Daily Inspiration: Meet Tabitha Cole

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tabitha Cole.

Hi Tabitha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
She Wines is a story of two mompreneurs who, like many of us, juggle multiple roles between home, motherhood, career, social life, and maybe if there is a little time to squeeze in self-care. We would always get together from time to time over a good bottle of wine.

In 2019 the girls and I were out to dinner, and we ordered a bottle of Riesling. We spoke about the new year and how we would be more unapologetic with our self-care, dreams, and visions. Each person declares their goals into the atmosphere, then a toast to more Life- Living more fully. I then turned to Jennifer and said, “wouldn’t it be cool to start our own private wine company”? It would be based on sisterhood because I genuinely wouldn’t know where I’d be without my support system, My small circle of friends, just like most ladies. She responded, seriously, that actually would be cool.

We began researching not just wine but black-owned winemakers and vineyards. We soon discovered a much-underrepresented market of less than 1% compared to other winemakers of 68%. We didn’t let it deter us from developing our brand. I began calling wineries that worked with smaller vineyards, learning about local wine regions, talking to winemakers, and reading about state permits- licensing. We began traveling to different areas, such as Escondido, and Napa valley, learning and sourcing grapes. Ultimately we would discover the beautiful wine county of Paso Robles, Ca. We just fell in love with the area. The close community, friendly environment, great food, and delicious wines!!

We developed two vintages released in June 0f 2022 She Wines – ” She is Bold ” Limited edition 2019 Aged Merlot which was aged using 20% vanilla oak barrels.

Second is our ” She is Extraordinary” 2020 Organic Hibiscus Rosé Made using traditional Graneche grapes.

Two friends came together with an idea. (9 kids between us) We believe that She Wines will become a household name offering motivational curated experiences where women can connect, laugh, cry, learn, network, and support one another. We started She Wines at the end of 2019, and when 2020 came, the pandemic was devastating. Many people told me to wait. It wasn’t the right time. But I saw myself speaking to a crowd of ladies on stage in my dream. It was so realistic that I workup and took notes. And that is how I came up with the name SHE WINES.

Women are phenomenal, survivors, courageous, and timeless. Sometimes you need that reminder because we often care for others and feel guilty when it’s time for ourselves. I want to normalize sisterhood and self-care and motivate the next generation of winemakers.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I can say it hasn’t always been a very smooth road. Some challenges I’ve faced would be a lack of access to capital, barriers to networks, and resources in developing brand awareness to get our product to the right audience—store product placement. Social media growth due to alcohol blocking. I find ways to persevere against the odds I’m faced with.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
By day I’m a home-schooling mother of three children ages 9, 7, and 7 (twin Boys). During the evening, I’m working She Wines. I’m also a licensed Chef registered with riverside county MEHKO owner of “Tabbylicious Estery” located in Menifee, Ca. I’m currently only taking private chef inquiries allowing me to focus more on monetizing She Wines into a household name.

Any big plans?
The future is She. We have already begun sales in our new market as of February 1st in NYC, which I’m excited about., Are you ready New York? They say if you can make it in the big apple, you can make it anywhere! We have plans to produce more red wines under the She is Bold collection and a dessert wine under our She is Extraordinary collection- We are even looking to open up a tasting room in the near future. Sign up to our email list at she-wines to be informed of upcoming curated events and exciting announcements regarding newly released wines.

Pricing:

• 2019 aged Merlot $44
• 2020 Hibiscus Rosé $32

Contact Info:

• Website: www.she-wines.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/she.wines/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheWinesPasoRobles
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabitha-cole-81a014260/ 

Image Credits
Gabriel Allen Graves – Gabriel gaves studios
Kyle Meeks