Northshore Women Rising: Jessica Tantillo

Meet Jessica Tantillo, the woman behind Alba Wine Bar

Northshore Women Rising is a series spotlighting the women building something meaningful on the Northshore. This Month, we sat down with Jessica Tantillo, owner of Alba Wine bar, the intimate neighborhood wine bar located in Jonestown, TX.

Jessica talks about her journey to become a sommelier, shares what it took to bring something entirely new to this community, and her wine club's most unexpected wines.

How did your journey to becoming a sommelier begin? Was wine always a passion, or did it find you?

Wine kind of found me. I always obsessed over restaurants, travel, and taking care of people from a young age. After college, I thought cooking would be the best route for me, so I went to culinary school, but quickly found myself looking out into the dining room wanting to do what the people selling wine were doing. The deeper I got into it, the more I realized wine has this incredible way of telling stories about people, places, culture, history, and even emotion. I became obsessed with how something can feel both approachable and endlessly layered at the same time. I’m still learning every day, which is part of why I love it so much.

You’ve had a hand in shaping some Austin staples. What inspired you to open Alba in the Northshore?

We moved to Lago Vista in 2023 and I really wanted to create the kind of place I personally wished existed out here. The Northshore has grown so much, but there still weren’t many intimate, thoughtful spaces that felt design forward while also being genuinely welcoming. I didn’t want ALBA to feel pretentious or exclusive. I wanted it to feel like your neighborhood wine bar where you could have an amazing glass of wine next to someone drinking whiskey and eating fries. Something small, soulful, and centered around community.

What's been the hardest part of opening something brand new in a community that didn't have anything quite like this before?

Trusting that success doesn’t always happen overnight. Building something new takes patience. Especially in a smaller community, you really have to earn trust slowly and consistently. You have to keep showing up even when things feel uncertain.

The hospitality industry is high-energy and often male-dominated at the ownership level. What has that experience been like navigating as a woman?

It’s definitely made me tougher. There are moments where you feel underestimated or where you have to prove yourself in ways men maybe don’t always have to. But I also think women bring something incredibly valuable to hospitality, intuition, emotional intelligence, attention to detail, and resilience. I’ve learned that I don’t have to lead like anyone else to be successful. The older I get, the more comfortable I am trusting my instincts.

You have a team of strong women behind you. How has this shaped you as a leader?

It’s shaped everything. Some of the best moments in my career have come from working alongside incredibly talented women who care deeply about hospitality and creativity. I think it’s made me a more empathetic leader. I want the people who work with me to feel supported. Hospitality is hard work, and having a strong team around you changes everything.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to a woman who has a business idea but keeps talking herself out of taking the leap?

You’re never going to feel fully ready. If you wait until you feel completely confident, you’ll probably never do it. I think there’s this misconception that business owners have everything figured out, but most of us are learning in real time. Also, don’t underestimate how much passion and authenticity matter. People can feel when something comes from a real place.

What does a perfect night at Alba look like to you, what are people doing, drinking, feeling?

A full room where everyone feels relaxed. Someone’s on a first date, someone else is celebrating a birthday, another person stopped in alone and ended up talking to strangers at the bar. There’s good music playing, candles lit, people lingering longer than they planned to. Someone discovers a wine they’ve never heard of and becomes obsessed with it. It feels cozy, alive, and a little transportive.

What's the most unexpected wine you've featured or plan to feature through the club, something that might raise an eyebrow but totally wins people over once they try it?

I love wines that challenge people’s expectations. Orange wines are always really fun for that because people can be unsure of them at first until they try a beautifully balanced one. We actually had a great moment with you guys at ALBA with the Lambrusco rosé. I think a lot of people’s reference point for Lambrusco is the more mass produced grocery store versions, so it can be surprising when they try one from a thoughtful small producer who really cares about their craft. Suddenly it feels completely different. Those are honestly my favorite wine moments, when someone tastes something that totally changes their perspective.