Meet Gracie Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gracie Phoenix. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am one half of “2 Brown Girls”, which is a brand of wine with a twist! 

My partner, Priya came up with the name and the concept back in 2017, while she was visiting Denver on her way to California with her husband. We were just sitting outside, enjoying a glass of wine together when she had an idea to start a wine business, but she wanted to add shimmer to the wine. 

I don’t know if it was the alcohol, but I thought it was genius! Immediately I got excited because fortunately, I already had access to an old family wine recipe. 

When I told Priya about my family’s wine recipe, we looked at each other with big eyes and giggled. She left for California that day and I didn’t think too much about it, but she was serious. Over time, we continued to talk about creating a shimmer wine brand so eventually, I called my mother and asked her for the family wine recipe. 

My mother didn’t have the recipe on hand, so she had to do a little digging in the family archives and talk to other family members until she found it! Once my mother had the recipe, she sent it to me and that was “All She Wrote”. 

When I was little, I would always smell the scent of wine brewing in my Grandpoppy’s basement. I remember smashing grapes with my sister and my cousins in his backyard. My grandpoppy had his own grapevine, so we would pick the grapes from the vines and we even ate some too! 

My grandparents lived in Inkster, MI, about 30 minutes from Detroit, MI and we visited them regularly on our way to see our father who lived in Detroit. I remember those Thanksgiving holidays where my Grandpoppy brought gallons of his homemade wine to the family dinners. My parents don’t know this, but I would sneak and drink some of the wines when no one was looking. I had no idea that one day, I’d be bringing his old family wine recipe to wine lovers around the world! 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The challenge has been the distance between myself and Priya. She lives in California and I live in Denver, so we have to do everything remotely. I wish we were in the same city together or at least able to visit with each other more frequently. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Previously, I was known for media work: producing films, interviewing celebrities & hosting radio and TV programs. Today, I am venturing into a whole new world of WINE making. 

I am most proud of the fact that our wine recipe dates back over 3 generations in my family history! 

What sets our brand apart from other wines is the Shimmer. We use an edible shimmer ingredient that makes our wine beautiful. 2 Brown Girls is a sweet, shimmery dessert wine, made from the freshest California grapes. This old family recipe has been passed down over 3 generations of African American History! Fermented and bottled in Green Valley Ranch, CO. It’s the family legacy that does it for me. 

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My mother has always supported my projects and business ventures, even if she didn’t know exactly where I was going with it. As I mature into my early 40’s my mother has begun to open up more to me about her life experiences and our relationship has evolved for the better. She always reaches out with encouraging words and thoughts to make my day run smoother. My mom is my Ace Boon. She rocks with me when I have no idea what I’m doing. 

Though my mom is one of my biggest cheerleaders, my kids and my big sister also support me in everything I do. I’m grateful to have the reassurance of a family that keeps pushing me to succeed. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know where I would be. My family is my world. 

Pricing:

• $19.99 +Shipping

Contact Info:

• Website: https://form.jotform.com/2browngirlswine/product-order-form
• Email: 2BrownGirlsWine@gmail.com
• Instagram: @2BrownGirls_Wine
• Facebook: 2 Brown Girls Wine
• Phone: 720-739-1050

Image Credits
Floyd’s Grapevine
UniLion Entertainment