Women Wednesdays Series | Frances Gonzalez
Photo by Leticia Velasco
Our Women Wednesdays series features a woman in business, non-profit, or volunteer position the first Wednesday of every month. These women hale from diverse backgrounds and industries, but all have one thing in common, they are shining, helping others, and following their dreams! The goal of this Women Wednesdays series is to encourage, honor, and promote these women and the notable work they are doing!
Our November 2019 feature is Frances Gonzalez, Owner of Vegan Wines.
Our taste buds and our planet have been bettered by sipping at the wines Frances carries and promotes through Vegan Wines — a company which is really beyond vegan! From chardonnays to cabernets, these vinos are created in partnership with nature and without the unappetizing additives many wine enthusiasts are often unaware of being present in their glass. Vegan Wines are free from the chemical dyes, sulfite additives, and the fish bones and bladders so often found in the brands we know by name —and yes, this even includes many organic wines, which can have these hiding in their luscious liquid! Vegan Wines is here to take the mystery out of selecting a wine that you love without the bits you don’t love, while serving and sustaining the planet — and that’s something we can all clink our glasses to! 🥂
Photo by LACE Photo Media - and YES! that’s vegan cheese :D
Tell us about what you do, who you serve, and your favorite part of it all.
I search worldwide for wines that are naturally vegan by farmers and winemakers that are working alongside nature instead of against nature. I serve all! Vegan and non-vegans should all know what is in their wines, transparency is key. My favorite part is to educate because many are still believing the (big) commercial industry just trying to sell at the cost of our health.
“I serve all! Vegan and non-vegans should all know what is in their wines, transparency is key. ”
What started you on your business journey?
During a wine tour while on vacation in France about 5 years ago, which unexpectedly turned into research after hearing for the first time '“winemaking and egg whites” in the same sentence. I knew if a long-time vegan (me!) was not aware of the animal additives in a wine, then we had to educate and search for wines good for all. A mission was born and that became Vegan Wines.
How long have you been in business and what have you learned along the way?
After 2 years in business, I have learned that winemaking is very much like veganism. It’s about learning the truth and connecting the dots on how we can protect our vineyards for many years to come of beautiful harvests.
“It’s about learning the truth and connecting the dots on how we can protect our vineyards for many years to come of beautiful harvests.”
What are your current business and branding goals?
To educate wine lovers and the wine community as a whole about best practices for safe, healthy wine production and consumption. Wineries and vineyards that work with nature, allow the land and grapes to thrive and be naturally resistant while additives that work against nature are not sustainable or healthy for us or our planet. Education is key - if people knew about what they were drinking - I think most of us can agree we don’t want to be ingesting fish bladders, especially unknowingly, they would want to find wine that didn’t contain these ingredients! We are excited to be working on a trademark that we can have featured on the bottles of brands that we’ve personally visited and approved to follow the vegan and best practices we advocate for - that way vegans and non vegans alike can know what’s in the wine they’re drinking and how it was made.
What is your ultimate business goal?
To align veganism and the wine industry - they need to be in the same path for the future of agriculture/earth.
What has been your biggest business hurdle and what did you learn/how did you grow from it?
Many still do not know that not all wines are vegan. I have learned that many think wine is just grapes as it should be but it is not in all winemaking. I have learned how to approach and share information in a way for vegans and non-vegans to understand.
Photo by LACE Photo Media
What is the criteria for Vegan Wines?
We work with vineyards that…
+Work with nature and not against it and that starts with letting nature take care of the soil
+Do not use manure from animal factories (manure from these factories can come from mistreated animals and contain antibiotics and other substances ingested by these animals)
+Use green manure left over from the harvest
+Let nature take care of their vines
+Do not use animals to work the farm
+That hand pick their grapes vs using machines. Why is this important to the planet and what you sip in your glass? Not all grapes will be ready at the same time and handpicking ensures only grapes that are ready are picked. This positively impacts the quality and taste of the wine.
+That treat their people right and value their team
How does Vegan Wines go beyond vegan?
Veganism is not just about not eating meat or animal products when it comes to Vegan Wines - It’s how are the farmers? How do they treat their land? How are they treating their employees? How do they treat other people? And how much love and dedication do they put into their craft?
What would be your biggest tip/takeaway/piece of advice to anyone starting their own business?
Stay eyes and heart open as many great things come with hard work and patience. Patience is key!
“Stay eyes and heart open as many great things come with hard work and patience. Patience is key!”
Photo by LACE Photo Media
Vegan Wines is an Importer + Distributor + Wine Club + Online Wine Shop
Looking for delicious vegan wine that works with nature?!
Find Frances Gonzales and delicious, planet honoring Vegan Wines here:
Website: www.veganwines.com
Instagram: @myveganwines
Facebook: @myveganwines
Photo by Leticia Velasco
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