For some, when you hear wine, you think of a male-dominated European industry. The liquor industry has historically been dominated by this demographic. However, one thing 2020 and beyond has taught us is that there is always room for evolution and new beginnings. Women and minorities are incredibly underrepresented in the business of wine and spirits and just 1% are owned by Black women. Coming into the game with a bang is Charlotte native, Camillya Masunda, the owner of Ebony Wine & Spirits. Having the opportunity to get insight into her venture is something Femi Magazine was quite grateful for.
What do you enjoy most about being able to run a black-owned wine company?
I love the fact that I am able to meet and inspire people. Wine is just the catalyst, it’s something I love and want other people to love it as well but my favorite part is seeing people inspired because they see a black woman who took a hobby and is making a name for herself in an industry that isn’t always marketed towards us.
We all know a nice glass of wine can make any mood a joyful one, which one is your favorite from the collection and why?
Our Kinshasa is my favorite! It is our summer variety. It is a bubbly wine with hints of pineapple and mango. It’s sweet enough for the novice wine drinker but also flavorful enough for someone with a more developed palate. Another reason why it is my favorite is that it represents my heritage. My family is from Congo and the capital city is Kinshasa, so this wine is a true representative of the beauty of Congo and its people.
Have you hosted any wine tastings lately?
We have done a number of live and digital tastings as well as festivals. We love attending events as a sponsor or vendor and introducing people to the wine. It’s great to see how people respond to not only how great the varieties taste but just seeing a black-owned wine company.
What has the support been like since you launched?
It has been amazing. I launched in September 2020, so I was a little worried about if people would even be in the space to receive a new wine brand. But it has blown us away. We have been sold out online, in our partner retail locations, and have noticed the same faces coming to us at festivals and vendor opportunities. We’re building an EBONY community around the nation and it’s a beautiful thing.
Do you offer any wines that are low in calories?
We are working on some low sugar/low-calorie options to make sure we are enjoyable for all demographics. Our Red Fusion wine has the lowest sugar content but also one of the higher alcohol percentages. So just stay tuned as we grow and we will be sure to make something for everyone.
Do you offer wines that have no alcohol?
Not at this moment, again we are focusing on wine that will be more appealing to the majority of drinkers at this time and also moving into the low sugar/low-calorie options. But again, we’re thinking of new ways to spread the brand every day so stay tuned.
What made you start your company and in what ways did you prepare yourself for a community that is often predominantly white-owned?
It was actually the fact that it was the majority of a white-owned community that made me start my business. I fell in love with wine during my college years, I would travel with friends and visit different wineries in different areas and would notice that none of the owner’s information cards or marketing materials have faces that looked like me! My friends and I were traveling from Johnson C Smith University (HBCU in Charlotte, NC) and didn’t see a person of color on ANY of the bottles that we were purchasing. I had to change that. There are less than 1% of POC who are owners in the wine industry. I don’t want to be just 1 of 1%. It’s my job to inspire people to grow that number.
Starting a business in these times can be mentally exhausting but rewarding. We wanted to find out where Camillya gets her motivation from and how that motivation prepares her for the next step, along with advice to persons looking to get into the industry.
What keeps you motivated and thriving daily in the midst of a pandemic?
My family, my daughter, my team. I own other businesses that were able to stay open and perform during the pandemic so I figured out a way to continue to make this business grow as well. I want to be an example of when you are faced with adversity; be it a lost shipment, a broken pipe in your store, or even a worldwide pandemic; if you want something bad enough, you can make it work.
What advice do you have for anyone thinking about getting into the wine industry?
Do your research. Find out what your favorite grape is. Go to the vineyards. Drink A LOT OF WINE! I am a lifelong student in this industry. It’s more than wine, I am looking to create an experience and introduce people to an avenue of luxury without a stigma or feeling of lack of access. If you looking to get into this industry or any industry you have to know your purpose and hold on to that.
What’s next for you?
We are preparing to open our first brick-and-mortar location, Ebony Urban Winery Experience. It’s not your mama’s winery. I can’t wait for everyone to see it. We are also working on expanding our varieties and revamping some of the favorites that our Ebony family already loves.
Camillya Masunda can only be described as an inspiration to young women, especially women of color to go after something that is close to your heart without fear of the obstacles that may be ahead. It was a pleasure interviewing Camillya and we are excited to see her shine in the wine industry.
