Julianne Hough and Nina Dobrev Share the Inspiration Behind Their Healthy Wine Company
"The foundation of our friendship is hanging out, talking about life, and drinking wine," says actor Nina Dobrev. "It felt like the natural next step for us to launch a wine brand together."
She and fellow actor and bestie Julianne Hough had been exploring such a venture for a while, but the pandemic was the catalyst that made it happen. "Jules and I could put more of our time into it then," says Dobrev. We wanted to create something unique to us — and that everybody would enjoy."
In March, Fresh Vine Wine was born. The wines are produced in the Napa Valley and are low-carb, low-calorie, gluten-free, and vegan and keto-friendly. They include a chardonnay, a pinot noir, and a new Limited Reserve Napa Cabernet.
Michael Muller
Here, Dobrev and Hough talk about their passion for a healthy glass of the grape.
What Made You Want to Create a Clean Wine?
Hough: "Both of us have lived holistic lifestyles, and we've discovered what works for our bodies. I stopped drinking wine because it would give me a hangover, or I would feel sick when it touched my mouth. Nina is vegan and gluten-free, and we thought it was sad that we weren't going to be able to share a glass of wine together. When we think about how we want to enjoy our lives, it's having a glass of wine with friends and not feeling bad physically or emotionally. We realized that didn't exist." (Related: Cameron Diaz's New Clean Wine Brand Is Making Happy Hours Healthier)
How Does Wine Factor Into Your Healthy Lifestyle?
Dobrev: "A balanced lifestyle is important. To us, it's about friendship and connection. We want our wine to bring people together and create experiences. It's all about balance, being active, taking care of your body, and enjoying life. You don't have to compromise and choose only one." (Related: Is FitVine Wine Actually Healthy?)
What Do You Eat for Energy?
Hough: "I pick a word to focus on each year, and this year the word was health. I consciously thought about nutrition and what I was putting into my body, and that reframed my relationship with food. Instead of limiting what I can eat, I ask myself, 'What's going to make me feel revitalized and vibrant?' For me, that's nourishing green vegetables and fruits. I also started an Ayurvedic diet with lots of lentils, mung beans, and spices because they make my belly feel better. It's about eating to feel good. I've spent my life focused on my body and what it looks like. It was healthy enough to keep working, but on the inside, I didn't feel good. Now I feel the best I've ever felt."
Dobrev: "I didn't think I could do a vegan diet. Much of that was in my head, and it's been interesting to see how quickly that shifted once I took the leap. The impetus was mainly environmental. Once I found out what we were doing to the Earth, it weighed on my heart too much. So I'm on this new journey. I have more energy than I've ever had." (If you want to reduce your environmental impact, try the planetary health diet.)
Do You Have a Wine-Drinking Ritual?
Hough: "I love a glass in the tub. I have candles, an Epsom salts bath, and a glass of wine. I use it as a way to nurture myself. It's about self-care."
Dobrev: "For me it's about celebrating the little things. For so long, even when something good happened, I would be like, 'Okay, what's next?' With this company, for every little thing that happens, we stop and celebrate. That has been really fun."
