Black-owned Prosecco Company Takes Charleston by Storm
In a notable achievement for black entrepreneurship, a new prosecco company, Don Luchi, launched by Justin “Luchi” Wages, Andre Grundy, and David Kinloch, is making a splash in the Charleston beverage industry. The locally-based trio wisely pivoted from their initial inclination towards the beer market, transitioning instead to the realm of sparkling wines.
The idea was ignited by Wages’ deep-dive into the world of sparkling wine. Noting a glaring absence of minority representation in this sector, he sensed an opportunity for innovation and growth. Determined to fill the void, Wages responded to his team’s uncertainty with a resolute vow to figure out a path towards their new pursuit.
Connection with Italy and the Creation of Don Luchi Prosecco
The first step towards realizing this ambition led the trio to an Italian vineyard which expressed interest in collaborating with American partners. Following a visit to the vineyard in March, the prosecco was imported and released a few months later in June. Charleston’s reception to Don Luchi Prosecco has been overwhelmingly positive, leading the product to sell out four times since its launch.
What Makes Don Luchi Prosecco So Exceptional
Don Luchi Prosecco, more fully named Don Luchi Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G., stands out due to its exclusive utilization of the Glera grape. This grape, a synonym for northern Italy’s Prosecco grape, is believed to be named after the village of Prosecco. What’s more, earning the D.O.C.G. (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) status signifies that the wine has fulfilled all prerequisites of a D.O.C. wine and was also bottled in the same region of production, attesting to its premium quality and authentic identity.
Promoting Prosecco and Broadening Palates
Besides producing a delectable prosecco, Wages, Grundy, and Kinloch are committed to enlightening consumers about the distinctiveness of sparkling wine, especially its divergence from Champagne. Endeavoring to become level one sommeliers, the trio constantly engage with experts, striving to absorb as much knowledge as they can pertinent to wine and the industry.
The team at Don Luchi Prosecco not only appreciates the prosecco straight from the glass, but also endorses its mixability with fresh juices for mimosas. A cucumber gin variant was a highlighted feature at the brand’s launch party. The trio also advocates for pairing their crisp prosecco with local delicacies like blue crabs, red rice, and fried fish.
Don Luchi Prosecco Finds Favor in Charleston
Currently, Don Luchi Prosecco is available at a growing selection of local liquor and wine stores and, as of this week, has become the exclusive bottle service at local music club The Commodore. Wages expressed his optimistic view of Don Luchi’s early success and his ambition to turn the brand into a household name, citing the company’s rapid progress in under a year and a half as a testament to the power of intentionality and hard work.
