The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Culinary Travels
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Culinary Travels
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
No Result
View All Result
Home Blog

Zuri Wine Tasting & Tours by Tuanni Price!

by Nadeen
July 10, 2016
A A

I am thrilled to introduce my readers to Zuri Wine Tasting and its owner Tuanni Price. I was first made aware of Zuri Wine Tasting and Tuanni Price after the Napa Valley Wine Train incident in which book club members, who were predominately African-American, were escorted off the train for laughing. The incident caused an uproar in social media and produced the hashtag #laughingwhileblack. On Facebook I noticed several postings about Zuri Wine Tasting encouraging support of this black owned wine company. I am a strong supporter of small businesses, black owned businesses and female entrepeneurs so I reached out to Tuanni for this interview. I knew Zuri Wne Tasting would be a perfect addition to the wine section of my blog.

Zuri Wine Tasting & Tours! Get to know the owner of this black female owned wine company based in Los Angeles!
Tuanni Price in action on the right.

TSL: Tell us about yourself-where are you from, what is your background, where do you live?

Tuanni: My name is Tuanni price, I am the owner of Zuri Wine Tasting.  I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I own a wine tasting and tour business. This is my 5th year in business and recently I purchased a small wine tour bus.

TSL: When did you start having an interest in wine? What steps did you take to pursue that passion?

Tuanni: I first started having an interest in wine years ago when I worked for a 5 star hotel, the St. Regis.  I worked in the accounting department and as a thank you for a job well done my manager treated me to a complimentary dinner. I took my Mother and sister to this dining experience.  It was my first time “hosting”  which meant I was responsible for the wine selection.  I remember the evening so clearly.  The Sommelier who offered the wine list was basically no help.  He was a snob (now that I think about it maybe he just didn’t know better).  Anyway, the wine ordering ceremony: selecting, seeing, swirling… was a bit overwhelming.  At the time I knew nothing about wine.  After that night I decided to learn all that I could about wine and started a wine club with my girlfriends.  We had a great time learning about wine.  I fell in love with the lifestyle of wine!

TSL: How did the idea of Zuri Wine Tasting come to be a reality?

Tuanni: Our wine club lasted for a couple years. After it ended, I continued to force my friends and family to come to my home and eat while they listened to anything new that I learned about wine.  I have a talent for helping people identify their palates and pairing foods with wines. I like to encourage folks to think outside of their norm.  The feedback I received was positive and people recommended that I start a business.  Of note, I grew up in South Central L.A. and I had just found out what a sommelier was a couple of years before working at that hotel.  I had no idea what I could do or wanted to do.  I did know that I made wine fun and easy for people so I built a business model based on that.

Zuri Wine Tasting & Tours! Get to know the owner of this black female owned wine company based in Los Angeles!
Private Wine Tasting Experience

TSL: Tell us about “toast to diversity” and your motto of “wine is complicated, we make tasting simple”.

Tuanni: In reference to “wine is complicated, we make tasting simple”: A lot of people feel intimated by wine, its complicated with its hard to pronounce names like Viognier (grape varietal) and in America it seems like something a certain class of people drink.  I like erasing all the myths that people have about wine.  Wine as a beverage has its own culture and lifestyle.  The only requirement is an open mind and ready taste buds. In my wine classes, I start with the basic way to approach wine, starting with the five steps  and even going over pronunciations.  On my business cards, and even on the back of my bus, are wine pronunciation guides.  This helps!  I have had customers stick with one type of wine because they are afraid to pronounce something wrong when ordering.  I started hosting tours after my first experience at Rideau Vineyard in Santa Ynez.  Its two hours north of Los Angeles.  When I visited the beautiful wine tasting room I was amazed.  I had not realized that this beautiful wine country was so close to my hometown.  Before that, I thought like many others that you had to travel to Napa Valley to experience great wine in a beautiful setting.  Little did I know that Santa Ynez Valley offers all that and even more.  I wanted to make it simple for people to have the same experience as I did.

In reference to “toast to diversity”: There are a couple things that come to mind when I think about the word diversity.  The first is inclusion and recognition of everyone involved in the wine making process.  Most consumers buy wine off grocery store shelves and have no idea about the people and the passion that went into making the wine.  I like to celebrate everyone involved from the grape pickers, wine makers, tasting room mangers, distributers and of course the consumers.  The second thing that comes to mind is supporting family owned businesses, women and other minorities who historically do not have a lot of access to the capital it takes to make and distribute fine wine.

Zuri Wine Tasting & Tours! Get to know the owner of this black female owned wine company based in Los Angeles!

TSL: What services does Zuri Wine Tasting provide and in which areas?

Tuanni: We are based out of Los Angeles.  We service the entire area from Orange County to Calabasas.  Our services include Private In-Home Tastings, Corporate Wine Tasting Events, Private and Group tours for up to 50 people.

TSL: Have you found it difficult to forge your way in the wine industry as a black woman/minority?

Tuanni: Nope not at all!  The wine business and the people in it are amazing. I have tasting room owners in both Santa Ynez and Napa Valley that welcome my groups and treats us like queens.  Sometimes I get upset because they have so much fun with us that they just keep pouring and laughing and get us off schedule.  The advice and feedback that I receive from my peers in the wine business is usually very positive and helpful.  We host a booth each year at the LA Wine Fest. There are thousands of patrons and our booth, which is staffed by the beautiful Zivas (wine tasting Divas) in the picture, has the most foot traffic and fun.  People in general love our energy and our service. After the last pour of wine that is really all that matters.

Zuri Wine Tasting & Tours! Get to know the owner of this black female owned wine company based in Los Angeles!
Zivas-wine tasting divas!

TSL: What is your relationship with black owned wineries and wine makers?

Tuanni: The best part of being in the wine business is that new friends are usually wine makers.  I have a tour and a dinner series that focuses on black wine makers.  I love it because I will send out a message and they support me as much as I support them.  For example, I have a tour that visits Iris Rideau’s Rideau Vineyard each month.  I am the only group that she takes time with to give a personal tour and she even lets us pour directly from the stainless steel tanks before the wine is even bottled.  Having a good relationship with black people in the business helps provide personal and memorable experiences to my guests.

TSL: What was your reaction to the predominantly black book club members being escorted off the Napa Wine Train?

Tuanni: My only reaction is to make my brand more visible so that people, no matter your race, have more options.  Options that encourage laughter, loudness and fun like on a Zuri Wine Tasting tour.  I am grateful for the attention that I have received over the past couple days. It has definitely increased my brand awareness.  However, I have been in business for 5 years building a great reputation and providing excellent customer service.  My hope is that people will book based on my reputation, the quality of our tours and not just as an angry alternative.

TSL: How can people contact you to take your tours or book wine tasting classes?

Tuanni: Visit my website zuriwine.com or call 424.222.WINE(9463) for more information.

TSL: What advice do you have for female entrepreneurs and women interested in a career in the wine industry?

Tuanni: My advice to female entrepreneurs and women interested in the wine business is to be creative, find your niche and just go for it!

Thank you to Tuanni, the owner of Zuri Wine Tasting, for this informative interview! I thoroughly enjoyed learning about you and your brand. I look forward to my next trip to Los Angeles to do the Santa Ynez/Rideau Vineyard tour and the Malibu Wine Country tour! I am sure my readers will be in touch for one of your many wonderful wine tasting services! Have you done a Zuri Wine Tasting tour? If so share your thoughts with us below!

 

Sign up to learn about luxury travel with food + wine experts all over the world.

Curated small group trips where all you have to do is pack your bag, relax & enjoy!

+ Receive my free packing & to-do lists for International travel!

Thank you! Check your email for your checklists!

Tags: winewine tastingwine tourszuri wines
Previous Post

California Dreaming: Carmel by the Sea in Pictures!

Next Post

The Pros and Cons of All-Inclusive Resorts!

Nadeen

Nadeen

Dr. Nadeen White is a "Blogger by Day, Physician by Night". She is an award-winning travel blogger, Amazon bestselling author and speaker. The Sophisticated Life Blog covers affordable luxury travel, culinary travel and wine. Her domestic and international travel guides gets people to the destinations of their dreams. So, if you are living the sophisticated life or desire to do so, this is the blog for you!

Related Posts

napa valley sign, black-owned wineries in napa and sonoma
Wine

Black-Owned Wineries in Napa and Sonoma.

June 19, 2023
culinary travels, culinary travels by the sophisticated life, culinary tours, culinary tourism, group travel, food and wine tasting
Blog

Introducing Culinary Travels by The Sophisticated Life!

November 15, 2022
photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival
Wine

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting
Wine

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
black-owned businesses, gift guide, holiday gift guide, wine gifts, wine apparel, wine books, wine and spirits, 2021 wine and spirits holiday gift guide featuring back-owned businesses
Wine

2021 Wine & Spirits Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Black-Owned Businesses!

November 27, 2021
things to do in malibu california, malibu restaurants, wine tasting in malibu, malibu beaches, shopping in malibu
Travel

Things to do in Malibu California this Weekend.

March 21, 2022
Next Post
The Pros and Cons of All-Inclusive Resorts! Are you considering traveling to an all-inclusive resort for your next vacation? If so read what a travel blogger has to say about the pros and cons of staying at all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean!

The Pros and Cons of All-Inclusive Resorts!

Southern food in Dallas! Top 5 Restaurant picks from foodie blogger GlitznGrits!

Top 5 Restaurant Picks: Southern Food in Dallas!

No Result
View All Result
Subscribe for updates!

Subscribe for updates!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Best-selling Travel Ebooks Available for Download

Travel Guides to Your Favorite Destinations

USA Wine Guide for Travelers

Culinary Travel Guides: Food & Wine

Recent Posts

Wine

Black-Owned Wineries in Napa and Sonoma.

by Nadeen
June 19, 2023
Travel

River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Which One is Right For You?

by Nadeen
April 11, 2023
  • This past week I was in @gotolouisville for the first time to attend @nomadnessfest 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 It was amazing!! I don’t know how to sum it up in 1 post so here is a photo & video dump of Day #1! 

The first pic is the day of the actual festival on Saturday. I spoke on the “isms of travel” panel representing ageism. I think it went very well! 

But before that day there was an industry day for content creators/influencers to meet with travel brands and we also had a full day of tours with Louisville tourism focusing on historical Black sites in the city-more on that in the next post 👊🏽

The pics here shows some of excitement from industry day. I enjoyed meeting with travel brands and reconnecting with so many travel friends I had not seen in years pre covid years! It was all love in these rooms!! 

Then @evierobbie and @nomadnesstribe team surprised us with luggage from Black woman-owned brand @wndr_ln so cool 😎 

After industry day we had lunch then a few of us headed to @evanwilliamsbourbon for a tasting. Thank you to @heavenhilldistillery for that. It was awesome! 

THEN there was an evening event where @chubbydiaries of @natgeotravel was interviewed by THE Kevin Frazier of @entertainmenttonight what an inspiring talk at a beautiful venue @21clouisville 

Yes I did more that day…lol Thank you to @charlottesgotalot team for inviting us to dinner @brendonscatch23 It was great meeting with other creators & entrepreneurs 🫶🏽

This was Day #1!!! More to come!!! Have you been to Nomadnessfest? Were you at this one? 

#nomadnessfest #nomadnessfest33 #nomadnesstribe #louisvilleky #louisvillelove #louisvillelocal #travelinfluencers #blacktravelblogger #blacktravelfeed #blacktravelgram
  • ***SAVE & SHARE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL! 
How many of these things do you do on a regular basis when you are taking off 🛫 on an international trip?

After the Maui and Morocco natural disasters I started thinking more about these things especially since I visited both places this year. I started to let some of these action items slip! 

In case you missed my LIVE broadcast of “How to Prepare for Natural Disasters While Traveling” you can still catch it on my YouTube channel The Sophisticated Life. But these are some of the highlights! 
https://youtu.be/0hK0LseyX9E?si=B-MCsaQc3Xm_wRM2

And let me tell you about the last one——we are already seeing Flu in our hospital and COVID is NOT going anywhere! So protect yourself! Wear your masks 😷 and please get vaccinated! 

#naturaldisasters #naturaldisastersurvival #traveltips101 #traveladvice #travelguides #travelbloggervibes #travelexperts #travelblogs #blacktravelblog #moroccoearthquake #mauifires
  • These memes have been cracking me up all week! 😂😂 
Ever since my husband @parrishu70 and I met a couple in Champagne France 🇫🇷 with the most intense, printed color coded itinerary that even included times for naps 😴 -I kid you not-we have used their terminology of “trips” vs “vacations”. 

TRIPS: usually go go go. You are in a city or place for a limited time so you want to see it all. These are tours and reservations and an itinerary. IE our group trip to Morocco. 5 cities in 9 days! Things have to be organized, you may pack outfits based on activities that are planned and you may be tired when you get back. Hence the term “I need a vacation from my vacation”. 

VACATION: more relaxed. Go with the flow vs reservations and tours. Sleeping in in the mornings. Strolling around locations and popping into places. Relaxing on a beach all day for days at a time. Room service. Being lazy in a comfy bed. Going on a cruise. 

Now it is possible to have a mix of these 2! Over the years I have learned a lot from my husband and since he prefers vacations, even if we visit cities, I make sure we have time to relax and stroll around. AND as I have gotten older I definitely need to recharge with vacations. I do feel energized on trips thou lol. 

How about you? What’s your favorite? 

#tripvsvacation #funnymemes4ya #husbandmemes #couplestravel #couplesvacation #couplesgoal #blackcouplestravel #blackcouplestraveltoo #blacklovematters #blacklovecouples #theofficememes
  • Is anyone else holding on to summer like I am? Or are you ready for fall? I have no issue w less humid weather and crisper morning and evening air, I love pumpkin 🎃 but I do know that fall leads to winter and that IS not OK with me!! 

I am already planning my winter 🥶 escapes. And I live in Atlanta!! My skin gets dry, my hands and feet stay cold and I miss feeling the sun 🌞 on my skin!! Maybe it’s my island 🏝️ 🇯🇲 roots lol 

So which one are you? Summer? Fall? Or are you a winter or spring person? 

#summerlover #summerlovers #fall2023 #fallweather🍁 #summer2023☀️🏖🏝 #summer2023collection #travel2023 #travelexperts #blacktravelfeed #melaninmagic
  • My heart is heavy today. I am incredibly sad as I read reports and see the news about the earthquake in Morocco and the effects in Marrakech. 😔😔

As many of you know I traveled with 16 other adventurers for 9 days thru 5 cities in Morocco 🇲🇦 just 3 months ago!!! 

We met so many incredible people. Of course after being on the road that long together we felt close to our guides and drivers. I even had a meeting with two of the team members yesterday while they were in Marrakech and the earthquake happened a few hours later. 

My mind quickly went to them and all the people in my pictures wondering and hoping that they were safe. So far they are. But the death toll is over 1,000 and homes are crumbling. It’s a disaster. 

As a physician this also made me wonder—-are you prepared to handle a natural disaster while traveling? Do you know what to do? Do you have things in order before you go on vacation? Let’s talk about it tomorrow evening LIVE here on Instagram and Facebook at 5pm PT and 8 pm ET. You can share your thoughts on the Maui fires as well. My husband and I were in Maui in April and I’m still trying to comprehend that places we visited are gone. People have lost so much the past few months. Please stay safe. But let’s also get prepared! 

Sound off in the comments with any questions you would like answered tomorrow night! 

Swipe left to see pics from cities all over Morocco 🇲🇦 the people make the place ❤️

#moroccoearthquake #marrakech #marrakechearthquake #naturaldisaster #naturaldisasters #naturaldisastersurvival #survivaltips #earthquakemorocco
  • Do you have a favorite spa in your city 🌆 that you go to regularly?
I do but recently I tried a new one and it was VERY RELAXING! 

I have been to @stregisatl several times over the years but this was my first time using the spa. I had their version of an aromatherapy massage with hot stone add on. 

A few things I truly enjoyed..
1) the changing rooms and relaxation areas were spacious. There was even a “blush room” if you wanted to change in private. 
2) clean showers, saunas and steam rooms (the steam was too hot so I couldn’t stay in there 😣)
3) after my treatment I was offered Prosecco OR at St.Germaine spritzer! I went for the spritzer and it was pretty and refreshing 😋
4) the cool rags and cucumber slices-I took advantage of everything! Lol but it did help my headache 
5) it was not crowded-I always make weekday appointments for the spa. 
6) I was offered macarons and chocolates! I think this was a first for me. I received my own little tray and they were delicious! 
7) The St.Regis does Champagne 🍾sabrage every evening at 6pm. So I ended my spa day with a glass of Champagne 🥂!

The only down side is you have to be a hotel guest to use the pool. I brought my bathing suit ready to relax there and have a late lunch but nope. 

Have you been to this spa or a StRegis spa near you?

@stregishotels #stregisatlanta #stregisatl #buckheadatlanta #discoveratlanta @discoveratlanta #visitatlanta #luxuryatlanta

Black-Owned Businesses

black-owned businesses in asheville north carolina, hood huggers tours, black-owned business in asheville, asheville north carolina, black-owned restaurants in Asheville, downtown Asheville,

Black-Owned Businesses in Asheville, North Carolina.

September 22, 2021
black-owned rosé wine brands to sip on this summer, rosé wines, black-owned wines, rosé wines, summer wines, black-owned wines, black-owned wineries, mcbride wines, black girl magic wines, brown estate wines,

Black-Owned Rosé Wine Brands to Sip on this Summer.

April 27, 2022
atlanta black-owned restaurants, black-owned restaurants in atlanta, atlanta restaurants, brunch in atlanta, atlanta restaurants

45+ Black-Owned Restaurants in Atlanta You Should Support!

May 15, 2022
black-owned wineries, black-owned businesses, black-owned wines, black winemakers, black wines, black owned wines, black owned wineries, black podcasts, wine, wineries, winemakers. wine regions, napa valley, wine tasting

50+ Black-Owned Wineries & Businesses You Should Follow & Support.

March 15, 2022

Explore the U.S.A

san francisco golden gate bridge, most romantic cities in the us, valentines day

The Most Romantic Cities in the US for Getaways.

February 12, 2023
photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
things to do in malibu california, malibu restaurants, wine tasting in malibu, malibu beaches, shopping in malibu

Things to do in Malibu California this Weekend.

March 21, 2022
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Myrtle Beach Restaurant Guide for Foodies!

The Best Myrtle Beach Restaurants: A Guide for Foodies!

April 12, 2023
15 fun facts about quebec city canada, travel to canada, canadian

15 Fun Quebec City Facts

April 12, 2023
Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers! Everything you need to know to attend this magical event! Includes information on purchasing tickets, preparing for the event, costs and what to expect at Diner en Blanc!

Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers!

September 19, 2019
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

April 12, 2023
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

How I spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi! A Desert Safari, Camel rides, Burj Khalifa, High Tea at Burj Al Arab, Shopping in Souks, Visiting the Grand Mosque and so much more!!

How I Spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi!

Visit Jamaica: Land I Love!

Cruising the Mediterranean Sea on Norwegian Epic!

morocco travel planning guide, morocco travel guide, morocco first time visitors guide, merzouga, the sahara, glamping

Planning a trip to Morocco: First-Timer’s Visitor Guide

July 29, 2023
luxury cruise lines, cruises, cruising, top cruise lines,

Top Rated Luxury Cruise Lines!

June 27, 2023
napa valley sign, black-owned wineries in napa and sonoma

Black-Owned Wineries in Napa and Sonoma.

June 19, 2023
river cruise vs ocean cruise: which one is better, river cruising, ocean cruise liner,

River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Which One is Right For You?

April 11, 2023
The Sophisicated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 The Sophisticated Life

The Sophisicated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Wine
  • Food
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Travel With Me
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life