Uncorking Purpose - A Conversation with Chrishon Lampley of Love Cork Screw

Great wine has the power to bring people together, spark conversations, and create lasting memories. For Chrishon Lampley, founder and CEO of Love Cork Screw, wine is also a vehicle for making a positive impact. What began as a passion for creating approachable, expressive wines has grown into a brand that celebrates joy, community, and giving back.

Interview with Chrishon Lampley CEO & Founder of Love Cork Screw

In this interview, Chrishon shares the inspiration behind Love Cork Screw, her journey as an entrepreneur, and the lessons she's learned while building a brand that stands out in the wine industry. From breaking barriers to staying true to her vision, her story is one of resilience, creativity, and purpose.

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

When a freak flood destroyed my Chicago art and wine bar, I knew I wanted to create something else. I was working in wine sales and distribution at the time and I noticed my friends and customers would still reach out to me asking the sorts of things we'd talk about in the wine bar: "I'm going to this cool restaurant, which wine should I order off the list?" "I'm going to a party, what bottle should I bring?"

So I started a blog called Love Cork Screw about wine and things going on around town. It was a way to stay connected to my customers when I couldn't see them at the gallery anymore. The blog kept growing organically from there. Seeing that people really listened to me and trusted me inspired me to launch my own line of Love Cork Screw wines geared towards the everyday wine drinker in my audience. I wanted my wine to be fun, approachable and relatable.

We launched with six varietals in December 2013. We now sell tens of thousands of bottles in 17 states across the US, and we also expanded the brand to include wine-scented candles, a home-goods line and started a wine and spirits festival to use my platform to champion other underrepresented people in the industry — all of which has allowed me to quit my job and go all in on this business.

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

My background in wine sales and distribution was extremely eye opening to me. It quickly became clear to me that I was a minority in this industry. As a Black woman, I make up a part of only 1% of brands in the wine industry. The wine business is one of the oldest in history meaning ownership, production, and marketing of wine is generally kept traditional, and for this reason, we don’t see a lot of fresh perspectives and new initiatives.

When I started this brand I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to welcome new perspectives, new voices and new demographics despite preconceived notions that there’s no space for us. That’s why our company mission is to embrace and empower diversity and inclusion in this industry and we do this from the inside out. We have an extremely diverse team, we created an entire event dedicated to showcasing wine & spirits brands owned and operated by POC and are consistently participating in mentoring, promoting and advocating for inclusivity in this industry. My hope is that one day inclusivity will be the norm and I will continue to use my platform to pursue this mission.

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

When I first started Love Cork Screw, I faced numerous challenges. Breaking into the competitive alcohol industry as a minority and making a name for myself took a lot of resilience. To this day, finding the funding I need to see the growth I want to see and know I can see has been an uphill battle.

I have seen, heard, and watched it go down with companies that have much less than I do - less ability, less experience, and definitely less shelf space - that got a huge injection of money with no problem. I feel that the stigma for a minority business, specifically Black-owned, is we're not ready. It’s challenging to constantly have to prove yourself to others. I know I’m ready and I know I’m capable of big things, because we already have accomplished big things. With the right funding, the sky’s the limit for Love Cork Screw.

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

To aspiring entrepreneurs, my advice would be to stay true to your unique identity, even if it’s not widely accepted. Leverage your perspectives to differentiate your brand, seek mentorship, network within the industry, and be open to continuously learn and adapt.

What inspires you to keep going when things get hard?

When faced with challenges, my passion and commitment to breaking barriers as a Black entrepreneur inspires me to persevere. My resilience, creativity, and unwavering drive to succeed keep me motivated during tough times. I remind myself how far I’ve come and although there have been ups and downs, I’m so proud of how far I’ve come and my excitement to see where I’ll go will always keep me going.

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

Love Cork Screw is proud to be Black-owned and woman-owned but we’re equally as proud of our award-winning selection of wines. It was important to me to create wine that is easy to enjoy for everyone. To me, that means bottles that look fun, approachable and use everyday language so people of all levels can understand them and know what they’re getting. I wanted our wine to taste delicious while also maintaining a high level of transparency, quality and accessible price point.

Shop Love Cork Screw wines - https://www.lovecorkscrew.com/

Find Love Cork Screw in a store near you - https://www.lovecorkscrew.com/store-locations/

---

Chrishon Lampley's journey demonstrates that a successful wine brand can be about much more than what's in the bottle. Through Love Cork Screw, she has created a business that embraces authenticity, encourages connection, and gives back to the communities it serves. Her passion for making wine welcoming and accessible continues to inspire wine lovers and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.

We're grateful to Chrishon for taking the time to share her experiences, insights, and vision with the HopScotch & Grape community. We can't wait to see what the future holds for Love Cork Screw.

Cheers to following your passion, embracing your purpose, and never being afraid to do things differently. 🍷

Because Diversity is the taste of life®!

Remember to enjoy responsibly.