10 Black Female-Owned Wines You Need to Try
Add these bottles to your next celebration.
Pictured: Chrishon Lampley, Founder of Love Cork Screw; Photo: Christian De'Mar
Only one percent of the 11,000 wineries in the United States are Black-owned, according to the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) — and even fewer have Black female ownership. The Black female-led wineries that do exist span independent wineries, self-distributed direct-to-consumer brands and a newly released prosecco from one of the country’s largest wine companies. Collectively, they are changing the game by creating legacies, increasing representation within a mostly white and male-dominated industry, and leading the way for the next generation of wine entrepreneurs. Here are a few of the Black female-led wine companies to try.
Actress, writer and producer Issa Rae released her own line of prosecco in October 2023 as an homage to her character Issa Dee’s signature drink — prosecco with a splash of gin or vodka — on her television series Insecure. Produced by California-based E. & J. Gallo Winery, the world’s largest family-owned winery, the prosecco features grapes sourced from Treviso, Italy. With its gold and brown packaging, colors meant to serve as a nod to Black women in the wine industry, Issa sought to provide a way to “celebrate life’s special moments” with a bit of bubbly. Prices for Viarae start at $18.99 per bottle. It’s sold in wine shops and liquor stores nationwide and can also be found at Target.
Sisters Robin and Andréa McBride grew up on completely different sides of the world — California and New Zealand, respectively — and they discovered they both had a passion for wine when they reconnected as adults. Fast forward to today, McBride Sisters is the largest Black-owned wine company in the U.S., and their grapes are sourced in the areas where each sister grew up. Their label has three brands: McBride Sisters Collection, Black Girl Magic Wines and SHE CAN Wines.
The Black Girl Magic range is focused on celebrating those who came before them, Andréa says. “Our father’s family grew up on a plantation in Alabama as sharecroppers. A big part of what we’re able to do today is because of the women in our family and community. So Black Girl Magic was the idea of paying homage and honoring [these] women. A Black woman in America’s experience is very different than a lot of other folks’, and we wanted to be able to celebrate when milestones happen, big or small.”
McBride Sisters
The SHE CAN Fund provides scholarships, mentorships and resources to women in male-dominated industries. “Coming up in our career, once you got to a certain level, you stopped seeing women and people of color. We wanted to be able to contribute in a meaningful way and help facilitate change,” Andréa says.
“We saw some really disturbing numbers early in the pandemic that showed how Black businesses were shuttering at a much faster rate, so we provided emergency cash grants for Black women entrepreneurs and distributed $300,000 in funding,” adds Robin. They also created a free wine school available on Facebook with infographics and videos integrated with pop culture references designed to make the lessons memorable. Some of the McBride Sisters’ bestselling bottles include Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Black Girl Magic Riesling. You can find their wines at Target, Albertsons, Kroger, Walmart, Total Wine, local wine shops and online.
Trial lawyer and vintner Theodora Lee, also known as Theo-patra, Queen of the Vineyards, was first introduced to wine by her law firm mentors who might open a bottle while closing deals. Originally from Texas, Lee’s father owned a cattle ranch and used to pick wild muscadine grapes to brew his own home wine. In 2001, she decided to get into the wine business. She developed her own vineyard, learned about viticulture, acquired land in the Yorkville Highlands of California’s Mendocino County and Theopolis Vineyards was born.
Photo courtesy of Theopolis Vineyard
A charter member of the AAAV, Lee is committed to fostering an inclusive wine culture. “I try to use my voice to make positive change and level the playing field,” she says. “To ensure equality and inclusivity for future generations, I created The Theopolis Vineyards Diversity Fund at the University of California, Davis, which provides one scholarship of up to $10,000 each year to students interested in viticulture and enology or managing a vineyard, with a preference for women of color.” Theopolis Vineyards specializes in an award-winning Petite Sirah, which is sold online and at select wine shops.
Founder and CEO Marvina Robinson named her wine company after her beloved childhood neighborhood, Bedford Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York. Her love of Champagne goes back to her college days, when she and friends would chip in to purchase a bottle and drink it on the stoop. Fast forward to today, B. Stuyvesant specializes in Champagnes, offering an array of cuvées from Brut Rosé to Premier Cru. Robinson strives to bring Champagne to all, stating, “Our brand represents the celebration of empowerment, authenticity, and the belief that champagne should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or status.” In addition to purchasing B. Stuyvesant Champagnes online, you can also visit the winery’s tasting room at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York.
Chrishon Lampley’s background in high-end retail sales led her to start her own wine company, Love Cork Screw. The company is based out of Chicago, and the majority of its grapes are sourced from nearby Michigan. Chrishon is adamant on making her wines accessible to all, which played a key role in how the wines are labeled and sold. “I wanted it to be fun and appeal to wine novice and enthusiasts alike. I think sometimes we can be so intimidated by names you can’t necessarily pronounce. People can easily remember We’re Movin On Up Cabernet Sauvignon, and buy it because they just got married or got a promotion or bought a new home. And, of course Head Over Heels Riesling just flies off the shelf for Valentine’s Day,” Chrishon says.
Love Cork Screw also sells wine-scented candles and body butters made by Black purveyors. Chrishon recently became Vice President of the AAAV and aims to uplift others in the industry through events like the annual Clink Festival. “I bring emerging women and BIPOC-owned wine and spirit brands together for a huge celebration so people can taste, appreciate, meet the makers and enjoy their offerings. We’re all so different, and I want us all to be seen. There’s enough for everyone to go around,” she says. Love Cork Screw can be found in select stores like Target, Whole Foods and Total Wine, and the company ships to 40 states.
Dawna Darjean Jones’ wine journey began while working as a plant pathologist addressing diseases that affected grapes in Napa Valley. Her agricultural passions soon transferred over to wanting to produce her own wines. Originally from Louisiana, and a first-generation winemaker, Jones specializes in small-production wines made from grapes grown across California. Her range includes an award-winning Cabernet Franc, and all bottles can be purchased online or at specialty wine shops in Texas and California.
Paula J. Harrell translated her entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen gained after working for her family’s real estate company to start her own wine company. “I love all things wine because it is one of those simple pleasures that seamlessly intertwine people from ALL walks of life,” she says. Based in Sonoma County, P. Harrell Wines pay homage to special places Harrell has traveled throughout her life, such as the Broadway Street Blanc de Noirs, a sparkling wine named after her elementary school. All P. Harrell Wines are sold online. Harrell is also the co-founder of the Oakland International Film Festival and plays an instrumental role in bringing Black film to the Bay Area.
Nicole Kearney, known as “the wine lady” among her friends and family, found her love of wine in grad school, when she would host wine tastings at her home. She transformed her passion into her own business, Sip and Share Wines, in 2016. Based out of Indianapolis, Sip and Share Wines specializes in vegan wines made with grapes sourced from Lodi, California. One of her best sellers is their Love White Zinfandel which can be purchased online.
Nicole Roché, the first Black female licensed wine maker in Michigan, created The Roché Collection after visiting vineyards in the area and deciding she wanted to make her own mark in the industry. The Roché Collection is sold in local stores in Michigan and can be shipped to select states when purchased on the company’s website, which also publishes pairing guides so wine lovers can plan the perfect dinner to match their bottles.
One of the first Black female winemakers in Oregon, Donna Stoney, founder of Stoney Wines, previously had a career in social services where she supported people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The importance of building community remains important to her; she believes that “a great glass of wine can unite those who share it.” Stoney Wines are produced in the Willamette Valley and include bottles of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and more on its company website.
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