Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vivian Valenzuela. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Vivian, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

Honestly, the name WOO GIRL! was born out of both necessity and serendipity. After multiple attempts to trademark my wine label were rejected due to conflicts with other beverage brands, I had to pivot. And in that process, I landed on something even better—something that truly represents me, my roots, and the spirit of my wines.

The first spark of inspiration came from my family. My husband, after watching the sitcom ‘How I Met Your Mother’, pointed out how my sisters and I reminded him of the “Woo Girls” on a specific episode—always cheering each other on and celebrating life’s moments with unfiltered enthusiasm. It struck a chord because, as native Texans, “WOO!” has always been our family’s go-to exclamation of triumph—whether we’re playing board games, winning a round of charades, cheering our favorite sports teams on, or just hyping each other up.

But WOO is more than just a fun exclamation. It carries a deeper meaning, too. In business, there’s The Art of WOO—a principle centered around persuasion, connection, and influence. And in the wine world, that resonates deeply. A great wine experience isn’t just about what’s in the glass; it’s about storytelling, relationships, and creating a space where people feel welcome, engaged, and inspired.

What I also love about the name is its universal appeal. No matter where you are in the world, “WOO” is pronounced the same way and carries the same excitement. It’s a universal language of joy—something we could all use more of. And let’s be real—WOO-ing isn’t just for women. We know men WOO too! Whether it’s a golfer sinking an impossible putt, landing a big deal at work, a guy jumping out of his seat when his team scores in overtime, or a dad at his kid’s soccer game celebrating a goal, that moment of pure, uninhibited joy is something everyone can relate to.

And, on a personal level, WOO has become my own rallying cry. Every time I say it, I remind myself that I’m capable of more than I think. It’s about pushing past limits, embracing new challenges, and celebrating every step of the journey.

More than anything, I want WOO GIRL! to empower others to step into their confidence, celebrate themselves unapologetically, and lift up those around them. It’s about showing up for yourself, chasing your ambitions fearlessly, and finding joy in every chapter of your story.

So, WOO GIRL! isn’t just a name—it’s a mindset. It’s about finding joy in the process, hyping up the people around you, and making sure every moment—big or small—is worth raising a glass to.

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.

I was raised a Baptist preacher’s kid, so a career in wine was never on my radar. But as an adult, I found myself completely unprepared when it came to pairing wines with food. My husband is a physician executive and I often hosted catered events while living in Bellingham, WA for his colleagues. I knew how to plan a great menu—Texans take food seriously—but when the caterers asked which wines I’d like paired with each course, I’d freeze. My answer was usually, “I guess a red and a white?”—which always earned me a polite but knowing “bless your heart” look.

That was my wake-up call. I enrolled in wine tasting courses and was instantly hooked. One of my first surprises? You don’t fill a wine glass to the top. I also discovered that my husband and I didn’t actually hate Chardonnay—we just hadn’t been tasting it the right way. Learning the process—See, Swirl, Sniff, Taste, Think—changed everything. From that moment on, our weekends and vacations revolved around exploring wine regions in Washington, Oregon, California, and abroad. Eventually, we moved to Santa Rosa, CA for more sunshine (my husband’s seasonal affective disorder and the Pacific Northwest rain were not a match).

Once in Sonoma County, I dove into wine education, studying Wine Public Relations, Sensory Analysis, and eventually completing an Enology program. I started interning in Wine Production at Furthermore Wines in the Russian River Valley, where I worked with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rosé, and Sparkling Wine. My first winemaker mentor was Erica Stancliff, a rising star in the industry. When she moved on to a new opportunity just days before harvest, I happened to be the most senior intern. Right place, right time. I was promoted to Winemaking Site Lead and soon had the opportunity to work under Sonoma Coast legend Ross K. Cobb, who had 40 years of winemaking experience. The work was demanding but rewarding, and I fell in love with the craft—especially the combination of technical precision, creative expression, and the mental and physical grit it required. Erica and Ross shaped my technical skills but also instilled in me the discipline, patience, and respect for the craft that I carry into every bottle I produce.

Rosé and sparkling wine became my obsession, and by 2020, WOO GIRL! Cellars was officially licensed. After relocating to Sacramento in 2021 for my husband’s career, we took the leap in 2023 and purchased a five-acre vineyard estate with a tasting room in Acampo, just seven miles from downtown Lodi. Today, I’ve produced six single-vineyard-designate rosés and three sparkling wines, all award winners (13 awards in total) crafted with a focus on purity and transparency.

What sets WOO GIRL! apart? I specialize in low-intervention winemaking—zero residual sugar, minimal to no sulfites, and 100% vegan-friendly production. Many people don’t realize that traditional winemaking often uses animal products like casein (milk protein), albumin (egg white), and isinglass (fish-derived) for fermentation control. I take a different approach, using plant-based proteins for microbial stability while maintaining the integrity of the wine.

This approach isn’t just about ethics—it’s personal. A few years ago, my doctor told me I should stop drinking wine due to sugar content and its effect on my glucose levels. That moment sparked a mission: to create award-winning wines that wouldn’t spike blood sugar or trigger allergies from excessive sulfites. Thanks to advancements in winemaking science, I’ve been able to achieve that without compromising quality, structure, or aging potential.

At the end of the day, WOO GIRL! is about crafting wines that are vibrant, expressive, and full of life—just like the people who drink them. It’s a brand rooted in celebration, inclusivity, and the belief that every glass should be a WOO!-worthy moment.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Without a doubt, QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a Noisy World by Susan Cain changed my life. Before reading it, I struggled with the idea that as the winemaker and owner of WOO GIRL! Cellars, I would need to step into the spotlight—telling the story behind my wines, engaging with guests, and essentially becoming the face of my brand. The thought alone stressed me out.

I’ve always been what you’d call an extroverted introvert—outgoing when I feel comfortable but drained afterward, needing solitude to recharge. While renovating my tasting room, my husband, Peter, would gently remind me that storytelling was going to be a crucial part of the experience. My response? “No, I just need to pour the wine. The wines will speak for themselves.” But Peter, always one step ahead, found a TED Talk by Susan Cain.

Fifteen minutes in, I teared up. For the first time, I felt seen. My whole life, I had been mistaken for being standoffish when in reality, I was just observing, absorbing, and processing. I immediately ordered her book and devoured it. The most profound takeaway for me was her explanation of dopamine. She described how introverts and extroverts are actually wired the same—the only difference is that extroverts seek higher dopamine release through things like sex, chocolate, money, and status. That was my lightbulb moment. I realized, Wait—I love all those things too!

That realization led me to trademark my sparkling wine line, S.M.C.S. (Sex. Money. Chocolate. Status.) as a playful yet personal reminder that I could do this. Every time social anxiety crept in, I only had to glance at the bottles behind me to ground myself. Originally, it was supposed to be S.C.M.S. in the natural order, but I had to swap “Chocolate” and “Money” because Sexual Chocolate was already a thing in the wine world. And just like that, my brand story took on another layer—one that always sparks conversations about personality differences, self-awareness, and the power of embracing who you are.

Susan Cain has probably sold more books because of this story, and I’m grateful for it. Her work helped me reframe how I approach connection, communication, and leadership in a way that feels authentic to who I am. And in the end, that’s what great wine—and great branding—is all about: creating something real, relatable, and worth raising a glass to.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Managing a team and keeping morale high starts with fostering a culture where people feel elevated, empowered, and celebrated—the same ethos that drives WOO GIRL! Cellars. In my experience, the best teams thrive on three key principles: clarity, trust, and recognition.

1. Clarity: Make sure people know the ‘why’ behind the work.
A team that understands its purpose is a team that performs with passion. Whether it’s harvesting grapes at sunrise or welcoming guests in the tasting room, every role is essential to the experience we create. I’ve found that when people see how their work directly contributes to something meaningful, they take greater pride and ownership. The goal is to make sure no one ever feels like they’re just clocking in—they’re part of something bigger.

2. Trust: Give people the freedom to show up as themselves.
The best work happens when people feel valued, not micromanaged. I’ve worked in environments where creativity was stifled by control, and I promised myself I’d never lead that way. Trusting your team to take initiative, make decisions, and bring their own energy to their work isn’t just good for morale—it’s essential for building a dynamic and engaged team. At WOO GIRL!, I want every person to feel like their presence adds to the experience, not just fills a role.

3. Recognition: Celebrate the wins—big and small.
People want to know they matter. Just like WOO GIRL! wines are about celebrating life’s moments, I believe in celebrating the people who make those moments happen. Whether it’s a successful event, a perfectly executed tasting, or someone going the extra mile, acknowledging their impact fuels motivation. And it doesn’t have to be over the top—sometimes a simple, “I see you. I appreciate you.” is all it takes to make someone feel valued.

At the end of the day, managing a team is a lot like making wine: You create the right conditions, nurture the process, and trust that with time and care, something incredible will come from it. When people feel seen, supported, and celebrated, they bring their best—and that’s when the magic happens.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.woogirlcellars.com
• Instagram: @woogirlcellars
• Facebook: WOO GIRL Cellars
• Yelp: WOO GIRL! Cellars

Image Credits

Alexis Papachristos
Casey Evans
Elise Giordano
Samary Ortiz Gomez