Summer is quickly approaching, and most of America is slowly (and carefully) reopening their businesses. Whether you’re looking for vineyards to explore, wineries for tasting, or new brands to enjoy at home, these black-owned wine companies will be sure to satisfy your palette.
Brown Estate
Brown Estate is a family-owned winery estate located in Napa Valley, California. As Napa Valley’s first-ever black-owned winery, their Brown Estate label was established in 1996. They have since gone on to bottle 20 different vintages, including Zinfandel, Merlot, and Chardonnay.
According to their website, their bottle prices range from $28-125. Their wines are available for purchase (and delivery!), and they typically offer tasting events in their Brown Downtown Tasting Room. Still, they have temporarily suspended their services due to health concerns surrounding COVID-19.
To check out their website and scroll through their inventory, click here.
Abbey Creek Vineyard
Abbey Creek is located in the North Plains of Portland, Oregon, and is Oregon’s first and only Hip-Hop winery. It’s owned by Bertony Faustin, who became the first recorded black winemaker in Oregon in 2008. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Faustin was an anesthesia tech who made the shift into the wine industry after the passing of his father. To read the full, fascinating biography of his journey through winemaking, including his choice to live a sober lifestyle while working on the vineyard, click here.
Faustin’s wine prices range from $25-150, and select bottles are available for delivery. Due to COVID, Abbey Creek is currently open during limited hours for pick up and takeout only.
Theopolis Vineyards
Theopolis Vineyards is a small vineyard and winery located in the Yorkville Highlands of the Anderson Valley in California. This quaint vineyard earned a 94-96 point rating from wine critic Robert Parker in their first year of harvest, 2006. The owner and founder, Theodora R. Lee (aka Theo-patra), is a former lawyer who has dedicated the second half of her life to harvesting and bottling amazing wine.
According to their website, Theopolis Vineyards offers wine ranging from $22-45, and shipments of three or more bottles are available online. They are also hosting and partaking in online webinars that cover various topics like the vast world of Pinot Noir and women and people of color within the wine industry.
To take a look at the Theopolis Vineyards website, and purchase some award-winning Petite Sirah, click here.
Markell - Bani Fine Wines and Sparkling Beverages
Markell-Bani is a Cincinnati, OH, based wine brand formed by Greg Markell Lawrence and Sean Bani Yisrael. The roots of this brand were planted by two friends determined to change the wine industry’s elite nature and to address the under-representation of the black community. Along with the sweet wines that they bottle under their brand, they also host and participate in events that showcase their wines and bring wine lovers together to socialize.
Their red and white sweet wine are both $20 a bottle and are available on their website for purchase and delivery. Take a look at Markell-Bani’s full inventory here.
Love Cork Screw
Love Cork Screw is a vegan wine brand founded by Chicago native Chrishon Lampley. With over 17 years of experience in the wine industry, Love Cork Screw is currently sold in over 50 locations, including Target, Binny’s and Whole Foods. Lampley also uses her experience and knowledge to mentor young women and aspiring business owners.
Each wine varietal has a bright, unique name and retails around $15-27 per bottle. Love Cork Screw also delivers to most states. Not a wine person? They also make wine scented candles! Click here to check it out.
Frichette Winery
Frichette Winery is a winery in the Red Mountain AVA owned by husband and wife, Greg and Shae Frichette. With their fate being decided by the flip of a coin, they relocated from California to Washington and began their winemaking journey. Today, Frichette winery has over 2,000 cases of different wines.
In the age of COVID, they are currently not hosting tastings in person. Still, they continue to stay open for curbside pickup. They also keep us updated on their progress through Instagram and Facebook, and host virtual blind tasting challenges. Frichette Winery will send you a bottle of their wine with the label covered. You will then receive blind tasting tips via Zoom to help you make an educated guess on the varietal! Their mostly red wine collection is also available for online purchase. Check it out here.
The McBride Sisters Collection
The story of the McBride sisters is a fascinating one. They both grew up and developed a love for wine and all things viticulture. However, they were raised in two different major wine regions (Andrea in New Zealand and Robin in California). They were unaware that the other sister existed for most of their lives. When they finally united, they founded the largest black-owned wine company in the United States. Quoted from their website, “Their story is proof that a bond can form over a bottle of wine, a truth that comes to life with every McBride Sisters wine.”
McBride Sisters wine is available for shipping to most states. It can be found at many major retailers such as Target, Kroger, and Total Wine. They have a very convenient and easy way to see if the wine of your choice is available in your area. Click here to check it out.
Davidson Wine Company
Davidson Wine Company is an urban winery located in Davidson, North Carolina. Owned by former lawyer Lindsey Williams, this quaint winery is located in the historic business district. This winery offers a large variety of amenities. Over fifty different kinds of wine have been produced and locally crafted. Custom wine labels are available for purchase, and wine tastings and events are available for educational (or social) purposes.
Davidson’s is open for patio seating, and are still available for curbside pickup. On their website, Davidson’s wines range from $24-48, and merchandise is also available for purchase. If you’re not in the area, but know a friend that is, consider purchasing a gift card for them to enjoy!
There’s a rich history of overcoming adversity woven into each of these brands and vineyards. The vast nature of the wine industry has long been a rich white man’s game, and it is well overdue for more diversity. If your funds don’t allow for purchasing these wines or you aren’t much of a wine drinker, consider following these businesses on Instagram, or signing up for their newsletter to receive updates!