The work of one badass Black woman from Chicago, Love Cork Screw is more than just wine. It’s a whole mood.

If you look up the word “tenacious” in the dictionary, there’s a good chance you’ll find a picture of Love Cork Screw owner, Chrishon Lampley.

No matter the setbacks or the impossible odds stacked against her, this strong-willed Chicago-native doesn’t have time for doubts or giving up. When things go sideways, that’s when you can expect Chrishon to be at the top of her game. And that’s exactly how the story of Love Cork Screw, an award-winning, Chicago-based, woman-owned and operated wine brand, began.

how it all started

No matter the setbacks or the impossible odds stacked against her, this strong-willed Chicago-native doesn’t have time for doubts or giving up. When things go sideways, that’s when you can expect Chrishon to be at the top of her game. And that’s exactly how the story of Love Cork Screw began.

It was Christmas morning when Chrishon got the call. A freak flood in the building of Chrishon’s thriving Chicago art and wine bar that she had co-founded several years prior had destroyed everything. When an insurance loophole didn’t cover the damages, Chrishon was forced to shutter the business. Finding herself back at ground zero, Chrishon’s instinct to pick herself up and figure out what was next kicked into high gear. She had been running a lifestyle blog and radio show for fun called, Love Cork Screw, where she frequently shared advice and tips on wine, entertaining, and relationships. In the aftermath of the flood, it dawned on Chrishon that Love Cork Screw was more than just a blog, it was a brand; her brand.

Love Cork Screw encompassed all the things that Chrishon was passionate about bringing together and sharing with others. And just like that, Chrishon’s mission to reinvent how we think about and experience wine was set in motion.

With more than 1 million bottles of wine sold nationally to date, a line of wine scented candles and self-care products, and an online marketplace dedicated to the sale and promotion of home goods and products exclusively made by people of color, Chrishon’s vision for Love Cork Screw is as relevant today as it was when she launched the lifestyle brand in 2013: “Love Cork Screw is more than just wine. It’s a whole mood.”

how it all started

When a freak flood destroyed her Chicago art and wine bar, entrepreneur Chrishon didn’t let the setback keep her down. Instead, she turned to her passion project – Love Cork Screw, a lifestyle brand focused on wine, entertaining, and relationships. With a mission to not only reinvent the wine industry but also to create a more inclusive and sustainable experience for all. Love Cork Screw has grown to sell over 1 million bottles of wine nationally, and also offers a line of wine-scented candles and self-care products that are ethically sourced. Chrishon’s story is one of resilience and determination, but also of compassion and community-building. In the aftermath of the flood that destroyed her business, Chrishon knew that she had to build something that would not only be successful but also would make a positive impact on the world.

Love Cork Screw was born out of this desire to not only provide an enjoyable wine experience, but also to support underrepresented communities and promote sustainable practices. From its very beginning, Love Cork Screw has been a brand that is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world and fostering a welcoming and inclusive community for all. “Love Cork Screw is more than just wine. It’s a whole mood,” says Chrishon, summing up the brand’s mission and spirit.