LOVE AT FIRST SIP. Deborah and Ryan Tabor (pictured above) have begun a new business venture here in the Chippewa Valley, Tabor Winery. Their inaugural product, "Tej," is a fermented honey mead with a semi-sweet flavor profile and a love letter to Deborah's Ethiopian culture. (Submitted photo)

A journey which began with the blending of two different walks of life and cultures – in holy matrimony – has led to a new wine -focused venture in the Chippewa Valley: Tabor Winery. Ryan and Deborah Tabor, co-owners of the winery, are introducing Tej, an Ethiopian-style mead to their community.

“The history of Tej goes back thousands of years,” Ryan said. “It was typically consumed as a royal beverage and it has expanded out to the general populace from there.”

This celebratory drink, often served during special events like weddings, is as sweet and worthy of attention as the Tabors' own love story. After all, a wedding is where Ryan first produced batches of Tej, during his own marriage to Deborah in 2022.

“I met Deborah and learned about her Ethiopian heritage and I thought (making Tej) would be a really cool thing to connect with her culture,” Ryan said. “I surprised her with (the Tej) and it was a huge hit – to the extent that family and friends started reaching out to us, asking if I could make more for their other special events.”

Prior to their latest business venture, Ryan had 15 years of experience in brewing beer and crafting wine, which all began during his undergraduate studies and helped land him a degree in microbiology.

“(Tabor Winery) came out of love; that’s what (Tej) represents and that’s what we want to share with others.” –Deborah Tabor, co-owner of Tabor Winery

Over the years, he has continued this practice, making beer for company parties and for Oktoberfest celebrations; he now produces all beverages for Tabor Winery in-house, in Altoona.

The first batches of Tej with the new winery, titled “Mare” – which translates to “my honey” in Amharic, Ethiopia’s primary language (also a term of endearment between Ryan and Deborah) – highlights a semi-sweet and herbal flavor profile. Each batch of mead is facilitated by a honey fermentation; this ingredient remains locally sourced here in the Chippewa Valley, the duo shared.

Tabor Winery's Tej, pictured above, features regalia and other cultural imagery central to Ethiopia, where Deborah was born and raised. (Submitted photo)

Tabor Winery’s Tej is also infused with gesho, a specific type of Ethiopian hops they source directly from Deborah’s country of origin.

The company's mission and vision are intrinsically related to their love story and cultural exchange, Deborah said. Tabor Winery’s “Mare” bottle features Deborah’s own cultural regalia, with Deborah herself modeling for the brand.

“The history of Ethiopia and the culture is very fascinating,” the duo agreed. “Part of what we are looking to do is to create a community, educate people and get them to experience what (we) learned about Ethiopian heritage.”

Not to mention, there’s a future where Tabor Winery could expand; intending to highlight Ryan’s European and Scandinavian culture, another hub of mead and fermented beverages.

As Tabor Winery begins production and sales this month, customers can either purchase individual bottles of Tej or packages designed for larger parties and special occasions. Each individual bottle of Tej is accompanied by a set of berele glasses – a tribute to the beverage’s history and mirrors the same flasks used by Ethiopian royalty a millennia ago.

Locals passing through Eau Claire will soon be able to purchase Tabor Winery’s products in person at 2 Roots Art & Wine Gallery (216 S Barstow St.), The Local Store (205 N Dewey St.) and The Coffee Grounds (4212 Southtowne Dr.).

Ultimately, Tej fosters connection between two distant cultures in the world and allows them to come together in one beverage, Deborah said.

“(Tabor Winery) came out of love; that’s what (Tej) represents and that’s what we want to share with others,” Deborah said. “It goes beyond just business; it’s about sharing something that’s special to us that we want to be special for others – we want to be a part of their happy moments.”

“Mare,” a Tej by Tabor Winery can be purchased in person at The Local Store (205 N Dewey St., Eau Claire). Visit Tabor Winery’s webpage – thetaborwinery.com – online for more information about the history of Tej and to taste the love brewed into each bottle. Individual bottles start at $30, with customizable price ranges available for larger parties.