A Sip of Resistance, A Bottle of Vision

It started with a simple question from a friend: “Have you ever made sangria?” At the time, I had not—and sangria was not even my drink of choice. But I understood its magic: the way it brings people together, blends flavors and cultures, and sparks joy at a gathering.

That question lit something in me. In my kitchen, I poured passion into a pitcher—fruit, wine, and a dream mingling in harmony. What I created was more than good; it was exceptional. I shared it with friends, and their reactions were more than encouraging. They were inspired.

Their support planted the seed that maybe this could become something real. That was the beginning of a long and deeply personal journey. Today, I am the proud founder of ChulaVie, an award-winning, Black woman-owned premium sangria brand born from curiosity, nurtured with grit, and fueled by purpose.

Starting from zero in a complex industry

When I stepped into the world of alcohol production, I had no formal background, no industry contacts, no mentors, and no roadmap. I had an idea, a flavor people loved, and an unwavering belief in its potential.

The alcohol industry is not designed for outsiders. It is wrapped in complex regulations and defined by insider relationships. Licensing alone became a year-long pursuit, with federal, state, and local agencies presenting hurdles that often felt impossible to clear.

But I did not give up. I self-educated, researched tirelessly, asked questions, and learned through trial and error. I figured out how to register my business, obtain the necessary permits, and source ingredients that would stay true to my vision.

This was never just about launching a beverage. It was about breaking into a space that rarely makes room for fresh voices—especially voices like mine. What I built did not come from privilege. It came from persistence.

From real fruit to shelf-stable flavor

In its earliest days, ChulaVie was handcrafted in my kitchen with fresh-squeezed juice and fruit slices dancing in every pitcher. I leaned into nature’s simplicity, layering bold red wine with citrus and berries and building flavor the way an artist builds a masterpiece.

But scaling love into logistics is no easy task. As I moved into commercial production, I faced a major roadblock: real fruit cannot be used in shelf-stable alcohol products. I had to recreate that same vibrant flavor without compromising quality.

It took months of experimenting—testing natural extracts, adjusting ratios, and chasing the signature flavor I knew people loved. Slowly, it came together.

The result is a premium sangria infused with natural fruit essence, offering a taste and aroma people instantly recognize as authentic. When someone takes a sip and says, “This tastes like real fruit,” I smile—because the experience is built to feel that way from the first pour. ChulaVie releases a rich, fruity aroma the moment the bottle is opened: a sensory experience crafted with intention and a fresh, flavorful alternative in a market saturated with artificial sweetness and fruit juices.

Breaking through a rigid industry

Taking ChulaVie from concept to shelf meant confronting an industry built on tradition, relationships, and resistance to change. I quickly learned that innovation alone is not enough. You need access—and in alcohol, access is everything.

Distributors and retailers often operate on familiarity over merit. I pitched a unique, premium sangria—customer-loved and flavor-forward—only to hear the same refrain: “Sangria doesn’t sell.” Or worse: “We already have one.”

What many in the industry fail to understand is that ChulaVie is not like other sangrias. It is not overly sweet or flat. It is layered, intentional, and crafted for the modern palate. Consumers are ready for better, but the industry is not always listening.

Legacy thinking can dominate. Retailers stick to what they know. Distributors guard long-standing relationships. Sangria is too often relegated to the seasonal or value bin. But while gatekeepers hesitate, customers celebrate—and that is all the validation I need.

A sip of validation

Every founder dreams of the moment when hard work is recognized. For me, it came with a silver medal.

In 2025, I entered ChulaVie into the American Sangria Challenge—our very first competition. With hope and confidence in the product, I submitted it to be judged among established brands.

ChulaVie earned a Silver Medal, scoring 88 out of 100 points. The honor was immense. In a contest filled with legacy brands and experienced producers, a self-made, Black woman-owned sangria stood out.

That award is more than a win. It is a statement: a testament to the flavor, the craft, and the story behind every bottle. It validated not just the product, but the passion behind it.

Being a Black woman-owned brand in alcohol

In an industry dominated by legacy, privilege, and predominantly male voices, creating a brand as a Black woman is more than entrepreneurship—it is activism.

Less than one percent of U.S. alcohol brands are Black-owned, and only a fraction of those are Black woman-owned. Those numbers speak to deeply rooted barriers I face every day. I walk into rooms where no one looks like me. I pitch a product that challenges expectations. And I do so knowing that excellence alone may not be enough.

But I do not shy away from that challenge. I rise to it. Every shelf placement, every customer win, and every bottle sold is more than business—it is cultural progress. ChulaVie is proof that inclusion and innovation are not mutually exclusive. This brand is not an outlier; it is part of a movement.

A legacy in the making

Legacy is not something you inherit. It is something you build.

From a spark in my kitchen to store shelves and national recognition, ChulaVie has grown into a brand that blends heritage, heart, and high standards. Being featured on the streaming series Legacy Makers is more than an opportunity; it is a celebration and a masterclass that highlights not only where I have been, but where ChulaVie is headed.

This is a legacy in the making—crafted with care, built for impact, and designed to uplift.

Vision for the future

The future of ChulaVie is clear: bold growth, elevated experiences, and a permanent place on shelves across the country. I see ChulaVie in more homes, more stores, and more glasses. I envision collaborations with like-minded partners who believe in innovation, cultural relevance, and quality.

I am actively seeking distributors, retailers, event partners, and brand collaborators who see value in redefining what premium sangria can be. This is an invitation to create something extraordinary together.

ChulaVie is more than a beverage. It is a story, a symbol, and a celebration of what is possible when vision meets resilience. Here is to bold beginnings and brighter futures.