From healing to heritage.
A story of grace, grapes, and a Southern legacy carried forward with purpose.
The Sweet Vine Story: From Healing to Heritage
Sweet Vine Products began with an unexpected journey toward healing. In early 2020, X‑rays revealed that founder Bruce Funderburk had calcified plaque in his carotid arteries — a potentially life‑threatening condition. When the pandemic halted his medical testing, he searched for natural ways to support his health. That search led him to muscadine grapes, known for their rich antioxidants, polyphenols, and powerful anti‑inflammatory properties.
He began drinking muscadine juice daily, and months later, follow‑up tests showed the plaque was gone. Amazed by the results — and surprised that muscadine products were so hard to find — he partnered with a vineyard in eastern North Carolina and launched Sweet Vine Products in April 2022.
What began as a small "beta" quickly grew into a thriving business offering juices, salsa, vinaigrettes, and more — all crafted from native Southern grapes and sold online, at festivals, and through local retailers. In 2025, Sweet Vine announced its closure — and one longtime customer who reached out simply to say thank you ended up becoming its next steward.
Today, under new stewardship, the muscadines and scuppernongs that fill these bottles are grown near the Northern Rivers of North Carolina — a region whose long, gentle growing season and river‑fed soils have nurtured Southern grapes for generations. Bruce's calling continues, vine by vine.
Our Journey of Faith and New Beginnings
As a longtime customer of Sweet Vine, I — Delgrita "Lil~Leo" M-Hollingsworth — never imagined I'd one day become its owner. After years of enjoying these pure, Southern‑made products, I always knew they were the real deal — authentic, wholesome, and created with love. On November 25, 2025, that gratitude turned into stewardship.
My husband, Paul, and I were married for 28½ years. Together in Headland, Alabama, we built P&G Pecan Farm — "50 Trees and a Truck". We purchased a home that came with 50 young pecan trees, and we tended them for 18 years until they matured into 50 yielding trees across seven varieties. Every fall, that grove gave back. We planned to downsize and build back on the land where I grew up, in Prattville, Alabama. Paul would often say:
"The natural order of things is that I'll leave this earth before you, and I don't want to leave you down here in Headland, Alabama, all alone without family or close friends."
Together we began building our barn in Prattville — framing a 12×24 two‑story space to live in while our new home took shape. In 2023, God allowed us to complete the framing just before Paul became weak.
In February 2024, Paul was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We spent twelve days together at UAB Hospital in Birmingham as he prepared for a transplant. On May 10, 2024, Paul went home to be with the Lord.
In the months that followed, I finished our barn apartment — downsizing, giving away a lifetime of memories, and asking God for purpose in a new chapter of life. I didn't realize He was preparing that very space to become the new home of My Sweet Vine Products — a continuation of something pure and life‑giving that He had already planned.
Faith in Every Step
Sweet Vine Products is more than a business — it is a testament to God's guidance through loss and renewal. Proverbs 3 reminds me that every twist of the vine and turn of life lies in His hands.
Each bottle we create is a reflection of that faith — pure, honest, and purposeful. Just as the Lord makes our paths straight, He has shaped My Sweet Vine to bring nourishment and joy from His creation — stretching from the Northern Rivers of North Carolina to Alabama's springs and finally to your table.
"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
Every twist of the vine, in His hands.
- 2020
An Unexpected Diagnosis
X-rays reveal calcified plaque in Bruce Funderburk's carotid arteries. A search for natural healing begins.
- 2022
Sweet Vine is Born
Partnering with an eastern North Carolina vineyard, Bruce launches Sweet Vine Products in April 2022.
- 2024
A Faith Walked Through Loss
On May 10, 2024, Paul Hollingsworth goes home to be with the Lord after a battle with AML. Del prays for purpose.
- Nov 25, 2025
A New Steward
Delgrita "Lil~Leo" M-Hollingsworth becomes the new owner — continuing a Southern legacy from her barn apartment in Alabama.
To honor God, Southern heritage, and the healing goodness of His creation.
We craft pure, natural muscadine-based products that nourish the body and uplift the spirit — through five values that shape every choice we make.
Faith
We acknowledge God in every step, trusting Him to guide this business and every bottle we produce.
Purity
No sugar added. No additives. No shortcuts. Just honest, small-batch products made with care.
Heritage
We preserve the tradition of native muscadine and scuppernong grapes — a Southern treasure passed down through generations.
Healing
Sweet Vine began with a story of restoration. We honor that legacy by offering products that support wellness and wholeness.
Community
From Carolina vineyards to Alabama springs, we partner with local growers, makers, and families who share our passion for authenticity.
Our Promise
Sweet Vine Products continues to honor its Southern roots. From the native muscadine and scuppernong grapes harvested in the North Carolina hills to the artesian springs of Alabama, our products remain faithful to their heritage — 100% natural, no sugar added, no additives, and crafted in small batches with care.
What began as one man's healing journey has become a legacy of faith, resilience, and Southern tradition — now carried forward with purpose, prayer, and a promise to keep Sweet Vine pure.
Join the family.
Receive Lil Leo's three-part welcome — the story, the heart, and the secret of what makes My Sweet Vine pure. No noise, just the vine.
Welcome to the My Sweet Vine family. I'm so grateful you're here.— Delgrita "Lil~Leo" M-Hollingsworth