We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aaliyah Nitoto. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with AALIYAH below.

AALIYAH, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

Honestly, it wasn’t the right time for me when I started. Looking back, I wish I’d had the courage to start earlier, but one of the biggest things that held me back was the perception of what it takes to start a winery. Most wineries begin with hundreds of thousands, sometimes even millions, of dollars. I didn’t have that. When I finally did take the leap, I started with $10,000 of my own savings and $20,000 from a friend—a total of $30,000, which, by most standards, isn’t enough to start a winery. Wineries are traditionally built around owning land, buying expensive equipment, and having significant resources. I didn’t have any of that.

The challenge of starting with so little made me hesitate, but it also forced me to be resourceful and creative. I started small—working out of a shipping container, using equipment I could afford, and focusing on perfecting my craft. If I had started earlier, I might have found ways to overcome my fears sooner, but I also might not have appreciated the resilience and ingenuity it took to build something from almost nothing.

Now, I can look back and see how far I’ve come. Yes, I wish I’d started sooner, but starting when I did taught me how to make the most of what I had. That’s a lesson I carry with me every day, and it’s shaped the identity of my winery in a way I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi! I’m Aaliyah Nitoto, the founder and winemaker of Free Range Flower Winery, based in Livermore, California. My journey into winemaking started with two childhood fascinations—flowers and the mystery of wine. As a kid, I was captivated by flowers, their beauty, their scent, and their connection to nature. Later, I became equally intrigued by wine, mostly because it was the “forbidden” drink I wasn’t allowed to have. That curiosity led me to attempt making wine at just ten years old. My first “batch” was a mix of Tabasco sauce, grapes, and water—a concoction that no one would drink, including me. I was so disappointed, but it planted the seed of a lifelong fascination: how do you actually make wine?

Years later, I realized I could combine my two passions—flowers and winemaking—into something truly special. This led me to revive the ancient art of crafting wine made from flowers. Free Range Flower Winery, which I started in 2018, is the result of that passion. We create premium wines made entirely from sustainably grown, organically farmed flowers like rose, lavender, marigold, and hibiscus. These wines are unlike anything most people have ever tasted—elegant, aromatic, and truly one-of-a-kind.

What makes our wines even more special is how sustainable they are. Flowers use significantly less water than grapes, and our production processes are designed with sustainability in mind, from composting organic materials to sourcing flowers locally and organically. For me, this isn’t just about making wine—it’s about creating a better future for the industry and for the planet.

I’m incredibly proud of the fact that Free Range Flower Winery started with just $30,000 and a big dream. I worked out of a shipping container with small-scale equipment, learning every step of the way. Today, we’re the only winery in California producing flower wines, and I’m committed to challenging stereotypes as a Black woman in an industry that hasn’t always been inclusive. My mission is to create wines that celebrate joy, diversity, and innovation while honoring the women of history who pioneered this craft.

For those who are new to our wines, they’re more than just a drink—they’re an experience, a celebration of nature, history, and creativity. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a foodie, or just curious about something new, I hope our wines inspire you to see wine in a whole new way.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

I manufacture my products myself, and the journey to figuring it all out was a real labor of love. When I started Free Range Flower Winery, I had to learn everything from scratch because no one else I knew was making wine from flowers—especially not in California. As the first to do this here, there wasn’t a roadmap or a guide I could follow.

I dove into history books to learn how flower wines were made in ancient times. Flower wine is an ancient tradition, but I’ve given it a modern twist to suit today’s palate. While I honor the history of this craft, I wanted to create wines that are vibrant, fresh, and approachable for modern wine lovers. Finding that balance took a lot of trial and error, experimenting with different flowers and fermentation techniques until I discovered how to bring out their best flavors and aromas.

I also reached out to wineries, breweries, and distilleries to learn about their equipment and processes. While they were working with grapes or other ingredients, I adapted their tools and methods to work with flowers. It took time to figure out what worked best, but those early days taught me the importance of being resourceful, creative, and willing to experiment.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that innovation takes patience and persistence. Starting something completely new means you’ll face challenges no one else has tackled before, but it also means you have the freedom to create something truly unique. Today, I’m proud to say our wines are handcrafted with care, using sustainably grown flowers and a process I developed myself. It’s a blend of history, science, and creativity, reimagined for today’s wine enthusiasts, and it’s what makes Free Range Flower Winery one-of-a-kind.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is living with ADHD, especially before I was diagnosed. Growing up, I struggled in ways that no one around me seemed to understand. I was held back in elementary school, then pushed ahead, only to be held back again because my teachers couldn’t figure out why I excelled in some areas and struggled in others. In first grade, my teacher would put me outside the classroom as punishment for not keeping up, leaving me feeling alienated and ashamed. Those early experiences were isolating and left lasting wounds.

I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until college, after years of feeling out of place. While the diagnosis gave me clarity, it also came with challenges—some peers and professors assumed I was faking it, which was devastating. In recent years, my psychiatrist has also pointed out signs of autism, which likely went unrecognized because ADHD and autism often mask each other. Women, in particular, are historically underdiagnosed, which makes it even harder for people like me to be understood.

One of the reasons I started my own business was to create a space where I could work in a way that made sense for me, free from judgment. Many neurodivergent people do the same, finding entrepreneurship a way to thrive outside rigid systems. These experiences have taught me resilience, self-advocacy, and how to approach challenges creatively. What once felt like weaknesses have become strengths that shape who I am today, and I’m proud of the journey it’s taken to get here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.freerangeflowerwinery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freerangeflowerwinery/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freerangeflowerwinery/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/free-range-flower-winery-livermore

Image Credits

Aaliyah and Free Range Flower Winery