Sometimes life can swing you in unexpected directions, and sometimes those swings can lead you to new passions and callings. For instance, Samantha Dockery, an accomplished wedding planner, followed a new passion to become the first Black woman-owned champagne brand in Illinois.
During her time as a wedding planner, Samantha learned the importance of a sparkling wine’s flavor profile in appealing to diverse palates during wedding celebrations. Her passion for love and celebration inspired her to create a brand that honors the journey, rituals, hard work, and joys of your love story. She then went to work on earning her certification as a Master of Champagne in 2021, and in May of 2023, proudly launched LOVELUVV, a sparkling wine brand dedicated to celebrating life’s most joyous moments.
LOVELUVVTM Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs was the brand’s first offering and hails from the renowned Champagne region of France. Subsequent offerings include the LOVELUVV Prosecco Superiore DOCG and the LOVELUVV Prosecco Rosé, both designed to tantalize the taste buds and elevate every occasion.
As she broke barriers and built bridges, Samantha highlighted the importance of representation in business. With every bottle sold, she aims to inspire others, particularly women of color, to pursue their dreams and make their mark in industries traditionally dominated by others, and has even pledged to donate 10% of all profits to various organizations related to these causes.
With each triumph of LOVELUVV, Samantha’s presence grows not just in the industry but also in the hearts of those she seeks to uplift. Her story serves as a beacon of hope, a reminder that one individual’s dream can spark a movement of change, breaking boundaries and empowering others along the way.
N’DIGO recently caught up with the passionate professional to learn more about her foray into the wine and spirits arena.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Samantha Dockery?
Samantha Dockery: I recently discovered the art of oríkì, and while I use it as my signature power phrase, it couldn’t be more accurate. Let me share it with everyone:
I am..Samantha Danielle of House Dockery. First of Her Name. A NY-born, NC fed, Chi-town bred Global Citizen. Southern Gal with a City Girl’s Heart. Fearless Leader of Teams Too Much & Save A Chick. The Duchess of Love & Baroness of Bubbles. Cheer Captain of the Small Biz Owner Squad. Baby Whisperer. Secretary of the Rich Auntie Club. Generous Giant and Founder/Owner, LOVELUVV™ Sparkling Wines.
What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you?
Creative. Determined. Generous.
Please tell us the inspiration behind and the story behind your creating sparkling wine brand, LOVELUVV?
LOVELUVV™ was born from a deep desire to create something that celebrates life’s joyful moments while also making a meaningful impact. As a former wedding planner, I’ve always enjoyed the tradition of sparkling wine as an element of wedding days. After I became a Master of Champagne, I wanted to go beyond just curating a luxurious brand; I aimed to build one that embodies love, celebration, and purpose.
Can you talk a little about the importance to you of donating 10% of all profits to programs aiding individuals and families impacted by domestic abuse?
It’s everything. Giving back is built into the DNA of LOVELUVV. I’ve seen firsthand how domestic violence can touch people’s lives, and I wanted to use this brand as a platform for advocacy and change. We’re not just here to sell wine—we’re here to uplift and support survivors, raise awareness, and contribute to programs that provide safety, healing, and love. LOVELUVV™ is more than just a sparkling wine; it’s a symbol of resilience, empowerment, and the beauty of shared experiences. Through LOVELUVV™, I hope to inspire others to celebrate their lives fully and to contribute to a world where love and safety are accessible to everyone.
What are some of the different wines under the brand?
My flagship sparkling is a Blanc de Blancs champagne. It’s a dry sparkling that hails from the Champagne Premier Cru village of Vertus. A stunning pale gold hue with a delightful nose of white flowers and honey, this blend pops with crisp Granny Smith apple, zesty lemon, and a hint of buttery brioche.
This spring, I launched my prosecco line, making LOVELUVV™ the only brand to offer a champagne and prosecco. The Prosecco Superiore DOCG comes from Valdobbiadene, a region in Italy known as the ‘gold coast‘ for the Glera grape. The dry wine has fragrant notes of fresh green apples that mingle harmoniously with zesty citrus and hints of ripe peaches, culminating in a refreshing effervescent finish.
Luscious and vibrant, the extra dry Prosecco DOC Rosé unveils a symphony of delicate strawberry aromas with citrusy accents and a whisper of summer florals, culminating in a crisp, refreshing finish.
What are some of the obstacles you face as a young Black woman in the wine and champagne business?
One of the biggest challenges I face is access, both to distribution and to capital. Breaking into the wine and spirits industry, especially as an independent Black-owned brand, means you’re often navigating a space that wasn’t built with you in mind. Distribution is incredibly relationship-driven, and many traditional channels are dominated by legacy players who aren’t always open to newer or diverse brands. Getting shelf space, placement in restaurants, or simply being part of the conversation can be tough without the right connections.
Then there’s the capital side—alcohol is a cash-intensive business. Everything from production and storage to compliance and marketing requires significant upfront investment. And when you’re bootstrapping, you’re constantly balancing growth with sustainability.
How has the recent influx of tariffs by the government impacted your business?
In addition to the previously mentioned obstacles I just mentioned, the recent threat of increased tariffs from the current administration poses yet another layer of complexity. Since LOVELUVV™ products are produced in Europe, any potential tariff hikes on imports from France and Italy could significantly impact pricing and access for both small businesses like mine and consumers. It’s a reminder of how global policy decisions directly affect small, purpose-driven brands trying to build something meaningful.
But despite those challenges, I remain committed to carving out space—not just for myself, but for others who want to enter this industry and bring something fresh, inclusive, and impactful to the table.
What are three of your business mottos that you always try to abide by?
1. Lead with purpose, not ego.
2. Authenticity over everything.
3. Profit over pride
Bonus: Sometimes you have to slow down to speed up!
How do you practice self-care and take care of your mental health?
This question is timely. Since Christmas Week 2024, I’d been dealing with a painfully distended abdomen. I kept telling my close family and friends that I could feel free-flowing liquid moving around. I even joked that it was “ascites“, a symptom of liver disease, which probably meant that I was drinking waayyyy too much champagne.
After several trips to urgent care, ERs, primary care, and specialists, I was finally diagnosed with an abdominal mass that turned out to be Meigs Syndrome. It’s a benign ovarian tumor that mimics the signs of advanced ovarian cancer. It was successfully removed, and I am on the road to recovery. Before this, I had already practiced self-care by taking time for beauty appointments and the occasional spa day. I also follow the Chick-fil-A model, CLOSED on Sundays (with a rare exception). Since this surgery, I am committed to ramping up my self-care 1000%. God told me that this was a reminder from Him to me: my health is my wealth, and he can’t help me build this company to a billion-dollar valuation if I don’t take care of my physical and mental health. Quiet morning, quarterly vacations, regular massages are all on deck for the rest of 2025 and beyond!
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
My dream car is a pickup truck. A matte all black everything Harley Davidson Edition F-250 4×4 Crew Cab. And of course we gotta add the words ‘Champagne Mami‘ on the side.
Best advice or words of wisdom?
Let ‘em. These are the words I say to myself when I get into ‘I can do it all myself mode’. When people want to help, let them. You don’t have to do everything alone. But also know it’s okay to make sure they understand your vision and your goals. Support is most valuable when it aligns with where you’re going. Be open, but stay rooted in what you’re building.
Favorite quote or affirmation?
I have two that I just can’t do without.
The first is “Excellence Is The Floor.” I can’t remember where I heard this, but we live in a world where mediocre is the standard. I will not accept this for my brand. I want my team to operate at a high level by default. The real ambition is to go beyond excellence: to innovate, lead, inspire, and break barriers.
My second quote comes from Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. It means that even in the hard times, and trust me, there have been more hard times than good with this brand, everything will work out as it should in the end.
What’s next for Samantha Dockery and LOVELUVV?
This year, I’m focused on growing the reach of LOVELUVV™—from securing more placements in retail and restaurants to forming intentional collaborations that align with our mission. I’m also continuing to educate consumers on the beauty and variety of sparkling wines, making the category more accessible. One of the highlights I’m looking forward to is launching The LOVELUVV Experience on April 26, a course aimed at educating consumers on the difference between champagne and prosecco. And above all, I remain committed to supporting organizations doing powerful, transformative work in the fight against domestic violence.
For more information on LOVELUVV sparkling wines, please visit www.loveluvvsparkling.wine
