From Passion to Pour: How Two Georgia Women Are Reshaping Wine Culture with Marble Wines
By: Alyssa Wright
In an industry often dominated by tradition and exclusivity, Marble Wines stands out with a refreshingly different approach. Co-founders Latoya S. Jordan and Brianna Shelko are building a wine brand that puts consumers first, creating products designed for enjoyment rather than expert approval.
“Unlike many wineries that create wines to impress critics or sommeliers, we built our brand by directly engaging with our target consumers—primarily women who enjoy wine but feel intimidated by the industry’s sometimes haughty atmosphere,” explains Shelko, who brings award-winning social media marketing expertise to the partnership.
The Atlanta-based company operates as a private label, partnering with talented winemakers to create blends specifically for their core market. “In an industry where complexity and exclusivity are often celebrated, we’ve deliberately crafted blends approachable and palatable to everyday wine lovers,” says Jordan, who entered the wine space after working with a client in the industry and forming valuable connections.
Their consumer-centered philosophy shapes everything from taste profiles to packaging. “We’ve focused on making our wines visually inviting through our packaging and in taste profile—creating an experience that welcomes people into the world of wine rather than keeping them at a distance,” Jordan notes.
Photo Courtesy: Marble Wines / Latoya S. Jordan and Brianna Shelko
While Marble Wines maintains nationwide distribution through direct-to-consumer online sales, they recently expanded their physical retail presence by entering the Brooklyn, NY market in March. “We’re currently available in two boutique wine shops in Bedford-Stuyvesant, which has been an exciting development for our brand,” Jordan shares.
Despite this growth, their hearts remain in Georgia. “As Georgia girls, our primary focus is establishing distribution in our home state. We’re actively working to navigate distribution here, which, as many in the industry know, can be challenging,” says Shelko. “Our immediate goal is to secure placement in local Georgia retail stores and restaurants, making our wines more accessible to customers who support us through our online channel.”
Breaking into the wine industry hasn’t been without obstacles, particularly as newcomers in a field historically lacking diversity. “Securing meetings with distributors, who serve as gatekeepers between us and retailers, has been particularly challenging,” Jordan admits. “When faced with distribution barriers, we first built a direct-to-consumer model, establishing a strong online presence and forming genuine connections with our customers.”
This necessity became their strength. “We’ve built a community around Marble Wines that feels personal and authentic precisely because we had to find alternative market paths,” Jordan continues. “The distribution challenge reinforced our consumer-focused philosophy. We doubled down on listening directly to our customers and developing products they genuinely wanted.”
Exciting developments are on the horizon for Marble Wines. The company is currently developing a sparkling wine for their second blend. “While we sourced grapes from California for our inaugural blend, we’re exploring partnerships with local Georgia vineyards for this sparkling offering,” Shelko reveals. “This connection to our home state is meaningful to us as Georgia girls and entrepreneurs.”
The new sparkling wine will maintain the refreshing, fruit-forward profile their customers appreciate. “We’re developing something celebratory yet approachable—perfect for both special occasions and everyday enjoyment,” adds Jordan.
What makes Marble Wine distinctive in today’s crowded marketplace? “Our commitment to approachability without compromising quality,” Shelko states proudly. “When you pick up one of our bottles, you’re getting a thoughtfully crafted wine that is fruit-forward and refreshing, with balanced flavor profiles that don’t overwhelm the palate.”
Looking ahead five years, the founders envision a lasting impact both locally and industry-wide. “We aspire to be contributors who have participated and added value to the vibrant wine culture in Georgia in a meaningful way—celebrating our region’s growing viticultural potential and creating economic opportunities for local grape growers and hospitality partners,” says Jordan.
Shelko adds that their vision extends beyond sales figures: “Within the broader industry, we’re working to build a culture of inclusivity and innovation. As a brand, we’d like to be remembered for dismantling unnecessary barriers and proving that consumer preferences matter just as much as traditional industry standards.”
For Jordan and Shelko, success is measured in connections formed rather than just bottles sold. “We’re not just selling wine; we’re creating spaces—both physical and virtual—where people can come together, share experiences, and feel a sense of belonging through our products,” Jordan reflects. “Every bottle of Marble Wine represents an invitation to connect.”
Marble Wines products are available for purchase online at marblewines.com and in select retail locations in Brooklyn, NY. Georgia distribution coming soon.
Published by Jeremy S.
