Meet Taleeka Franklin | Wine Maker & Hotelier

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taleeka Franklin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taleeka, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After seeing a few wine brands on the market who’s wine labels came to life, my passion for both wine and activism with a goal of making Black people more socially aware, I used this augmented technology to manifest my vision. These passions birthed a need to present a product that featured individuals who positively impacted the Black community while selling my favorite beverage, WINE! Wine4Culture’s wine labels bring Black leaders to life using augmented technology, starting with Harriet Tubman as my first prototype and Tyler Perry as my second. I am now developing my great grandfather’s venue into Franklin Winery in Madison, Georgia sourcing grape juice from local farmers becoming the second Black owned winery in the state.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Prior to my 10 year tenor in the hospitality field came to an end due to a Covid-19 pandemic furlough, I worked for some of the top hospitality companies in the nation. I revenue managed hotels from New York and Boston, down to Atlanta and Key West. Though my first label prototype was in the works as of June 2019, thanks to artist Jon Hamm of Philadelphia, I wasn’t able to pursue it full time until my departure from corporate America during quarantine. This unique idea of celebrating Black pioneers by way of these augmented labels, I still couldn’t imagine making my own wine. I always planned to partner with a winery to produce the product and I label the bottles with my brand. After understanding the policies and procedures of the Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau, and hitting road blocks to receive the Government Warning with the Surgeon General messaging linked to my brand, it led me to creating my own wine so I wouldn’t have to sign my intellectual property off as a DBA to another winery. After linking with local wine makers, completing research, and purchasing sommelier books, I started fermenting my first batch Spring of 2020. I have since received my bonded winery permit from the TTB and have partnered with local farmers to source my grape juice as well as ordering international juice. I have several labels approved with the TTB and contributed to legislation being passed for both wineries and breweries in Putnum County Georgia where my winery resides. Because all of this is so new to the area, I am currently awaiting for the county clerk’s office to create paperwork and fees now that the commissioner’s office recently voted in the approval as of July 2nd. I will then move forward with the state for official retail sales. African Americans make up less than 1% of wine makers in the United States, which is how I have so quickly made history as the first Black Women owned winery in the state of Georgia. It’s a one man show with only my savings and local donations funding my dreams, I have no regrets and continue to strive to mass produce to hit shelves by 2022. Wine4Culture and Franklin Winery will be a household name for sure!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well being the wino that I am, I love to stray off the beaten path and visit a few wine boutiques that helped this Jersey girl get more familiar with the southern wine world. The Purple Corkscrew in Avondale Estates and Corks & Cuvee in Conyers provide a nice wine tasting ambiance with charcuterie and private rooms for an intimate group. Heading over to Ponce City Market for not only shopping, but Bar Vegan by the one and only Pinky Cole, owner of the famous Slutty Vegan restaurants is definitely a win. Atlanta Botanical Gardens is a sight to see sharing the grounds with Piedmont Park for a nice stroll. Anna’s BBQ is great for a some down home soul food and enjoy the Georgia weather at the picnic benches right outside. The Sundial restaurant on the 72nd floor of The Westin hotel is great for fine dining and 360 Atlanta views as well as a phenomenal menu, Sea Bass to die for! The night life also transitions from great culinary experiences, from Nouveau in the College Park area to Suite Lounge in the heart of Atlanta. Though Mimosas and brunch go hand and hand in ATL, I’m a huge fan of Atlanta Breakfast Club, which doesn’t serve alcohol. Their salmon croquettes and peach cobbler French toast is a game changer. If bottomless Champaign is your thing, Boogalou Restaurant & Lounge and their bar swings are a nice vibe. Closing out a weekend every Sunday evening at Atlanta Bonfire is truly a treat. Local venders selling everything from crystal necklaces to soul food platters; live music, life size board games, and much more for a minimal entry fee rocking from 10pm to 3am.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Birthed to a teenage mother in the midst of the US 1980s, I owe my success to my mother, Lydia Franklin-Moses. Her sacrifices and influence played an integral part to not only my entrepreneurial initiatives, but my decade long tenor in the hospitality industry. I would also like to recognize my father, Walter Prim-Booker, uncle Rodney Prim-Booker, and grand mothers, Lillie Bell Franklin and Elma Jean Stout, as well as my entire family village and community of New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Website: www.wine4culture.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wine4culture/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taleeka-franklin-79b94628/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wine4culture

Facebook: https://twitter.com/wine4culture

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-LjnRiOrYJGb0c-ZUUgH6Q

Other: WineGuruLeekz on Clubhouse