Pour and Explore: WeRise Wine Celebrates A Major Milestone with Private Label Launch

WeRise Wine, a Seattle wine bar dedicated to promoting diversity and representation in the wine industry, celebrated the one-year anniversary of its wine club with a Pour and Explore event last month. The celebration, held at the bar’s Downtown Seattle location, not only commemorated the milestone but also introduced its new private-label wine to its loyal community.

Pour and Explore served as a platform to highlight WeRise’s unique approach to its wine club and community, generating anticipation for its new private-label offerings. Owner and founder Jamila Conley discussed her vision for leadership in the wine industry, emphasizing WeRise's core mission of addressing diversity and underrepresentation. 

“Everything is about building an inclusive community that anyone can walk in those doors and we will meet you where you are,” Conley said. “You don't need to know about wine or grapes. Just come in and want to have a great experience.”

Among Conley’s staff is assistant bar manager Sophie Haney, who expanded on how WeRise's mission is integrated into daily interactions with members and guests. “I think it's just joy in a glass…” Haney said. “The joy of knowing that you're supporting a business that's doing this incredible work, that you are supporting yourself by getting good, delicious local wine…I think it should fill everybody with joy.”

The celebration of the wine club brought together many original members, including Natasha Rosenblatt, who commended the WeRise community's growth over the course of one year. She praised the bar for its combination of good vibes and welcoming spirit that upholds Conley’s commitment to inclusivity. 

Conley spoke about the intention behind the new private-label wine in expanding her mission. “The reason I wanted to launch our own label is to help extend the brand, extend how we can reach out and get more eyes on what we're trying to achieve,” she said. “Now we're here celebrating with people who are showing love to what we've put into this. And having that acceptance means everything.”

Wine club member Kris Hayes spoke on the new private label and the impact he expects to see. “The label of WeRise and people starting to know what it represents and now seeing it within a wine, I think that'll help to just…be a megaphone to the message.”

The Pour and Explore event successfully underscored the distinctive nature of the WeRise wine club and brand, as well as the excitement surrounding its private-label wine. These new offerings show WeRise's commitment to cultivating a more inclusive wine industry.

“Part of the fun I get to have is what's the new exciting thing? What's the new exciting winemaker or wine that I get to introduce my club members to?” Conley said. 

Learn more at werisewines.com for more information about the WeRise wine club and upcoming events. Stop by WeRise Wines at 1913 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

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