Looking to support black-owned businesses in the world of luxury? If you love fine wine, this one’s for you. We’ve gone in search of the top black winemakers to know right now. Our ace correspondent Abbie Martin Greenbaum has curated a list of some of the best black-owned wineries and vineyards in America and the vintners who run the business, along with details on how to buy their wine labels online. By the way, these would make great luxury gifts for the wine lover on your list!
here’s how to buy wine from a black-owned business
If you’re looking for Black luxury businesses and brands to support, look no further. All the way from Spain to California, stopping in Kansas and Brooklyn on the way, we present to you an international tour of some of the best Black-owned wine brands and vineyards.
Who are the top black winemakers and black-owned wine businesses right now?
And the best part? All of them have bottles available for online ordering.
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a growing community of black vintners
The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV), founded in 2002, currently reports having more than 30 vintner members. Even better? In a recent interview, one of the organization’s board members notes: “Every day I find there’s another new African American–owned winery. We’ve had several join in the last few days. To me, that’s the difference. How many are there? Maybe there’s 60, maybe there’s 100. It’s still very small.”
Still, it’s a start and a foundation upon which to build.
The top black winemakers and black-owned wine businesses to know right now. Courtesy Photos.
Need further proof that black-owned wine businesses are part of the zeitgeist? Look no further than Netflix’s spring 2020 film Uncorked. Starring Mamoudou Athie, Courtney B. Vance and Niecy Nash, it’s a family drama about a black son working in the wine business who dreams of becoming a master sommelier. But his father runs a successful barbecue restaurant and wants to pass it on to his child.
The film sparked lots of conversation, including about the paucity of black-owned wine businesses and black vintners. The ultimate solution is getting more of these businesses to launch and thrive – and that’s where you come in, dear reader.
Send yourself a bottle of one of the wine labels on this list today, or find another black-owned wine business and become a regular customer.
Who are the top black winemakers and black-owned wine businesses right now? Photo Credit: Getty Images.
Once we’re free to gather socially again, we’re totally having a wine tasting party featuring these labels. In the meantime, though, we’ll happily imbibe with the members of our bubble.
Who are the Top Black Winemakers to Know Right Now?
1. Theopolis Vineyards
If you look at any list of the best wineries in the United States, chances are Theopolis Vineyards is going to be at the very top. Founder Theodora Lee is also known as “Theo-patra, Queen of the Vineyards” and you can taste the royalty in every bottle.
The top black winemakers and black-owned wine businesses in America: Theodora Lee. Photo Credit: Jessica Chou, Wine Spectator.
Located in the Yorkville Highlands of California, their grapes are the best you’re going to find, and the results are in their hand-crafted wine. You can join their monthly mail-order wine club here ($65-$576), or order a bottle here ($22-$42). This Yorkville Highlands Pinot Noir, flavored with red cherry and rose, looks like a killer bottle to start your drinking.
BUY NOW – $42.
2. Jenny Dawns Cellars
Jenny Dawn Cellars opened their doors in 2016, in the heart of Wichita, Kansas. Using grapes sourced locally and from California, founder Jennifer McDonald hand-crafts all of their wine on-site. You can find their eleven signature bottles at their tasting room downtown, and even try their aptly-named Union Station Chardonnay.
Top black winemakers and black-owned wineries: Jennifer McDonald of Jenny Dawn Cellars. Courtesy Photo.
And if you find yourself inspired, McDonald even offers a Wine Education program called “Wineucation,” so that you can get into the game yourself. If you’re at a distance, you can ship their wines ($19.99 – $49.99) to thirty-seven different states. We love this 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon.
BUY NOW – $49.
3. Maison Noir
Founder André Hueston Mack was once the sommelier for many of New York’s finest restaurants. Well, lucky for you, he now sells his distinctive and flavorful creations online, so you can try these special blends yourself.
Top black winemakers and black-owned wineries: André Hueston Mack of Maison Noir. Photo Courtesy Wine Spectator.
And if you love his inventive style, his brand happens to double as a fashion line – so you can wear his signature look. You will never forget any of his wines ($25 – $185), but perhaps the most memorable is the 2018 “Knock on Wood Chardonnay” which features honeydew melon, pear and starfruit.
BUY NOW – $25.
4. Esrever Wines
Founded by best friends Ashanti Middleton, Jasmine Dunn and Tyshemia Ladsonthree in Queens, New York, Esrever Wines is a passion project. And the brand behind one incredible wine.
Top black winemakers and black-owned wineries: Jasmine Dunn of Esrever Wines. Courtesy Photo.
The name speaks to the founders’ desire to reverse the weekend and experience it a second time – and is in fact reverse, reversed. And their wine is good enough to help you time travel. A sparkling blend of chardonnay and chenin blanc, it’s the kind of wine that feels like celebration and rest, no matter what day of the week you’re drinking. You can order a bottle here on Happy Cork.
BUY NOW – $18.
5. Amour Genève Wine
Have you ever heard of blue wine? Neither had we. But now we can’t wait to try it. Founder Coviello Salines made the wine in honor of his father, who adored the color blue.
Top black winemakers and black-owned wineries: Coviello Salines of Amour Geneve Wine. Courtesy Photo.
Made in Spain and in Italy, the wine is naturally blue from the pigmentation of Verdejo and Nebbiolo grapes. It tastes of peach, grapefruit and citrus, and is extremely light – and now you can order yourself a taster, and put yourself on the list for their vintage 2019 bottle.
PRE-ORDER NOW – $29.95.
6. Stuyvesant Champagne
If you’re craving a bottle of champagne, Stuyvesant Champagne is where you want to go. Founder Marvina Robinson has had a many-year love affair with the bubbly drink, and made it her ambition to produce her own brand, and make it some of the best.
Top black winemakers and black-owned wineries: Marvina Robinson of Stuyvesant Champagne. Photo Credit: Black Enterprise.
Working with a vineyard in France, she now sells an unforgettable Grand Reserve Brut ($57.95) and a Rosé ($66.95), which you can order separately or as a combination.
BUY NOW – $118.90.
7. Abbey Creek Vineyard
The first Black winemaker in the state of Oregon and one of the top black vintners in America, Bertony Faustin came to wine with a desire to leave his mark. And that’s exactly what he did. He forever changed Abbey Creek, creating the vineyard’s very first wine label in 2008.
How to buy wine from black winemakers: Bertony Faustin of Abbey Creek Vineyard.
Since then, he’s made a documentary called “Red, White and Black,” as well as a stunning catalogue of wines ($30 – $100) of course. Not sure where to start? Give the Sparkling Blanc de Noir #JanelleMonáe a whirl.
BUY NOW – $40.
8. Olé Orleans
Founder Kim Lewis is the beating heart of this Louisiana brand, whose wines are all handcrafted within the state, with an eye toward New Orleans’ history. They’re designed to drink while walking through your favorite part of the city.
How to buy wine from black winemakers: Kim Lewis, founder of Olé Orleans. Courtesy Photo.
You can look at all of their wines here ($20 – $24.99). The first on the list is the Olé Carrollton, which is made with Blanc Du Bois Grapes from West Monroe.
BUY NOW – $21.99.
9. P. Harrell Wines
There’s nothing quite like a wine brand that comes from someone who really has a passion for wine. And that’s the story behind P. Harrell, the San Francisco brand from Paula J Harrell.
How to buy wine from black winemakers: Paula J Harrell, founder of P. Harrell wines. Courtesy Photo.
Access her full shop here ($23-$35), and then consider ordering this 2017 Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley.
BUY NOW – $35.
10. McBride Sisters
The McBride Sisters have an incredible story: they were raised separately, one of them in New Zealand and one of them in California. Though they had never met, they both grew up around vineyards, and both developed a love of wine. And now they are owners of the largest Black-owned wine company in the US.
How to buy wine from black winemakers: The McBride Sisters. Photo Credit: Fabian John.
You can shop their signature “She-Can” cans and their bottles here ($16.99 – $72.16). If you’re just trying their brand for the first time, the cans are their trademark product, and definitely the way to start. Order a 4-pack of their dry rosé to help you enjoy the rest of summer.
BUY NOW – $23.99.
11. Charles Wine Company
A boutique, family-owned wine brand, Charles Wine Company sources all their wines from vineyards in the Sierra foothills of California. Husband and wife founders Paul and Cherise Charles began their journey in 2006 and have since built a thriving business.
Top black vintners in America: Charles Wine Company. Courtesy Photo.
They aim to make unique, authentic wines, inspired by the wines they have tasted from their world travels. Choose here between their Symphony ($18), their Zinfandel ($24), and their Cabernet Sauvignon ($24).
12. Longevity Wines
Another boutique family operation, Longevity Wines is located in the Livermore Valley. Founder Phil Long, one of the country’s top black vintners, is meticulous about his process, controlling the wine craft every step of the way. He’s also the president of the American Association of African-American Vintners.
Top black vintners and best black-owned wineries in America: Phil Long, founder of Longevity Wines. Photo Credit: Black Enterprise.
The team at Longevity knows that each bottle is going to be part of a memory for the people who drink it, and that’s why they strive for perfection. You can join their wine club ($45-$140), or order a bottle online ($19-$44).
how to buy wine from top black winemakers
Those are some of the best black-owned wineries in America and the top black vintners who run the business, along with details on how to buy their wine labels online. For yourself, for a host or hostess gift, or a holiday gift, keep these labels on your list!
join our community
For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.
Abbie Martin Greenbaum grew up in New York City and currently lives in Brooklyn, where she drinks a lot of coffee and matches roommates together for a living. At Oberlin College, she studied English and Cinema, which are still two of her favorite things, along with dessert and musical theater. She believes in magic.
Join our community
For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier newsletter. And see luxury in a new light.