Meet Stephanie Franklin | Stephanie Franklin-Franklin Vines Founder, CEO & Winemaker
We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Franklin and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Stephanie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I remember sitting in WSET 3 class in 2019. We were discussing grape growing regions and I knew at that moment I wanted to plant a vineyard and become a winemaker. I knew my business name would be Franklin Vines. I envisioned it, I felt it. I didn’t know how I was going to fund this HUGE dream, but I felt strongly that I would accomplish this goal. I was fueled by my dream. I knew education, hands-on experience and immersing myself in the wine industry was a must because my background was not in Viticulture and Enology.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It definitely was not easy to get to where I am today, but I believe when you’re passionate about something you find the energy, you find the time, you find a way to make things happen. I’m learning to embrace every challenge that comes my way. I’m also learning to celebrate every small win. Every day is a new day to put your best foot forward. I’ve shed so many tears over my business and often asked myself why am I doing this. I said, “oh yeah, it’s MY DREAM and I won’t be happy until I see it through.” I’m really proud of my ABC News Good Morning America interview with Michael Strahan regarding my plans to plant a vineyard in the historical town of Shankleville, TX on my grandfather’s land. You can watch the video here. https://www.google.com/
I am most proud of launching my 1st vintage, Tannat Franklin Vines Wines this year.
I still can’t believe I have wine! IIt was all a dream! I realized that I wasn’t living until I started dreaming.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a good friend came in from out of town, I would definitely have a food and wine dinner, invite friends over and have everyone bring a bottle of wine. Friends sharing wine, food and making new memories are some of the best times.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to God for giving me the strength and ability to push forward and see my dream through.
Shout out to my family and friends for being a sounding board and cheering me on!
Shout out to my first wine family and mentor Jaime Araujo, Trois Noix in Napa. I accepted a winemaking intern opportunity with Trois Noix during the height of COVID in 2020 and during the time Napa was experiencing fires at the time. You can read about my intern experience and what it was like during fire season here. https://timatkin.com/
Dr. Bob Young of Bending Branch Winery in Comfort, TX is another person I want to shout out! I accepted a winemaking/production internship with BBW in 2021. It all started with a phone call and that led to an incredible experience.
I learned so much about Texas wine. The internship was unlike anything I’ve experienced. I learned what I was truly capable of. Let’s just say me and punch downs were best friends.
There are so many other people to shoutout that have been there since I started my wine journey. To name a few…. Alisha and Michael Sommer gave me insight on wine marketing and sales, Wayne Luckett of Branwar Wine gave me my very first wine sales job, Jeremy Parzen gave me so much insight about wine in general and sent amazing opportunities my way, Carl Chargois is such a wealth of knowledge about the overall wine industry and provides me with so much insight. I’m grateful to everyone who has encouraged me to keep going!
Website: https://franklinvineshtx.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franklinvineswine/?ref=5rqdmdyz0usvw&hl=am-et
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franklin-vines-wine-maker/
Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franklin-vines-wine-maker/
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