Building Wine Culture Club & The Purpose Behind It

Wine Culture Club started with two questions. Who is wine for? And where do we, as people of culture in its culture?

There Was a Time I Felt I Didn’t Belong

During my time at the Institute of Culinary Education, I made some efforts to immerse myself in the wine industry and connect with people in the business. It didn’t take long for me to realize that, who I am at my core, doesn’t quite fit in. And that is ok.

I spent many years in corporate America trying to fit the mold, interest, and communication style of my former colleagues. But in this chapter of my life, I’m choosing to enter this new territory firmly rooted in who I am, and I’ll do it my way.

My First Attempt Was a Flop

This isn't my first attempt at Wine Culture Club. I launched it once before in 2020. I had the idea to start with a merch line tailored to people of culture. "Black Girls Love Wine." "Sommelier & Slay." "Chardonnay & Chill." I sold a few items, but over time, it fizzled out. It didn't feel right, and honestly, I wasn't ready. There was a lot more to learn and experience.

So I went back to the drawing board. I knew that if I was going to build a wine subscription service, I had to do a few things first. I had to get educated and comfortable talking about wine. I had to introduce myself as a sommelier. I had to demonstrate my expertise.

When I finished my sommelier training, I didn't immediately launch a business. I started small, in the most personal way I knew how.

I started with my friends, in my kitchen.

It All Started at My Kitchen Counter

I invited three of my girlfriends over for a guided wine tasting. That night became the inaugural Wine Wednesday with Jess. Within a couple of months, I'd hosted dozens of friends and colleagues in my home. We'd taste wines from different countries, talk through the notes, and I'd share what I call the "brass tacks of wine."

As Wine Wednesday with Jess grew, I was presented with an opportunity to host wine tastings at Dumbo House. In a meeting with the events manager, I was asked a question. How do we get people to stay after the tasting?

My answer was simple. Live R&B.

Wine & R&B Wednesday was born. Since then, we've been blessed to have incredible artists participate including Case, Jon B., Elle Varner, Alex Tyree, Sebastian Mikael, and more.

But while we've been building community through events, the hard work has been happening behind the scenes to make Wine Culture Club a reality as a business.

Now, We Are Building Something Bigger

We're launching a national wine subscription service this year and continuing to bring experiences that pair wine education with live entertainment through new partnerships and in new cities.

There is so much on the horizon for the Wine Culture Club, and I would love for you to be a part of the journey.

So, join the club, and let’s build this together.

XO,

Jess