Sip, Share, and Build Community - An Interview with Nicole Kearney

Wine has always been about bringing people together, but for Nicole Kearney, founder and CEO of Sip & Share Wines, it is also a powerful tool for building community, creating conversations, and celebrating culture. Through her innovative approach to winemaking and storytelling, Nicole has carved out a unique space in the wine industry while inspiring others to pursue their passions unapologetically.

Interview with Nicole Kearney CEO & Founder of Sip & Share Wines

In this interview, Nicole shares the story behind Sip & Share Wines, the lessons she has learned as an entrepreneur, and her perspective on creating a more inclusive and welcoming wine community. Grab a glass and join us as we explore her journey.

Can you share the story behind why you decided to start your company?

I'm Nicole Kearney, Founder/CEO + Head Winemaker at Sip & Share Wines. I grew up learning to make wine with the elders in my family. I'm a military brat who lived and traveled through Europe, affording me the op’pour’tunity to taste wines and develop my palate for wines.

As a wine lover, I often found myself as the only or among the few Black people in the room. In graduate school, a fellow writer asked us to bring a wine and share why we chose it. This led me to question if there were any Black winemakers. I found 30 listed on Google. I spent 18 months traveling to Black wine festivals. I engaged with the winemakers and tasted their wines. It was an amazing experience. I also heard so many stories identical to mine, about the lack of awareness of Black winemakers.

This led me to start Sip & Share Wines, first as a business doing home and event wine tastings, introducing wine drinkers to Black, Brown and women produced wine. I always made red and white Sangria for my family and friends, started pouring these at events and they became a hit. After speaking with my business coach, we concluded the Sangrias were our highest revenue source. My coach asked me, "Why don't you open a winery? You'll still be supporting a Black, woman owned boutique winery.

I spent another 18 months making wines and traveling around the country to have wine drinkers taste them and provide feedback. In 2018, we pivoted to being a licensed winery. In January 2019, we launched our first seven wines based on the customer discovery feedback.

Sip & Share Wines was created out of the lack of visibility and awareness of Black and Brown consumers and winemakers in the wine industry. There are 11K wineries in the US. Less than 1% are Black-owned or have a Black winemaker and .01% of winemakers are Black women.

How do you think your background and identity have influenced the way you run your business in the alcohol industry?

Having been exposed to winemaking and drinking at an early age gave me an affinity for wines. I also saw the disparity about who and how wine was marketed. The lack of accessible and culturally aware information was lacking. This influenced the way I approach wine education by providing SipTips(tm) and crafting wines for Black and Brown palates to encourage them to explore wines. Sip & Share Wines is changing the narrative and face of wine lovers by connecting a community of underrepresented and overlooked wine drinkers while welcoming all to create a more equitable and inclusive wine industry.

What were your biggest challenges when you got started, and what is your biggest challenge right now?

When I started it was being a Black woman in a white, male dominated industry. No one took me seriously. I earned the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) level 2 wine education certification and produce quality wines. Currently, it's having our wines not dismissed because of my ethnicity and gender.

What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds who are interested in entering the alcohol production industry?

Learn the laws, rules and regulations of your state regarding alcohol. Join organizations to learn and assist you on your journey. Reach out to others to get guidance and mentorship.

What inspires you to keep going when things get hard?

Recently another entrepreneur, Bailey said to me, "We prayed for this." This is my mantra now.

Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you or your company?

Sip & Share Wines is the only Black woman owned vegan winery in the US. We produce our wines with CA grapes/juice and do all the production in Indianapolis, IN. Our wines are available in Brooklyn and Rochester, NY; Maryland, Atlanta Metro areas, Indianapolis and Gary, Indiana and Chicago, IL.

Available at festivals, events and online at sipandsharewines.com.

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Nicole Kearney's journey is a reminder that the wine industry thrives when new voices, fresh perspectives, and authentic stories are welcomed to the table. Through Sip & Share Wines, she has created more than a brand. She has built a platform for connection, conversation, and community. Her passion for making wine approachable and meaningful shines through in everything she does, and her commitment to opening doors for others continues to make a lasting impact.

We are grateful to Nicole for sharing her story, insights, and vision with us, and we look forward to watching Sip & Share Wines continue to grow and inspire wine lovers everywhere.

Cheers to community, courage, and craft that makes a difference. ✨

Because Diversity is the taste of life®!

Remember to enjoy responsibly.