Meet Justin Trabue

We recently connected with Justin Trabue and have shared our conversation below.

Justin, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My mom has always said “surround yourself with those who lift you highest, who support the best version of you”. My work ethic comes from her in that she has always understood that although you are strong minded with layered values you can always stop to make sure you are not alone when you succeed. The best part about winning is seeing those you support and have grown with feel seen too.

My moms work ethic resonates with Ward Four Wines Motto, “wines of joy, no fuss”. Wine has the potential to connect complete strangers from different continents miles from both of your homes, wine has the potential to be enjoyed in solitude cozied up with a book, or in small intimate gatherings where memories will be made where you look back at for a lifetime. My moms work ethic will always be, you can have fun and live a fulfilled and joyous life.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Justin Michelle Ward Trabue and I am the owner & Wine Witch at Ward Four Wines based in Sonoma CA. Ward Four Wines specializes in minimal intervention winemaking practices, my fermentations start natively, either spontaneously in the cellar or through a pied de cuve, where a miniature fermentation will kick off about two weeks before the larger fermentation. They are a great way to check out what’s happening with the grapes and what to expect before everything comes in to the winery. My red wines go through a slow, cool fermentation after a three to four day cold soak, punching down or foot stomping my grapes twice a day for gentle extraction. Everything is aged in neutral barrel in addition to a few new french barrels.

Ward Four is a 100% grant funded winery, as people continue to support and purchase these wines I have the opportunity to continue to grow! I make 5 wines, Muscat Blanc, Viognier, Mourvedre, Barbera, & Petite Sirah sourcing from vineyards as far north as Mendocino CA and south as Paso Robles CA.

I thought up Ward Four Wines back in 2013 when I started my freshman year at Cal Poly SLO studying wine & viticulture. I had just moved across the country from Washington DC, and had only been to California twice before. I took a leap of faith in 2013 moving for wine, coming from a city mind-sight and engraining myself into the quiet peace of California wine country was the best decision I ever made. Each offering pays tribute to my family dynamics, showing how wine evokes emotions and how moments in time can be captured in one of life’s simplest pleasures, a bottle of wine.

My parents inspired my love of wine from a young age, some may even may before I was born! My parents visited Paso Robles in 1994, went to JUSTIN vineyard, and I was born a few months later 🙂 A true testament to our love for wine. I always grew up with wine on the table! My family inspires everything that i do, I make wines that they would drink!

I am sourcing from vineyards that honor ethical labor guidelines while using sustainable farming methods. Without the stewards of our land, we would not have our beautiful bounty season after season. The vineyards I source from follow Fair labor practices – vineyard stewards wage, health care, proper PPE especially during inclement weather. They are Family owned. The grapes are Hand picked.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Hospitality — not just fine dining, but the coziness you felt when going to a childhood friends home hanging out eating food and enjoying company. At Ward Four Wines I believe in welcoming people into my life and every time they enjoy a bottle they receive a little bit of my sunshine. 2.Hobbies — I enjoy wine and winemaking so much because of the hobbies that I have. From films and movies to cooking and museum hopping, my love and patronage for the arts is vast. I pair my wines every order with different films, songs, and shows that my consumers can then enjoy and share with their loved ones.
3.Adventure — Adventure is out there, all we have to do is look for it! When I moved across the country from washington dc to california I was so nervous, but I took a leap of faith. Years later I took the leap to study abroad in Australia which led to my first of many harvests, from Santa Barbara to New Zealand, Napa to South Africa and eventually settling. down in Sonoma to make my own wines. Each adventure I have gone on I have led me to specific styles and likes regarding winemaking. I am on a constant adventure!

Don’t be afraid to take chances, live in the moment, change your path to what brings you joy!

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Funding!! As a small Black Woman owned winery I make up less than .01% of the wine industry. I moved to California in 2013 to study wine, graduated in 2017, and worked my first harvest in 2016, having worked 16 vintages across the world I have worked hard to build communities that make me my best self and ensure I can lift them up as well, collaboration is key!

I am currently applying for grants and funding, the best way to support Ward Four Wines is by purchasing wine and subscribing to my mailing list! Each bottle purchased ensures I can continue to make this fabulous wine!

I am 100% grant funded currently. In 2021 my friend Diana of Responsible Hedonist told me about the Courier Fresh Fund grant, a UK based grant for Black business owners in the UK and US who have great ideas to start or grow a business. It is an incredible honor to be a Black woman owned and operated winery based out of Sonoma California. This grant aided in my hauling costs, bottling and packaging, legal and financial fees associated with setting up a wine business, as well as purchasing equipment for my first vintage.

In 2022 I joined the Lift Collective Entrepreneurship Program, a Texas based organization dedicated to making space for underrepresented wine entrepreneurs. Through this grant program I learned the importance of Business Growth & Work/Life Balance as well as well as connected with other budding entrepreneurs whom I could confide in for advice! Lift Collective aided in my grape contracts and ensured I can get these tasty wines your way!

People often forget the safety, compliance, and logistical aspects to running a wine brand, I have The Roots Fund to thank for ensuring I had the funding for insurance policies, as well as custom crush fees and barrels.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Craft & Cluster Heather Daenitz steven@chestercooleyphotography.com Jordan Rhema Labbe

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