Meet the inspiring woman behind J9 wine, a female co-owned Cape Town-based wine brand.

Janine Petersen, a 32-year-old mother two,  is a force to be reckoned with. Described by Fin24 as courageous, confident and persistent, she started j9Wine(Pty)Ltd with nothing but her savings and the money she made from selling her Citroen C3.

Petersen is one of South Africa’s youngest black wine company owners. She launched j9Wine three years ago in Cape Town, after being frustrated and bored in her last corporate job.

“I’ve achieved what many women in my community would die to achieve, and which was only possible through hard work and perseverance,” she told Fin24.

Congratulations to Janine Petersen and Kris Simpson of “J9 Wines” as they are making big moves to conquer the wine market in the Far East! https://t.co/dAXu6N1lHJ

— Black Wine Lovers (@BlackWineLovers) May 4, 2019

j9Wine offers a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and a Chenin Blanc. It’s easy-drinking wine and it’s a South African flagship.

Speaking to Fin24, Petersen says she draws inspiration from her peers.

“There are so many guys in the industry that have done amazing things. Ntsiki Biyela and Amy Kleinhans also inspire me. Amy was the very first coloured Miss South Africa to own a wine farm, and Ntsiki made the cover of Forbes Japan. Her wine brand Aslina is taking over Japan.”

Read Fin24’s Q&A with Petersen here.