Jen’s journey to wine.
Jen Monago’s journey to wine was a bit of a winding road. Long before she was a Certified Sommelier, she was navigating the worlds of political fundraising and retail operations.
Whether she was helping out at the DNC or learning how the wheels turned at Banana Republic and RH, those years were a masterclass in two things: how to tell a story and how to actually get things done.
After moving her family from Marin County, CA to Reston, VA, she wondered what her next move should be. Always a passionate progressive, she founded a chapter of Moms Demand Action in Reston and volunteered with her boys’ school. However, the desire to forge her own path continued to burn. One night after a wine tasting at a local big box store, Jen realized that was the next step. She knew she had the skills to share wine in a better way.
Jen realized that the most interesting stories—and the ones she actually wanted to tell—were the ones found inside a bottle of wine or tucked away in a vintage shop. Soon, she earned her Sommelier certification and dove head first into the world of wine sales and luxury wine consulting. Jen never lost the belief that the "good stuff" should be for everyone, not just people with fancy titles or secret handshakes.
She founded Kinship Wine + Wares to bring that vision to life. It’s a curated mix of soulful wine and retro housewares that make a home feel like home. Jen’s goal is to strip away the stuffiness and make wine education feel like a conversation with a friend. She brings the energy, the expert knowledge, and absolutely zero of the pretentious nonsense. When she’s not leading a tasting or hunting for mid-century glassware, she’s likely proving that wine is for humans, and pinky-pointing is strictly optional.
OUR Goal
To strip away the stuffiness and make wine education feel like a conversation with a friend.
Behind the sommelier.
When Jen isn't talking wine or hunting for vintage treasures, she's busy being a mom to two teenage boys (!) and soaking up life with family and close friends. Whether it's an evening at Wolf Trap or a summer night right here at Lake Anne, live music is always a good reason to gather. Travel is another great passion and you'll spot some of her finds from the road throughout the shop.
Jen truly believes the best memories are made around a table, with good people and great stories to share. That belief is exactly how Kinship Wine + Wares came to life — born from a love of beautiful things that carry history and have a tale to tell.
