Lush Life Brands

Natasha Williams, a Cincinnati native, founded Lush Life Brands LLC in 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Before fully transitioning to the wine industry, Williams had a 23-year career in human resources and talent acquisition, and also worked as a bartender. She studied Communication Studies at the University of Cincinnati and holds a Level 1 WSET Certification. Williams established Lush Life Brands with the goal of making wine enjoyable and accessible, particularly for people of color, and to support minority and women-owned winemakers. The company functions as a wine distribution and concierge service, emphasizing unique and underrepresented wine brands, including those that are Black-owned, Brown-owned, and women-owned, to the Ohio market. Lush Life Brands is recognized as Ohio's only Black woman-owned licensed wine distributor. In downtown Cincinnati, the Lush Life Tasting Room & Studios provides educational experiences, offering various wine tasting options like sweet, white, red, and mixed wine sessions. The tasting room features wines from brands such as Ibest, Bedvyne, Mom Juice, and Don Luchi. Williams also created the annual Blk Wine Fest, an event dedicated to celebrating Black-owned wine brands and producers, which USA Today named one of its 10 Best New Festivals in 2024. The Blk Wine Fest has achieved sold-out attendance for its initial two years, and the company additionally hosts the Cincy's Rosé Wine Festival, which has also sold out. Williams aims to expand the distribution of minority-owned brands through partnerships with major retailers. Lush Life Brands is notable for its role in increasing representation within the wine industry by actively promoting diverse wine brands and creating inclusive environments for wine enthusiasts.