Daily Inspiration: Meet Grant Hemingway

Today we’d like to introduce you to Grant Hemingway

Hi Grant, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My wife, Natalie and I found ourselves at a crossroads. As new parents, we struggled to juggle the responsibilities of parenthood, careers, and striving for a better quality of life. Amidst the chaos and wanting remain fully engaged, we couldn’t escape the void left by the absence of something we cherished – the carefree delight of sharing a bottle of wine without worrying about its potential impact. The ritual and allure of wine now clashed with our lifestyle aspirations and priorities.

This challenge attracted the attention of my now co-founder in Libby, John Green – a kindred spirit, beverage entrepreneur, and visionary behind culture-defining beverages such as the Session IPA, who felt wine needed a shift. Determined to find a solution, John and I embarked on a journey to reconcile our love for wine with our commitment to well-being, without compromise. We felt the marriage of my winemaking background with his vast entrepreneurial experience and passion for disruption was a foundational recipe to pour our collective expertise, vision, and creativity into crafting a sparkling wine that captured everything we loved about wine—minus the alcohol.

Thus, Libby was born—a non-alcoholic sparkling wine we conceived out of necessity and nurtured with passion. In a world where alcohol moderation is increasingly valued and social norms are shifting, we want Libby to stand as a beacon of possibility. It embodies the idea that everyone deserves to raise a glass and savor life’s moments, regardless of their journey.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’d argue that any founder in the modern startup era who claims their path to success was smooth needs a serious fact-check! John and I have been fortunate to launch several ventures, each with its own mix of successes and failures. I fully embrace the concept of ‘failing forward,’ especially when you’re exploring innovative, disruptive, or emerging spaces. We’ve built an incredible team, supported by a strong network of partners who help drive the growth of Libby, but each day brings new and exciting challenges.

No matter the category, size, or stage, every startup rides a turbulent roller coaster. Even when one part of the business is rocketing towards a peak, someone else on the team might be navigating a valley. Like many businesses, we’ve faced and continue to face challenges across every area—production, supply chain, finances, marketing, sales, and distribution. But that’s the excitement of building new brands in emerging categories: creating new segments, offering consumers innovative solutions, and hopefully contributing to their well-being.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve always seen winemaking as a beautiful marriage of art and science. It challenges you to stay grounded in foundational, traditional techniques while trusting your instincts—like balancing the mind and the heart. It also connects deeply with my love for agriculture and farming, staying in tune with nature, and transforming the year’s harvest into something that brings people together. After 18 harvests, I’ve learned that every vintage comes with its own unique challenges, but it’s all about working with what Mother Nature gives you.

With Libby, the challenge was clear: create a non-alcoholic sparkling wine that appeals to the discerning palate of a wine drinker looking to moderate their intake, without sacrificing their appreciation for a beautiful bouquet, vibrant acidity, or a balanced fruit profile and mouthfeel. It required completely deconstructing the winemaking process, incorporating modern alcohol removal technology, and critically evaluating every step and input to ensure the final product met our vision and promise. I believe my extensive winemaking experience and openness to inspiration from beyond the category are key reasons why Libby is delighting customers across the country.

What are your plans for the future?
We’re on the verge of launching our first two wines—Libby Non-Alcoholic Sparkling White and Sparkling Rosé. Right now, our focus is on executing the launch plan and we’re thrilled to bring these wines to Denver and a few other select markets. While the non-alcoholic wine segment is still in its early stages, we’ve identified two major factors holding the category back from explosive growth: quality and availability. We’re committed to developing creative and exciting programs with retailers and restaurants to raise awareness and help consumers navigate the often intimidating world of moderation.

That said, we see incredible potential ahead. We’re already exploring new sparkling styles and grape sources, working on delivering best-in-class still non-alcoholic wines, and continuing R&D on formats and delivery methods. Our goal is to offer variety not just in wine style, but also in the occasions people choose to enjoy them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drinklibby.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinklibby
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drinklibby
• Twitter: https://x.com/drinklibby
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drinklibby