Our Story

NOTES International is a community of Black and brown folks who love natural wine, music, travel and the intersection of all three. NOTES aims to educate, celebrate and uplift our community through events and content that increase our presence in the international world of wine. We believe that community is the foundation of a more sustainable wine world, and that education access is at the core of change.

OUR FOUNDERS

NOTES International was founded in the summer of 2020 by Leslie Ogoe and Farah Sheikh-Ogoe.

Leslie Ogoe is the heartbeat of the music side of NOTES. A hip-hop aficionado, DJ by trade, and Gamay superfan, Leslie has been producing events and content for over 15 years. He brings a passion for education and a knack for when to drop ‘Knuck if You Buck’ to every NOTES event.

Farah Sheikh-Ogoe is that! wine! girl! Farah is pursuing her WSET Level 2 certification, slinging wine at some of the dopest spots in NYC, and keeping community at the heart of all she does. With over a decade of experience in Marketing and Advertising, Farah is constantly seeking partnerships that align with NOTES’ community.