Slate Theory Winery Collaboration with The Big Silence

June 20, 2023 The Big Silence

Introducing "The Therapist" and "The Patient" - a partnership that gives back to mental health

“The Therapist” and “The Patient” wines were created in a collaboration between Slate Theory Winery and The Big Silence Foundation to continue to open up mental health conversations and break the silence together. A portion of the proceeds benefit The Big Silence Foundation’s programs and tools to support people’s mental health journey.

The Big Silence Foundation is a charitable organization based in Austin, TX, with the mission to cultivate conversations and offer resources and programs to destigmatize and change the culture around mental health. It was founded in 2021 by Karena Dawn, a wellness entrepreneur and leading mental health advocate, based on her experiences growing up in a family impacted by mental illness (shared in her memoir, The Big Silence).

Donate

The History

On Karena’s first visit to Fredericksburg, TX, someone recommended she visit Slate Theory Winery. Karena and The Jones Family immediately connected over the winery’s mental health advocacy and their shared desire to have more open conversations about mental illness. Karena shared her personal story and copies of her memoir. She also fell in love with the original art work by Cody Jones that hangs in the tasting room and is featured on the bottle labels. The wines are thought provoking, and the pairing of art and psychology acts as a real conversation starter. A sense of camaraderie grew around the desire to break the silence and bring attention to mental health issues.

In October 2022, Slate Theory Winery and The Big Silence Foundation came together to build awareness and advocate for acceptance, and celebrate World Mental Health Day with a pop-up event featuring James Nicholas Kinney, Amber Valdez and hosted by Karena Dawn.

The Big Silence with the Jones family at Slate Theory Winery for World Mental Health Day celebration in The Cave, an underground wine cellar.

In the underground wine cellar, The Cave, Karena shared her personal story, advocating for acceptance. Amber led a heart centering sound bath and meditation and James raised the vibrations with his motivational rap and rhymes. The event left the audience feeling inspired and energized, and it was the beginning of a very unique partnership.

Slate Theory has always made a point to give back to mental health, and often has add-ons and give back days to support organizations, like NAMI. The collaboration, launched for Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2023, pairs the narrative powers of The Big Silence, and unique art and wine prowess of Slate Theory to start a conversation.

About The Wines

Available for purchase in the Slate Theory Winery tasting room and on their website, "The Therapist" (2022 White blend: 60% Muscat Blanc 40% Muscat Canelli) and "The Patient" (2019 Red blend) bottles feature original artwork and a short personal narrative sharing the story of The Big Silence on the label.