Always the right one.

Real Estate · San Francisco

I was the person who went to open houses in my neighborhood just because I loved the spaces — long before I became an agent. Now I help people find their nook in one of the world's most layered, livable cities. Whether you're buying your first home or reimagining what a space could become, I'm here to help you craft something that fits your life — not just your budget.

  • First-time San Francisco buyers
  • Design-forward & lifestyle properties
  • Creative paths to ownership — duplexes & income properties
  • Wine country & second homes
  • Relocation to the Bay Area

Travel · Fora Advisor

I've been planning dream itineraries — for myself, for friends, for the joy of it — my entire adult life. Now I do it for clients. I'm good at reading how much structure a trip needs and building exactly that: the restaurant you wouldn't have found, the producer who pours you something unreleased, the right amount of planned free time. Italy, France, Spain, Japan, and beyond.

  • Custom itineraries for independent & group travel
  • Wine region & culinary journeys
  • Art, culture & seasonal experiences
  • Safari, expedition & bucket-list travel
  • Weekend escapes built around exhibitions & events

Wine Marketing Consulting

I spent years managing $9M+ media budgets for some of the industry's most recognized names. What I bring to smaller and growth-stage brands is that same rigor — applied with the flexibility and creative hunger that only works at a more human scale. I don't apply a formula. I find the approach that actually fits.

  • Consumer insights & data-driven strategy
  • Paid media management & campaign execution
  • Brand narrative refinement & positioning
  • Social media & content strategy
  • DTC e-commerce strategy & launch
  • Fractional CMO retainers
Background

Wine credentials

WSET Diploma · Level 4 Certified Specialist of Wine WSET Sake Level 3

Education

MBA · Washington University in St. Louis, Olin Business School Grand Diploma · French Culinary Institute BA cum laude · History, Art History & Music · New York University

Philosophy

Curiosity is how
I stay sharp.

I have a love of learning and solving problems — and the two are inseparable for me. Whether I'm helping a buyer find their place in San Francisco, designing a trip, or building a media strategy for a wine brand, the work is always the same: understanding what someone needs, what they want, and where the right balance lives.

The options that don't quite fit don't get forgotten. They go into the knowledge base — held in reserve, ready for the moment the variables change. That's how expertise actually builds. And it's why the right answer, when you find it, tends to stay right.

20+
Years in wine & food
30+
Countries visited
3
Wine certifications
3
Degrees & diplomas
Let's connect

Ready to work
together?

Whether you're a wine or spirits brand looking for a marketing partner who actually knows the category, a buyer ready to find your place in San Francisco, or a traveler who wants someone to obsess over the details so you don't have to — I'd love to hear from you.

Message received.

I'll be in touch within 1–2 business days.

hello@ingridcheng.com