🥂 From the Loire Valley to Your Glass: Nneka Ihim’s Bold Journey with Bido Wines
Join The Wine Concierge founder Leslie for an extraordinary conversation with Nneka Ihim, founder of Bido Wines, who is doing what few Black entrepreneurs have dared—creating her own French sparkling wine from the legendary Loire Valley and challenging centuries of tradition in one of the world’s most exclusive wine regions.
What makes this conversation unmissable:
🍾 The Audacity of French Sparkling Wine
Discover why Nneka chose to enter one of the most prestigious (and gatekept) segments of the wine industry, and how she’s navigating the complexities of Loire Valley winemaking, French regulations, and building relationships with European producers in a region known for world-class sparkling wines.
🌍 The New Wave is Here
We’re witnessing a powerful movement: Black entrepreneurs aren’t just selling wine—they’re creating their own brands, controlling their stories, and building generational wealth. Nneka shares what this shift means for the future of the industry.
💎 From Vision to Bottle
Get the inside story on what it actually takes to launch a Loire Valley sparkling wine brand: sourcing from France’s historic wine region, understanding méthode traditionnelle, branding for luxury, pricing strategy, and competing in a market dominated by legacy houses and big Champagne names.
✊🏾 Why Representation in Wine Matters
The wine industry has long been exclusive and insular. Hear how this new generation of Black wine entrepreneurs is dismantling those barriers and creating space for diverse palates, stories, and business models.
You’ll walk away with:
Inspiration to pursue your “impossible” business idea
Real talk about the challenges and triumphs of building a luxury French wine brand
A deeper appreciation for Loire Valley sparkling wine and why it’s France’s best-kept secret
Names of Black-owned wine brands you need to support
Proof that the wine world is changing—and you can be part of it
Perfect for:
🍷 Wine enthusiasts ready to explore beyond Champagne and discover Loire Valley gems
🚀 Entrepreneurs who want to break into “closed” industries
🎯 Anyone who believes luxury should be accessible and inclusive
💼 Business owners looking for real-world startup wisdom
This isn’t just a wine interview—it’s a masterclass in courage, strategy, and rewriting the rules.
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