Wondry Cocktail Wines: A Part of The 1%

May 25th is National Wine Day. Wine is a drink that has been a part of our culture for thousands of years. In recent years we’ve seen new and exciting growth within the industry. Even with all of the industry changes in 2022 there are still less than 1% of Black winemakers in the industry. That’s one of the things that make Chaz and Whitney Gates so unique. Them and their brand Wondry are a part of that number.

At WONDRY® they believe great-tasting wine should be enjoyed by all. But they know that far too often, curious wine consumers are met by a stifling sense of pretentiousness. We had the opportunity to ask this amazing couple a few questions about their wins and the future of this history-making brand.

What advice would you have for those who want to be a part of an industry that isn’t welcoming?

Go for it and bring your own unique twist to the industry! With a great product, you can expand the pool of consumers and ultimately drown out the noise from the skeptics and naysayers. We launched Wondry without knowing for sure that consumers would appreciate our product. However, what we learned is that not only do people gravitate to a great product, but they buy into a great story. So, although we started this journey alone, our product and story have created a legion of winos who have our backs and breathe life into our young company every day.

What has your greatest moment been?

Our greatest moment was honestly getting into retail distribution at Target and Total Wine. We started Wondry as a direct-to-consumer online business and the initial online response was great! However, there is nothing like being in retail and getting a chance to meet consumers face to face to get their immediate feedback. Moreover, as a young black couple with modest upbringings, seeing your product with your face on the shelves of a major retailer, (talk about a confidence booster!), is indescribable and we count our blessings every single day!

What are your future goals for Wondry?

Our future goal is for Wondry to become a household name across the country. There are so many brands that are synonymous with American culture and American Dream (e.g. Coca Cola, McDonalds, Jack Daniels, etc.). However, not many of those iconic brands reflect the diversity of America. Building a brand or product that is well known across the country, with owners that just happen to be black, would be a powerful and “All American” statement that we plan to deliver…hopefully sooner rather than later!