Julianne Hough and Nina Dobrev Are the Latest Stars to Launch a Wine Brand

Lots of business ideas are born over a glass of wine, and that’s exactly what happened with former Dancing With the Stars judge Julianne Hough and The Vampire Diaries actor Nina Dobrev. The BFFs like to practice active, holistic activities and drink wine together, but when it came to sipping a low-calorie, low-carb, and gluten-free wine, they hit a wall.

Hough and Dobrev launched Fresh Vine Wines this week. Their new brand includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and rosé, all stemming from wine grapes sourced throughout California and bottled in Napa. Jamey Whetstone, best known for making Turley Wine Cellars’ wines, is the professional tasked with rolling out the first vintages (2018 and 2019). All but the rosé are available now (but you can pre-order the pink stuff for later this spring).

AD spoke to Hough to learn more about her favorite wine gadgets, the surprising place where she likes to sip a glass, and how she’s staying connected with friends through wine during the pandemic.

Architectural Digest: What inspired you and Nina to start a company together, and why wine?

Julianne Hough: What always kept us close were our shared values and how aligned we were in how we lived our life. To be able to create something that you love is amazing, but to be able to do it with someone who you love, respect, and value? There’s really nothing like it.

How are you maintaining friendships and socializing with friends over wine during the pandemic?

We started with wine nights over Zoom. Once we understood ‘Oh, this is longer than a two-week isolation period’ and we felt safe enough, we got our COVID tests and created our bubble of friendship and kept it really small. That allowed us to have socially distant backyard hangs where we could put the fire on and reflect on what was happening in the world. That was really enjoyable, to be able to have a friend during a hard time and share that over a glass of wine.

How do you like to unwind with a glass of wine at home?

I’m not usually one to drink alone, but this year it was tougher to connect, so I usually call a friend, or a sibling, or my mom, and we’re able to still share that time together. The only other time I drink alone is if I’m in the bathtub! There’s something about having a glass of wine in a bubble bath, reading a book, and just feeling that unwinding sensation at the end of a tough day.

What products do you recommend for at-home wine storage?

I have a small wine fridge because it helps me stay connected with what I’m drinking, how often I’m drinking it, and which wines I like the most. I also have the Enomatic. It’s pretty expensive, but it’s basically preservation for your wine. If it’s just me at home and I want that glass of wine in the bathtub, I’m not wasting a whole bottle. I love my electric wine opener too, from Wine Enthusiast. It’s a big party trick. People always love it!

You spent two years researching the gap in the wine category. What did that involve? At-home tastings or visits to winery tasting rooms?

The biggest thing we noticed was that as people were trying to create wines that were low calorie, low carb, and with no additives, it really compromised the taste and the experience. We wanted to work with a winemaker to achieve that balance of premium quality wine. To find somebody like Jamey [Whetstone], who has those same values, was a win-win for everyone. It’s all about balance, baby!

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Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest