For Danielle Nottingham, transitioning from the spotlight to owning a stake in the effervescent world of fine wines was as celebratory as popping a bottle of champagne. The former NBC California Live anchor launched NFINITY Cellars wine label with her colleague Malou Nubla a few years ago, widening the ranks of women-owned spirits.
“Wine Enthusiast” reports that the wine industry as a whole remains profitable, particularly with premium wine costing upwards of $15, right in NFINITY Cellars’s price sweet spot. Although NFINITY Cellars has attracted some raves and awards, the women compete in a male-dominated industry.
Of the more than 42,000 wineries in California, approximately 14% of them reported a woman as their lead winemaker in a 2020 study. That’s an increase from 10% reported in a 2011 study. Both the 2011 and 2020 studies are posted on womenwinemakers.com
Although Black representation is much lower, Black women are taking a leap of faith to enter the world of spirits.
“Black wine companies make up less than one percent of the industry in this country, and even a smaller amount of that one percent are Black women,” said Leslie Jones, owner of 1010 Wine and Events. “The goal of our space is to feature them and help these brands grow their businesses.”
Nottingham embraced this challenge with optimism.
“You don’t see people who look like me or Malou in the wine industry. We’re all about blazing a trail,” said Nottingham.
Black celebrities are also getting into the spirits business. Recently, celebrated actress Taraji P. Henson collaborated with Terlato Wine Group’s Seven Daughters brand as a strategic adviser and creative collaborator.
The days of women preferring the “Sex and the City” Cosmo are in the past. While cocktail trends may shift, one constant remains: women and wine. Whether it’s happy hour or a bridal shower, wines have stood to stand the test of time. Moreover, market research demonstrates that women prioritize the aesthetics of wine bottles just as much as the taste. This insight will eventually drive more companies to embrace women as key decision-makers in the industry.
“We’re super passionate about,” said Nubla in an interview posted on their brand website, www.NFINITY Cellars.com. “People are surprised that two women are doing this, and we want to change their perception,” said Nottingham.
A veteran journalist, Nottingham has crisscrossed the U.S. and the world covering major events from Hollywood red carpets to the death of Nelson Mandela in South Africa and Barack Obama’s run for a second term as president.
“I am a TV girl,” she said. “I started at a local broadcast. I eventually ended up at CBS in DC. I left to start California Live, a lifestyle show on NBC, and that’s where I met Malou. …But wine always leaves you with a story to tell and NFINITY is the next chapter.”
Their first wine was a 2021 Chardonnay from Livermore Valley. “ We actually bottled and labeled every single one of those bottles like a Laverne and Shirley assembly line.”
NFINITY has a selection of about a half-dozen wine flavors. Three of their award-winning wines are NFINITY Brut, NFINITY Sparkling Rosé, and NFINITY Chardonnay 2022. The ladies recently hosted a tasting at Restaurant 1010 in Inglewood.
“I enjoyed the Sparkling Rose,” said LaLa, a diner at 1010 Wine and Events. “It also helps knowing that a Black woman owns the label.”
