Dreamers & Doers

The Big Sip

"Un brindis por aquellos que nos miran y sonrien desde el cielo!" Those are the words you'll find on La Cheve's webpage, an homage and cheers to those that have come before us, who watch over us and are smiling down from the heavenly skies. What started out as a fun experiment and beautiful bonding activity with Cinthya Cisneros and her dad in their garage, has quickly expanded and resulted in one of the most talked about Mexican restaurants in Napa Valley. A place servicing up more than just food, but revolved around family. Filled with authenticity that transports you back to a little pueblito and casita in Mexico, the old adobe house still carries more than 75% of the original wood that first housed Don Cayetano Juarez, Maria de Jesus Higuera and their 11 children, built by Cayetano himself, in 1845 (yes, you read that right...1845, five years before California was part of the United States!). As Cinthya put it herself, this casita is the oldest representation of Napa's Mexican era...goosebumps! For Cinthya, who immigrated to Napa Valley at a young age, opening up La Cheve is a direct result of what can happen when we not only dream, but do. The journey however has been far from easy. Now a resident of the United States, Cinthya has had to navigate a variety of challenges throughout her life, yet met every opportunity with grace and humildad, showing herself (and to all dreamers out there!), that just because you don't know how to do something, doesn't mean it has to be out of reach. With passion, hustle, and determination anything is possible...or as our parents like to say "simplemente es la chinga!" A true Xingona breathing love and light into her community, Cinthya is now a part of history-in-the-making herself. Over the past five years, the number of womxn-owned businesses increased by 21%, in addition to LatinX-owned businesses increasing by 34% in the last 10 years. Not only is she breaking barriers, Cinthya is successfully preserving a part of her world and culture during a pandemic. Initially set to open her doors in 2020, COVID-19 was the last thing she was expecting at the launch of her new business venture. Refusing to let a pandemic prevent her from realizing her dreams, she opened up the doors to La Cheve on May 14th for pick-up. A year later, the casita that feels just like your abuelita's house is not only surviving through a pandemic but thriving. To whom does she credit the strength and passion that's carried her through this tough industry? Grab a glass and sip with us to find out ;) .... but I will say it all comes full circle, to la familia--a tribe, a union of gente.