ABOUT NaKenge Adisa

NaKenge Adisa has always been a lover of people, place and passion. His studies in enology, viticulture, culinary arts, philosophy, theology and history have given a unique perspective through which he celebrates the table and the people it connects.  From teaching critical thinking to high school students to educating adults about wine and food, NaKenge has always been drawn to people who are sharing their authentic selves.

NaKenge is Washington State’s first Black winemaker, having worked for several of its celebrated wineries, including Leonetti Cellar, DeLille Cellars and Efeste. As a trained chef, NaKenge has worked for King Fish Café, Boat Street Café and Whitehouse-Crawford. NaKenge has served guests as a senior server and sommelier at Canlis Restaurant. 

Currently, NaKenge is the founder of Through the Vine, a venture committed to evolving people centered experiences in food and wine through three strategic entities: Accessible Wines, vis-a-vin and Somme Touring. Through his service project Brothers for Others, he is attempting to create the state’s first sacramental wine to fund literacy programs in Catholic schools and a multiplatform project Table Matters to encourage exploration and celebration of the grand traditions of the table. Table Matters is a multiplatform experience that aims to increase the participation of cultural and ethnic groups who in the past have been underrepresented in table experiences -- such as young adults, blacks, Latinos and Asians. 

NaKenge lives in Seattle’s Pike Place neighborhood from where he continues to serve and invite young adults and traditionally underrepresented cultural groups to participate in popularizing, evolving and exploring cultural traditions of the table.

 

THROUGH THE VINE
One table, one vine.

Venture

Committed to creating people centered experiences through food and wine which inspire community, creativity and participation.

Companies

Accessible Wines, vis-a-vin and Somme Touring.

 

BROTHERS FOR OTHERS
Cultivating paradigm shifts at the table.

Mission

To increase cultural education, community service and critical personal and environmental development through cultivating community partnerships to steward and inspire relevant table experiences.

Vision

Brothers for Others is a global, sustainable, for profit, entrepreneurial project consisting of several supporting concepts and brands. We believe that by sharing and promoting the experience of the table with others, we enable the possibility of a cultural revolution to take place in which people are invited to share in critical human and environmental experiences—of restoration, refreshment and renewal.

Philosophy

We believe too few cultural and ethnic groups participate in performing, cultivating and celebrating these traditions of the table. Our aim is to create sustainable venues and products using innovative technologies, strategic business partnerships and sound market definitions and goals to promote participation and evolution of the table and the dynamism it induces and guides.

Our core values will guide the efficacy and effect of our efforts in the face of the complexity inherent in our mission.

Values

Humility
Integrity
Community
Equity
Generosity
Service
Education
Health
Sustainability

Projects

Sacramental Wine
Our first project is to create the state's first sacramental wine to fund literacy programs in Catholic schools.

Table Matters
Table Matters is a multiplatform/media project which encourages exploration and celebration of the grand traditions of the table. Table Matters experience aims to increase the participation of traditionally underrepresented ethnic and cultural groups in table experiences such as young adults, blacks, Latinos and Asians.

 

 
 

 

All content © 2010 NaKenge Adisa
www.nakengeadisa.com