Chris Wachira is making waves in the wines business in California, United States as the first Kenyan-born winemaker in the region.
Wachira who is also a nurse holds a doctorate in healthcare system leadership from the University of San Francisco. She started her winery business, Wachira Wines, in 2017.
She was driven by her passion for winemaking and her commitment to improving science and exploring cause and effect.
This spilled over into her love for viticulture, the study of the science of grapes and their culture.
Wachira’s love for winemaking began when she started collecting varietals that celebrated Kenyan culture and values.
She wanted to create wines that evoked memories of the special moments she shared with her family back in Nairobi. With the help of mentors, Wachira expanded her winery to become one of the top-selling brands in California.
Her five varietals – muscat, sparkling wine, cabernet sauvington, zinfandel black label and chardonnay – are all reminiscent of Kenyan culture and values. Her wines are known for being fruitier and lighter, and are usually served chilled.
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Wachira sources her grapes from Napa, Paso Robles and Lodi. Each of her brands is associated with one of the big five safari animals from Kenya (elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, lion, and leopard). Wachira said her goal is to “take Californian grapes on an African safari.”
In an interview with The Manual, Wachira explained that she struggled to find wines that complemented the cuisine of her mother and grandmother. She was also bothered by the lack of representation of people like herself as a winemaker or wine experts.
“I struggled to identify wines that complemented my mother’s and grandmother’s cuisine. It also bothered me that I did not see myself represented behind the counter as a winemaker or as a wine expert,” she said.
Wachira believes that representation matters not only in seeing oneself in positions of power but also in shaping our perceptions of what we’re capable of and turning even our most outrageous dreams into attainable realities.
Despite her winemaking success, Wachira has also made strides in healthcare. Her family is described as cross-cultural ambassadors, building community bridges and cultivating memorable experiences worth savoring.
Wachira’s winery is more than just a business. It’s a celebration of her heritage and culture and a symbol of the attainable realities that representation can bring.
Her wines have received positive reviews and have been praised for their unique flavor profiles, and she is an inspiration to many in the winemaking industry.
Wachira’s success as the first Kenyan-born winemaker in California is a testament to her passion, drive, and commitment to excellence. Her winery is a celebration of Kenyan culture and values, and her journey is a reminder that representation matters and can turn even the most outrageous dreams into attainable realities.