Robin and Andréa McBride, owners of California’s McBride Sisters winery, are two Black sisters who are doing just that. The winery, founded in the early 2000s, is now one of the largest Black-owned wineries in the U.S. Despite not always being taken seriously and often being met with skepticism, the McBrides realized their hard-earned success. “You have to have an extreme case of optimism and thick skin to be successful [as a woman of color] in this business.” (McBrideSisters.com) [just bought some]
As a Louisiana native, winery owner Darjean Jones says that the “love of good food and drink is coded in my DNA.” Jones, who has a PhD in plant pathology from UC Davis, sources her grapes (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and more) from coveted vineyards in Napa and Sonoma. Darjean Jones’s Russian River Valley Viognier pairs beautifully with shrimp and grits (find the recipe here). To get first dibs on these hand-crafted, award-winning wines, join the wine club, or purchase them individually on the website.
Known in the wine world as Theo-patra, queen of the vineyards, Theodora Lee was a San Francisco trial lawyer whose love of wine inspired her to enroll in viticulture classes at UC Davis. Lee founded the Mendocino County winery in 2003, and her Pinot Noir, Petite Syrah, and Symphony (a rare white varietal) wines have been winning accolades ever since. Get access to these stunning wines, shipped right to your door, by joining the Theopolis wine club.
Mouton Noir Wines
Named one of Wine Enthusiast’s “40 Under 40 Tastemakers,” Krista Scruggs’s motto is “Farm, Forage, Ferment.” Her passion for farming began as a child, working weekends at her grandparents’ farm in California. In 2016 Scruggs moved to Vermont to work alongside Deidre Heekin, co-owner of la Garagista and a pioneer of the Vermont wine scene. Scruggs now makes a small amount of her own all-natural wines, ciders, and vinous ciders (a blend of the two). In Bon Appétit, Marissa A. Ross refers to Zafa wines as “wildly intoxicating.” Place your name on the Counterspell Club waitlist to be notified when these extremely limited wines become available.
Ntsiki Biyela, South Africa’s first Black female winemaker and owner of Aslina Wines, knew she wanted to start a company when she was still a student. Biyela says that her positive attitude helped her deal with gender and race issues along the way. However, her biggest struggle was finding someone to help her balance her personal and business life. “I definitely needed someone who looks like me,” she says, “and there was no one.”
Deneen Brown is the co-owner of Brown Estate (brownestate.com), a vineyard in the eastern hills of Napa Valley, which she manages with her siblings. Her parents bought the winery in the 1980s, and Deneen and her siblings took it over in the 1990s, coming together not only to run the vineyard but also to create their own wine. Today, the Brown siblings offer 16 different wines for customers to choose from.
Marilyn Van Alstyne of Wifey Brands (wifeybrands.com) brings a sparkle of magic and style to the wine industry. Van Alstyne’s Wifey Rosé and Sparkling Cuvée provide more than just a drink: their products are an experience. Through her brand, Van Alstyne aims to celebrate women everywhere, encouraging consumers to celebrate life’s moments and to live lives filled with love.
Black Coyote Winery was founded in 2000 by Dr. Ernest Bates (and 3 partners). Dr. Bates is an esteemed neurosurgeon who created one of the first African American owned wineries in the Napa Valley (Bates Creek). He has lived in the Napa area full time since 1999 and was one of the founding members of the Association of African American Vintners.
Charles Wine Company is family-owned and managed with a portfolio of boutique wines representing the rich diversity of California. Our dream started in 2007 with a trip to Temecula Valley Wine Country for wine tasting, which led me to the cellar with the winemaker/owner doing a barrel tasting. This introduction sparked my interest to purchase my first premium wine kit, which began our journey.
Earl Stevens is a platinum selling recording artist and actor from Vallejo California. Earl is also known by his stage name of E-40, a rap veteran entrepreneur that is mostly known for his unorthodox rap style & catchy slang words. In the early days of his career he made his name by selling tapes out the trunk of his car and now he is living his dream!
FLO Wine is capturing the taste buds of wine-lovers from California to South Carolina. As the owner and brand ambassador, a marketing initiative is currently underway with Johnson’s “Sips & Sounds” performances marrying music and wine For the Love Of concept. FLO Wine currently offers a FLO Red Californian Blend and a FLO California Chardonnay. As of July 2013 the company is launching its 2011 FLO California Moscato.
In 2008 Bertony Faustin became the 1st recorded black winemaker in Oregon. Establishing himself as a renowned and recognized winemaker in Oregon pinot country Bertony had more challenges than your average vineyard owner. Systemic issues woven deeply into the history of not only the state but the wine industry as a whole proved to be fertile ground for Bertony to establish his place as a true Oregon pioneer.