WELCOME TO MY NEWLY LAUNCHED BLOG PAGE, I’m so excited you’re here! 

This will hopefully be the first of many blog posts where I’ll share foodie highlights, cocktail recipes, wine recos, and food photography tips. And what better way to kick things off than by sharing a list of some black-owned wine brands you should try!

When I started buying more wine last year (like so many others in 2020), I had honestly never heard of any of these wine makers. But after doing some research, I was shocked to see how many black wine makers and black-owned wine brands exist. And not just exist, but are winning awards and racking up accolades left, right, and center!

This list is far from exhaustive and includes just the wines I’ve been fortunate enough to find locally and try personally. Most were purchased at Harlem Wine Gallery (https://harlemwinegallery.com) right here in Harlem (this is not sponsored post btw, just a genuine reco). They have an impressive collection of black owned wines and the owners are super friendly and knowledgeable. They take the time to genuinely help you make a selection and answer any questions you might have. I’m far from being a wine expert, so it’s nice to know I can ask questions without feeling like a nuisance!

So here they are…check out these black-owned wine brands:

1) Black Girl Magic Red Blend By Mcbride Sisters

Website: https://www.mcbridesisters.com

Instagram: @mcbridesisters , @blackgirlmagicwines

Vintage: 2018

Varietal: Red Blend

Region: California

Alcohol %: 13.5

This wine was the first on my now ever-growing list of black owned wine brands to try. I was so excited when I found it and it’s now my go-to everyday red wine! If you love a full-bodied red wine with a round finish, this one’s a great pick. Here is the full flavor profile description from the BGM website:

“A gorgeous red wine with fruit-forward aromas of black cherry and fleshy red plum. It's smooth, full-bodied palate has continuing notes of cherry and plum with added cedar and vanilla, from the extended oak aging. The finish is round and luxurious with layers of perfectly balanced tannin on lush fruit. This is a perfect date night wine. Pairs easily with a steak dinner, grilled chicken, or even baked pasta. Drinks well in the bathtub too.” 

Their Red Blend is one of many wine varieties under the Black Girl Magic brand. They also Zinfadel, Merlot, Rosé, Riesling, and Sparkling Brut (#2 on my list here). All, except the Red Blend are available for purchase online.

2) BLACK GIRL MAGIC Sparkling Brut by McBride Sisters 

Website: https://www.mcbridesisters.com

Instagram: @mcbridesisters , @blackgirlmagicwines

Vintage: n/a

Varietal: Blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay

Region: California

Alcohol %: 13.0

This Sparkling Brut is absolutely delicious! It’s described as “beautifully aromatic and refreshing with the perfect balance of lush fruit and delicate tart bubbles. There's lovely pineapple, melon and floral aromas on the nose with ripe pear, crisp apple, and white peach on the palate.” 

Did you know that “brut” (pronounced “brute” or “broot”) refers to a style of wine making (vs. a varietal or type of grape used)? It is the lowest on an ascending sweetness scale for sparkling wine, making it the driest type with no sweetness.

This makes sense, since the crispness and dryness was the first thing I noticed when I tasted this. I tell you, the stuff you learn when you’re researching wine. The food scientist in me was so excited haha!

3) WHERE’S LINUS? Sauvignon Blanc by Chris Christensen 

Vintage: 2019

Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: California

Where’s Linus? is a natural Sauvignon Blanc from Northern California by black winemaker Chris Christensen. He’s an award-winning winemaker, founder of Bodkin wines (IG: @bodkinwines , website: https://www.bodkinwines.com), and creator of America’s first sparkling Sauvignon Blanc.

I didn’t know much about natural wines when I picked up this bottle, in fact this is the first one I’ve ever had. When you pick up a bottle of natural wine, the first thing you’ll notice is that it’s cloudy. That’s because natural wines are usually unfiltered or minimally filtered. They’re also made with handpicked grapes free of pesticides and herbicides, use indigenous yeast for fermentation, and have little or no sulfites.

This is a drier wine with crisp, fresh citrus notes. 

4) IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING Cabernet Sauvignon by Maison Noir Wines

Website: https://maisonnoirwines.com

Instagram: @maisonnoirwines

Vintage: 2018

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Oregon

Maison Noir Wines was founded in 2007 by André Hueston Mack (@andrehmack), famed sommelier and wine educator. According to their website, their wines are unique and distinctive garage wines, initially created for some of the New York's best restaurants for whom Mack was a sommelier. This includes Thomas Keller’s world-renowned restaurant Per Se in New York City where he was Head Sommelier.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is a fruity, smooth, medium to full body wine with notes of black cherries and blueberries. Maison Noir has several other brands, including O.P.P (Other People’s Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir), Knock On Wood Chardonnay, and Love Drunk Rosé. 

In Sheep’s Clothing is sold out online at the moment, but you might find it in your local wine shop. If not, Maison Noir has several other brands including O.P.P (Other People’s Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir), Knock On Wood Chardonnay, and Love Drunk Rosé. 

5) SUN GODDESS Pinot Grigio by Mary J. Blige

Website: https://www.sungoddesswines.com

Instagram: @sungoddesswines

Vintage: 2018

Varietal: Pinot Grigio

Region: Italy (by the Fantinel family in Friuli Venezia Giulia)

Alcohol %: 12.5

Inspired by her deep love of Pinot Grigio, Mary J Blige partnered with Marco Fantinel of Fantinel Winery to create Sun Goddess wines. The name and logo both reflect her love of the island sun. In fact, Sun Goddess is what her sister started to call her after one of their vacations together (love it!). For Mary, the sun has the power to transform one’s mood and (in the case of wine) its flavor and complexity. 

This Pinot Grigio Ramato has a beautiful copper/pinkish hue because the red grapes (not white grapes, which I was surprised to learn) are macerating with its skins. Depending on the length of the process, the wine will be pale pink to dark orange in color. 

It’s described as having an elegant and complex aroma, with hints of peach, melon, blackberries and earthy notes. It’s less sweet and on the drier side with a nice crispness, acidity, and clean finish.

Sun Goddess also offers a Sauvignon Blanc, which I can’t wait to try next. 

So, what do you think? Feel free to drop a comment below.

I’d love to know if you’ve had any of these wines before or if this was helpful/interesting to you.

Until next time, cheers!

- Gabrielle