BIZNOTE: West Seattle winemaker launches Jøyus, ‘non-alcoholic wine that tastes like wine’

West Seattle entrepreneur Jess Selander says her brand of wine, Jøyus, is “the first premium alcohol-removed brand that not only tastes as amazing as alcoholic wine, it’s actually made by a non-drinker.” She says it’s a fulfillment of her dream “to make a non-alcoholic wine that tastes like wine and to change how we think about drinking.” This month is “Sober October,” so she is getting the word out about Jøyus, which has two varieties on the market – sparkling white wine and sparkling rosé, both available at Wildwood Market in Fauntleroy (9214 45th SW) and online at drinkjoyus.com. Selander says she first started pursuing this dream five years ago, but stalled because “the technology and processes were not great.” During the pandemic, she decided to give it another try. Though she and her business are based here, the wine is made in California: “The process starts with alcoholic wine, then the alcohol is gently removed, all while preserving the delicate flavors of the wine.” Jøyus wines are on the dry side, she adds, and that means low-calorie – 90 calories in an entire bottle. She has one more dream: “I’m not setting out to be the only premium non-alcoholic winery whose products actually taste like wine. I’m doing this to normalize non-drinking culturally. I dream of the day I can walk into any grocery store and pick up a couple of different bottles of great tasting non-alcoholic wines. I want to go to a party and find there’s already a bottle of non-alcoholic wine there. And that means people need variety.” (She’s working on getting Jøyus into a variety of additional retail outlets, too.)

9 Replies to "BIZNOTE: West Seattle winemaker launches Jøyus, 'non-alcoholic wine that tastes like wine'"

  • Sunflower October 3, 2021 (11:44 am)

    👏

    This is awesome, good work, look forward to trying it :)

  • My two cents … October 3, 2021 (3:22 pm)

    Can’t really tell, but is this wine being made and created specifically by this company, or are they taking contract wine and putting their own label on? 

  • S October 3, 2021 (5:48 pm)

    Fabulous! I can’t wait to try some, and I love your concept. 

  • Rachel October 3, 2021 (6:45 pm)

    YAAS! We need more of this. Can’t wait to try it.

  • ADRIENNE D October 3, 2021 (8:14 pm)

    Fantastic! I’ve been enjoying all the NA libations for a couple of years now and so excited to know a local businesswoman is taking this on! I’d love to meet and learn more about the experience!

  • Runner October 4, 2021 (7:02 am)

    Good luck, great message!

  • JESSICA VIDICAN-NEISIUS October 4, 2021 (10:24 am)

    How cool! Maybe you can get Luann De Lesseps to be a spokesmodel. Also, if you need any help with getting on the shelf, Retail Ready by Allison Ball is a great course for startup food businesses to get into the head of the grocery buyer. Been a great course for my own businesses, worth checking out if you need guidance! Love the concept, can’t wait to try it!

    • K October 7, 2021 (11:50 am)

      Cabaret star and pirate aficionado Lu has her own brand, but maybe Leah will ;-)

  • Michelle S October 5, 2021 (9:21 am)

    Sober 17 years ….. I go to a function and I’m asked would u like a cocktail and my response is if I could I would but I’m an alcoholic and that is not the type of “cocktail” I can have so then you ask what other choices do you have?????  Juice, soda. water. and my favorite one COFFEE!!!! So in a nut shell I want to say THANK YOU  Jess good luck to you and one more thing the name ROCKS this story made my day!!!!! 

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