The wine and spirit industry should reflect the diversity of the world, but in truth, out of the 11,000 wineries in the United States, less than 1% of these wineries were founded or currently owned by Black Americans. Elevating Black brands is as important to the wine and spirits industry as it is among other industries.
As consumers, it’s important to rally behind these brands, grow awareness, and continue to support them. The industry is lucky to have some excellent Black-owned brands, but it might be hard to identify them, so I’ve compiled a list of just a handful of my favorites to make it easier for you to go out and find them: McBride Sisters, Sun Goddess, and Brown Sugar Bourbon.
McBride Sisters
The McBride Sisters Wine Company launched in 2005 with an origin story that reads more like a movie script. It starts with Andréa McBride John, who was living in New Zealand when her estranged father called her to reconnect and share the news that she had a sister named Robin out there somewhere.
It was his dream to reconnect with his two daughters, and thus his family set out to find the two young women on opposite sides of the globe before things like Google existed. When Robin and Andréa finally met in 1999, they discovered they had a joint passion for food and wine, likely given to them both through their uncanny upbringing in their respective wine countries. Thus, the McBride Sisters label was born from the magic of family and unlikely circumstances leading to a venture founded on the love of wine and newfound sisterhood.
Since 2005, The McBride Sisters have defied the odds in the wine industry, transforming the landscape to create space for Black and female vintners alike. They have propelled the food and wine culture to new heights with their award-winning collections and innovative programs to increase diversity. The McBride Sisters collection includes wines from both New Zealand and California under various labels. The McBride Collection Sauvignon Blanc made the Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2022, and the Black Girl Magic wines are a throwback to the sisters' stories and reflect their upbringing. The Reserve also features wine from California and New Zealand, with nostalgic labels featuring a piece of home for each sister.
In 2019 the sisters added SHE CAN to the product list — canned wines and spritzers. With these wines, they launched the SHE CAN fund to inspire and promote the professional advancement of women in the wine industry, helping to close the gender and race gap. Within the first year, the fund gave $40,000 in scholarship money.
The overarching theme for the McBride sisters is that wine should be approachable, push the boundaries, and be enjoyed with all life experiences. As the Sisters say, Robin and Andréa are proof that everything is possible.
Brown Sugar Bourbon Whiskey
Brown Sugar Bourbon whiskey (BSB) was recently purchased by singer and actor Jamie Foxx. He acquired BSB after being a fan of the bourbon, which he aptly called “the life of the party.” The signature BSB is a flavored whiskey with a classic bourbon taste of sweet brown sugar and cinnamon. It was also named “World’s Best Flavored Whiskey” in 2018 and 2019 by Whisky Magazine’s World Whisky Awards.
BSB 103 is considered the big brother of BSB. The whiskey is much stronger, at 103 proof, with the same flavor profile of brown sugar and cinnamon. Jamie Foxx is involved in the brand's creative direction, has introduced a new bottle shape, and is working on developing future releases. I can only guess how much influence Foxx will have in the business in this new adventure, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for BSB.
Sun Goddess
Sun Goddess wines are produced by Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Mary J. Blige, along with the Fantinel family in Italy. According to Blige, “I’ve always loved the sun, and as a child, I always tried to capture the sun’s warmth and energy. It was magical to me, and it’s with that spirit, that my mom began calling me Sun Goddess.”
Blige has long been a fan of white wine, particularly Pinot Grigio. When she collaborated with the Fantinel family, they decided on a collection to reflect what Italy does best: Pinot Grigio Ramato (a Rosé), Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and Prosecco.
Sun Goddess wines are grown in Friuli, a wine region in Northeast Italy bordering Austria and Slovenia. The climate here is unique as well as the grape varietals that are grown.
It doesn’t stop with simply making wine for Blige. Currently, she is producing a new show called “The Wine Down” with the BET network. She will host and executive-produce the show, bringing on guests from various industries while talking, singing, and sipping wine. I’m setting my DVR for that one as soon as it comes out!
Honoring Black History Makers
Black owners and winemakers are making important inroads into the world of wine. Seeing local wine stores dedicating shelves to Black winemakers and owners is a positive step.
But while we celebrate baby steps, it’s important to be a solution to the roadblocks that hinder Black ownership and winemaking. Many point to challenges with racism in financial capital, so many entrepreneurs are forced to self-fund. The good news is that there’s a focus on inclusivity in the wine and spirit world, and we can celebrate what minority entrepreneurs are doing. That’s why ReserveBar started the Spirited Change Initiative — to support Black, BIPOC, and woman-owned businesses through key partnerships and promote equality within the industry.
To find out more, consider the following resources — Association of African American Vintners (AAAV)"), which was formed to focus on growing the awareness of diversity in the industry; Black Vines, a wine festival featuring Black wineries; and The Hue Society, which brings Black and brown access to the wine industry.
There are many ways to support Black businesses across industries — supporting Black makers in spirits being one of them. The next time you shop for wine or spirits, check out these and other Black-owned labels.
