ABOUT

An 8th generation Charlotte native, Conrad Hunter spent the better part of the 80s and 90s as a professional touring musician and recording studio owner. His serious love of wine began inn 1988 as a byproduct when helping a friend open Charlotte’s first open kitchen brasserie, The Artist’s Cafe. Growing disillusioned with the collapse of the music industry in the late 90s Hunter sold his studio and launched a new career in the wine business. His first Foxcroft Wine Co. opened in 2004 in the heart of Charlotte’s Foxcroft neighborhood. After 15 years, he’s still at it, leading the expansion of Foxcroft Wine Co. into multiple locations as well as it's sister business, the award-winning Dot Dot Dot, Charlotte’s classic cocktail lounge.

As a native of central Maine, Shawn studied Classics, Philosophy and French at Clark University as well as a year abroad in Dijon, France. Shawn has more than 15 years of experience in Food & Beverage management with 10 years in professional sommelier and beverage director positions in New York at Michelin starred restaurants. He is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers as well as holds a certification in Advanced Blind tasting from the American Sommelier Society.

As wine operations director at Foxcroft Wine Co, Shawn oversees purchasing, education and professional development.

Mary-Kate (MK) has a background as the one-woman
marketing department for diverse industries from textiles to pet care but has
found a home in hospitality with Foxcroft Wine Co & Dot Dot Dot Cocktail
Lounge. She works diligently behind the scenes for all locations and is quick
to brag about her talented, knowledgeable, and friendly co-workers. Since 2019,
she has played a central role in developing the Foxcroft brand and digital
presence. MK enjoys all her  fun and
diverse marketing projects including all things creative, social media, graphic
design, event marketing, community outreach and more - all while learning about
the world of wine, cocktails, and top notch cuisine. She’s grateful for a
career that feels more like a hobby and co-workers that feel more like friends.
During her free time, MK can be found kayaking on Lake Norman, creating
abstract gold leaf paintings, sipping wine on her front porch, and hanging out
with Walter, her golden retriever and personality doppelgänger. 

Amanda got her start in the restaurant industry as a pastry chef. After graduating from Johnson and Wales University and working in a kitchen she quickly learned that that was not the place for her. She spent the next 10 years managing restaurants and retail shops. Here she found her passion for wine and enjoys teaching others about the world of wine. On her off time she enjoys photography and going to hockey and football games. 

Keely has been in the hospitality industry for her entire working life. Her experience ranges from working in local restaurants, to corporate and boutique hotels and private country clubs. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University with a B.S. Degree in Hotel Management, Keely continued on to complete her certification with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET). Keely’s personal passions include activities such as hiking, biking, riding horses, and reading at eccentric coffee shops. She is originally from Washington State.