The wine industry is currently standing at a historical crossroads. For decades, the narrative of “fine wine” was written in the rolling hills of Bordeaux and the exclusive estates of Napa, defined by dusty cellars, impenetrable terminology, and a demographic of gatekeepers that rarely reflected the diversity of the modern world. But the glass is breaking. Today, a seismic shift is occurring—one where heritage is being challenged by intention, and exclusivity is being replaced by experience.
As we move into 2026, wine is no longer just a beverage; it is a medium for storytelling and community building. Modern consumers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are moving away from the “snobbery” of traditional viticulture. They are seeking brands that align with their values: sustainability, cultural relevance, and social impact. In this new landscape, the most successful brands aren’t just selling a vintage; they are selling a lifestyle.
Among this new guard of innovators is Aesthetic Wines, a brand that represents the pinnacle of this “approachable luxury” movement. Founded by Kora Franco, Aesthetic Wines is more than a California label; it is a manifesto for the modern drinker.
The Rise of the Bold and Resilient
The story of Aesthetic Wines does not begin in a corporate boardroom or a family-owned vineyard passed down through generations. It begins with a story of profound personal resilience. Kora Franco’s journey into the wine industry was born from a non-traditional upbringing. Orphaned at a young age, Franco found that throughout the various chapters of her life, wine became a consistent thread—a centerpiece for celebration, a marker of milestones, and a way for her chosen family to gather and acknowledge progress.
“The ethos of the brand is Bold, Ambitious, and Resilient,” Franco explains. These aren’t just marketing buzzwords; they are the pillars of her lived experience. Entering an industry where Black women represent less than 1% of brand owners, Franco understood that to succeed, she couldn’t just fit into the existing mold—she had to shatter it.
In a sector where gatekeeping is a common hurdle, Franco’s entry was met with the typical skepticism reserved for outsiders. “There were moments where I felt underestimated simply because I didn’t fit the industry’s conventional image of leadership,” she notes. However, by leaning into her identity and her unique perspective, she has crafted a brand that speaks to a demographic that the “old guard” has long ignored.
Aesthetic for HER: More Than a Bottle
What truly sets Aesthetic Wines apart in the crowded California market is its evolution into a holistic ecosystem. While many brands stop at the bottle, Franco has launched Aesthetic for HER, the world’s first all-women, wine-backed social club.
This isn’t your grandmother’s garden club. Aesthetic for HER is a curated community designed for accomplished, discerning women—entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and creators—who seek connection and elevation. By integrating a digital and in-person lifestyle platform with a traditional wine club, Franco has created a space where wine acts as the foundation for meaningful dialogue and collective empowerment.
“We want to create an ecosystem,” says Franco. “Wine is the foundation, but the focus is community.” By pairing her wine offerings with a curated candle line and wellness content, she has transformed the act of “having a glass of wine” into a sensory ritual of self-care and intentional hosting.
The Portfolio: Polished, Balanced, and Accessible
While the mission is social, the product is pure craftsmanship. Aesthetic Wines focuses on the “Big Three” of California viticulture, ensuring each varietal delivers the structure of a premium bottle without the intimidation factor.
- The California Cabernet Sauvignon ($39.99): This is the crown jewel for red wine lovers. Deep garnet in color, it offers a sophisticated profile of blackberry and cassis, balanced by the warmth of French vanilla and baking spices. It is smooth, moderate in tannins, and designed to be opened “without a second thought.”
- The California Chardonnay ($34.99): For those seeking brightness, the Chardonnay delivers notes of golden apple and pear with a soft, creamy finish. It bridges the gap between casual weeknight dinners and elevated celebrations, proving that “buttery” and “crisp” can coexist in harmony.
- The California Sauvignon Blanc ($29.99): Signalized by its pale straw color, this wine is a masterclass in freshness. With expressive grapefruit and melon aromas, it reflects the warmth of the California sun while maintaining a crisp, complex acid profile.
“As we move through the 2026 season, we are seeing a definitive pivot toward ‘intentional luxury,’ where the American consumer is prioritizing brands that offer a seamless blend of high-end craftsmanship and cultural soul. The trend today isn’t just about the vintage or the region; it’s about how a wine fits into a holistic lifestyle—moving away from the gatekept exclusivity of the past and toward a more inclusive, sensory experience that values storytelling, sustainability, and the empowerment of diverse voices in the vineyard.”
— Joseph DeAcetis, Editor at StyleLujo.com and Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology
The Future: Growth with Intention
As we look toward the future of the industry, Aesthetic Wines serves as a blueprint for what a modern, legacy-driven brand should look like. Franco’s goals for the coming years are focused on “growth with intention rather than scale for the sake of scale.”
For the modern consumer, Aesthetic Wines offers a rare combination: the high-quality sourcing of a boutique California vineyard and the cultural soul of a brand that actually stands for something. In a world of “approachable luxury,” Kora Franco is proving that the most sophisticated thing you can do is be yourself, trust your palate, and lead with love.
Whether you are an experienced collector or someone just beginning to explore the world of wine, the message from Aesthetic Wines is clear: There are no rules here. No pressure. Just pour, relax, and enjoy the movement.
Where to Experience the Aesthetic:
The full collection, including the signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, is available direct-to-consumer at www.aestheticwines.com.
In the world of viticulture, true luxury is increasingly defined by intention rather than just heritage. Kora Franco, the visionary owner of Aesthetic Wines, is at the forefront of this shift, blending high-end craftsmanship with a powerful mission of resilience and community. By launching Aesthetic for HER—the world’s first all-women, wine-backed social club—Franco has transformed the traditional wine brand into a holistic lifestyle ecosystem. Her journey from a non-traditional upbringing to a leader in a male-dominated industry serves as the foundation for a brand that is as bold and ambitious as the women it serves.
Joseph DeAcetis: Can you share the story behind Aesthetic Wines and what inspired you to enter the wine industry?
Kora Franco: I didn’t have a traditional childhood; I was actually orphaned at a young age, but throughout my life, wine became closely tied to moments of celebration and connection. Whenever I reached a milestone, my close friends and family would come together over wine tastings, marking progress and persistence. Those experiences shaped the foundation of Aesthetic Wines. The ethos of the brand—Bold, Ambitious, and Resilient—represents my lived experiences.
Joseph DeAcetis: How has your experience as a female entrepreneur influenced the way you approach wine production and branding?
Kora Franco: The wine industry is still largely shaped by men, particularly in vineyard ownership and brand leadership, and I’m very aware of how that influences whose voices are most visible. As a woman building a brand within this space, I take that imbalance into account in both my business approach and my values.
Due to this, we’ve created Aesthetic for HER, the first all-women, wine-backed social club in the world to integrate a wine club within a larger lifestyle and community platform. Essentially, we want to create an ecosystem. Aesthetic for HER is a curated circle of accomplished, discerning women who gather for connection, access, and elevation through both digital and in-person experiences. Wine is the foundation, but the focus is community—creating space for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and visibility. Together, Aesthetic Wines and Aesthetic for HER expand what wine culture can look like by elevating it through collective empowerment.
Joseph DeAcetis: Aesthetic Wines focuses on approachable luxury. How do you balance craftsmanship and quality with accessibility for wine lovers of all levels?
Kora Franco: For me, approachable luxury is about removing intimidation without compromising integrity. Craftsmanship and quality are non-negotiable, but how those qualities are communicated and experienced matters just as much. I want people to feel confident opening a bottle of Aesthetic Wines whether they’re just beginning their wine journey or have been collecting for years. The goal is to create wines that feel elevated but never intimidating.
Joseph DeAcetis: What was the most challenging part of building a legacy-driven brand in a traditionally male-dominated industry?
Kora Franco: One of the biggest challenges was not being taken seriously at the beginning, especially in an industry where gatekeeping is still very real. Wine has long been shaped by tradition and hierarchy, and as someone entering from a non-traditional background, I often found my vision questioned before it was fully understood.
As a Black woman, that experience was intensified. There were moments where I felt underestimated simply because I didn’t fit the industry’s conventional image of leadership. Rather than letting that get to me, I became even more intentional about building a brand that possesses integrity, cultural relevance, and an approachable spirit. In doing so, my goal has been not only to build something lasting, but to help create space for others who deserve to be seen and taken seriously. This is what ultimately led to the creation of Aesthetic for HER.
Joseph DeAcetis: How do you envision Aesthetic Wines fitting into everyday lifestyle and intentional hosting moments for your consumers?
Kora Franco: I see Aesthetic Wines as something that naturally fits into everyday rituals, not just special occasions. It’s designed to elevate intentional moments such as hosting with ease, unwinding at home, or gathering with friends, colleagues, and family.
Aesthetic for HER extends that experience beyond the glass. As a lifestyle platform, it offers content for entrepreneurs, women in corporate spaces, and creators, alongside wellness, self-care, and elevated digital and in-person experiences. Essentially, we are reinforcing the idea that enjoyment and balance can go hand in hand. When paired with our candle line, the experience becomes fully sensory, bringing wine, scent, and intention together to support modern living.
Joseph DeAcetis: Can you describe the tasting profiles of your California Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, and what makes each unique?
Kora Franco: Our California Cabernet Sauvignon is smooth and fruit-forward, with notes of dark berries and a touch of oak. It’s rich but easygoing—the kind of red you can open without a second thought.
The Chardonnay is fresh and balanced, with hints of apple, pear, and citrus, plus a soft, creamy finish. It’s bright, comforting, and incredibly versatile.
Our Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and refreshing, with clean citrus notes and a light, herbal edge. It’s vibrant and perfect for everyday moments. All three wines are made to feel effortless; there are no “wine rules” or pressure here. Just pour, relax, and enjoy.
Joseph DeAcetis: How do you see modern wine brands reshaping traditional luxury categories?
Kora Franco: Modern wine brands are redefining luxury by shifting the focus from exclusivity to experience and intention. Instead of relying solely on heritage or status, modern brands create value through authenticity, transparent storytelling, and community.
The traditional image of luxury wine feels outdated to me; in my opinion, those days are long gone. However, modern brands aren’t abandoning tradition—we are evolving it, making luxury more personal, inclusive, and aligned with how people live today.
Joseph DeAcetis: For someone new to wine, what advice would you give for selecting wines that are both enjoyable and sophisticated?
Kora Franco: I’d say start with wines that are made to be approachable and easy to enjoy, like Aesthetic Wines. Beginning with wines designed to feel inviting allows you to build confidence and discover what you genuinely enjoy.
Also, don’t overthink it—trust your taste and keep it simple. You don’t need to know all the terminology to enjoy great wine. Sophistication doesn’t come from price or labels; it comes from intention. Choose wine that feels true to you and don’t be afraid to explore. The best wine is the one you feel confident opening and sharing.
Joseph DeAcetis: What role does sustainability or sourcing play in your winemaking process?
Kora Franco: Sustainability plays an important role in how we source. We partner with vineyards that prioritize responsible, eco-conscious practices, including reduced chemical use, natural vineyard management, and thoughtful water conservation. By choosing growers who share these values, Aesthetic Wines supports environmental stewardship while helping preserve the land and surrounding ecosystem.
Joseph DeAcetis: Looking ahead, what are your goals for Aesthetic Wines in terms of growth and expanding the brand’s lifestyle presence?
Kora Franco: The goal is to grow with intention rather than scale for the sake of scale. We want to expand thoughtfully through new releases while staying true to our philosophy of balance, approachability, and craftsmanship. At the same time, I see the brand continuing to evolve beyond the bottle through Aesthetic for HER and our sensory products, building an elevated experience that empowers our community.
Where to Buy
Available direct to consumer at www.aestheticwines.com
