You may not know it, but March is Women’s History Month. And a new business in Jackson Ward, Penny’s Wine Shop, is celebrating by helping to support Girls for a Change, a nonprofit empowering Black girls “to design, lead, fund and implement social change projects that tackle issues girls face in their own neighborhoods,” according to its website.

During the month of March, whenever you purchase a glass of 2020 Aslina Umsasane at Penny’s Wine Shop, 15% of your purchase will benefit Girls for a Change (GFAC), going toward their One Mission Reasons to Build campaign. If anyone would like to purchase a bottle for outside consumption, they can do so online through RichWine RVA and 10% of the proceeds will benefit GFAC.

“We are excited, as both a Black-owned business and woman-owned business to feature a wine of the month where proceeds of each Aslina wine by the glass purchase … will directly support the building fundraiser efforts for Girls For A Change,” says Kristen Gardner Beal, co-founder of RichWine RVA and Penny’s Wine Shop. “Since the inception of RichWine in 2020 and now Penny’s in 2023, we are happy to be a part of the Richmond small business community where we prioritize the desire to reinvest whatever dividends we can in positive efforts within our local community. We are rooting for Girls For A Change!”

According to the release: “Aslina Wines is a Black-owned winery in South Africa, founded by winemaker Ntsiki Biyela. Umsasane has a bold structure and is silky smooth with layered complexity. The lush dark red fruit with lovely mouthfeel and delicate structure helps showcase the true nature of Aslina wines.”

The name of Penny’s Wine Shop is an homage to Maggie Walker’s St. Luke Penny’s Savings Bank. It is located in the old Stoplight Gelato spot at 405 Brook Rd.