Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheramie Law.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It’s funny to think that I just landed in the wine business. My journey starts off as a consumer. I was an older college student because I was in the Marine Corps before college. That means all my friends were older and we would hang out at a wine bar during our free time. This is where I began to learn a lot about wine.
In 2013, I met my partner, Todd Aho, and on one of our first dates, he took me to Fredericksburg, TX (which is Texas’ wine country, second to Napa, CA in foot traffic) from there wine became the hobby that we did together. In 2015/16, we were challenged by someone in the wine industry on Texas wine. At that time, we had no idea about how Texas Wine was viewed by anyone who wasn’t in Texas, as we had over the years tasted great wine and met amazing people. This reaction by someone not in the Texas wine industry spurred on an almost obsession. We began to travel the state of Texas, meeting with winemakers, growers, and industry leaders all in an effort to learn about Texas wine.
In 2017, we officially started our business, Salt and Pepper Wine, LLC. Our goal was to educate the public on Texas wine and we did that through social media and in-person tastings. From there, we became wine brokers in Dallas and sold wine to restaurants, wine bars, wine festivals, and social gatherings. In 2019, we started our own Texas wine brand, Cheramie Wine. Our first wine, a Riesling, will hit the market at the end of the Summer and our second wine, a Montepulciano Rosé will be available at the beginning of 2021.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
This road into wine hasn’t been a smooth road. I came into wine in an unconventional way, because of this it has been a struggle as there is a very large learning curve and I couldn’t find a mentor no matter how hard I tried (and still try), the wine industry is known for being closed off from people who don’t fit a certain mold. The thing about me is the struggle really pushes me to do my best.
Cheramie Wine – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Cheramie Wine is the first wine out of Salt and Pepper Wine. We specialize in making 100% Texas wine. Texas Grown. Texas Made.
I am most proud that I didn’t listen to any naysayers in starting my own wine brand. There is a very small representation of Black people in the wine industry and I get to show others that Black people can be leaders in the wine world and get to pave the way for anyone who hasn’t seen themselves in wine. People can see me and know that being in the business of wine is an option for them. What sets me apart from others is I’m Cheramie, there is only one of me!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I’m very hard on myself, but I try to look at each milestone as a success. This is my first time starting a business so just being here is a success. But really, Todd and I have a long term plan in growing our wine business. I think being able to look at what we created and then at the people we are able to help along the way; that’s a success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cheramiewine.com
- Phone: 9033752738
- Email: hello@saltandpepperwine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheramiewine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheramiewine/
Image Credit:
@Lumos.Creative for professional and Todd Aho for personal
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