Meet Jeannae Amour | Founder/Owner/Winemaker

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

Hi Jeannae, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?

The SIPstahood (https://www.thesipstahood.com/) mixes philanthropy & libation, with a 20% giveback in bringing the harvest to the hood with the best of viticulture which can be enjoyed at our winery tasting room located in Houston’s historical 3rd ward (5251 live oak Houston, Tx) or from the comfort & security of your home through our interactive, educational and customized experience!

The SIPstahood currently has three wine varietals (cabernet sauvignon, white blend & sparkling brut) with new varietals in production and scheduled for release in March/April 2023 and sip services (sip-tastings, sip-scriptions and sip-tending). Through our SIP-sational products and services, the SIPstahood seeks to provide alternative means of fundraising, build awareness and accessibility of viticulture and enology as well as enable urban social impact in underserved and underrepresented communities….One SIP at a time!

What should our readers know about your business?
The SIPstahood (https://www.thesipstahood.com/) mixes philanthropy & libation, with up to a 20% giveback in bringing the harvest to the hood with the best of viticulture which can be enjoyed at our winery tasting room 5251 live oak in 3rd ward Houston, Tx or from the comfort & security of your home through our interactive, educational and customized experience!
The SIPstahood currently has three wine varietals (cabernet sauvignon, white blend & sparkling brut) and sip services (sip-tastings, sip-scriptions and sip-tending). Through our SIP-sational products and services, the SIPstahood seeks to provide alternative means of fundraising, build awareness and accessibility of viticulture and enology as well as enable urban social impact in underserved and underrepresented communities….One SIP at a time!
As a small self-funded female black owned business specifically operating in an industry with less than 1% of representation due to are lack of financial capital, systemic racism, and confusing wine regulations. No, it has not been easy to navigating the wine & spirits industry especially the regulations on location requirements and reporting. The first way I overcame many challenges was through doing my own research, not just accepting ‘no’ or ‘you have to be rich to open a winery’. I literally would google ‘how to open a winery in Texas’ or ‘how much does it cost to open a winery in harris county or Houston’. Secondly, I sought to build my own knowledge and skillset through enrolling in Texas Tech University Enology Winemaker Certification Program. Lastly, I leveraged community resources such as the Houston Area Urban League Small Business University which was pivotal in helping me build a business canvas, understand my target demographic, pitch my business and etc.

Launching the SIPstahood my first solo and product based entrepreneurial venture which has taught me a lot about myself, customers/consumers and the importance of due diligence

(https://www.ebony.com/black-winemakers-wines-sommeliers/;HIDDEN BLACK HISTORY: BLACK WINEMAKERS AND WINES YOU NEED TO KNOW, PLUS TOP SOMMELIERS SHARE THEIR PERFECT PAIRINGS (2/2022) )

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Houston has so many fun areas depending on the time of the year! If I had to set-up an itinerary for a friend visiting Houston for a week, I would recommend: – Monday: NASA (https://www.nasa.gov/) recommend because it hopefully will not be too crowded or busy, Kemah (https://www.kemahboardwalk.com/), Galveston (https://www.galveston.com/)

– Tuesday: Breakfast – The Breakfast Klub (https://thebreakfastklub.com/) food, atmosphere & friendly staff, Lunch – could likely skip because probably still full from breakfast, Dinner – Taco Tuesday spot (don’t know of any off hand but would find one) BB’s (https://www.bbstexorleans.com/) Tex-Or crawfish
>>>>>Tues. Activities: Astros game (if season has started), Rockets game, Discovery Green

– Wed: Breakfast – Snooze or Blackwalnut (https://www.blackwalnutcafe.com/), Lunch – Treebeards (https://treebeards.com/) – red beans & rice with the sausage, cheese & green onion is amazing & their yellow or chocolate cake is delicious! Dinner – steak night (not sure of a place but would look one up)
>>>>>Wed. Activities: Dynamo, Galleria, Warehouse live (if they have concert), House of Blues

– Thurs: Breakfast -, Lunch- Taste Kitchen (https://www.tastebarkitchen.com/), Dinner – Davis St (https://www.davisstreet.com/),
>>>>>Thurs Activities: Houston Museum District (https://houmuse.org/)

– Fri: Breakfast/Brunch – Lucille’s (https://lucilleshouston.com/), Lunch/Dinner: The Turkey Leg Hut (https://www.theturkeyleghut.com/)
>>>>>Fri Activities:Miller Outdoor Theatre (https://www.milleroutdoortheatre.com/), The Phil & Derek’s Speakeasy Comedy Lounge (https://philanddereks.com/comedy-shows/)

– Sat: Brunch- a’Bouzy (https://www.abouzy.com/), – Dinner – Kiss (https://kissrestaurant.com/houston/)
>>>>>Sat Activities: Hangout in Midtown, Heights or Washington Ave, The Ensemble theatre (https://ensemblehouston.com/)

– Sun: Brunch – Thirteen (https://www.13htx.com/)
>>>>>Sun Activities: Rockets Game (if playing), Hangout in Midtown, Heights or Washington Ave

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To whom much is given, much is required Luke 12:48, I would first give a shoutout to God for the gifts, blessings, grace & favor I have received throughout my life!

Secondly, I dedicate a shoutout to my family and ancestors are the inspiration for my motivation and many of the blessings I have received I know stem from their labors, sacrifices, missteps, setbacks and the tenacity to endure the entrepreneurial journey especially as African Americans, during segregation and even now. My grandfather was an entrepreneur, so was my father (until he retired in June 2021) and currently so are both my brother and sister.

Lastly, I dedicate a shoutout to ‘the village’ those that have poured into me throughout my life! Through various community and national organizations such as Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church (Rev Gwen Pierre), Top Teens of America (Lady Sharon Beard, currently TLOD National President), Girl Scouts (Rev. Dr. Lynda Gittens Wright) and Student Activities Association at SFASU where I have made lifelong friends (Chelsi & Shernesha)!

But my biggest shoutout is to my sister from another mister, my biggest cheerleader (even from heaven), my rider for life, forever BFF, my son’s guardian angel Mrs. Shaunda D Gordon!

Website: https://www.thesipstahood.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sipstahood/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesipstahood

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-sipstahood-houston

Image Credits
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