The Blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice.
What Black History Month means to me as a Black wine professional
Happy Thursday, friends.
Whew! It’s been a whirlwind these last few days, but I’m grateful for what I’ve been able to accomplish in my very abbreviated (read: limited) schedule.
The other day, I was asked what the significance of February means to me as a Black woman in wine, and I couldn’t help but think about the countless Black wine professionals who have paved the way for me in so many ways.
From the sommeliers, winemakers, and beverage directors to the marketing, distribution, and sales reps, to the Black women writers who I continue to admire up close and from afar, the impact that Black people continue to have on wine culture is constantly getting deeper and wider. Are there still barriers to entry and hurdles for us to clear? Absolutely. However, (and I can only speak for myself) the more I hear “no” or “we’re not interested” or “thanks, but maybe next time”, it only gives me the power to want to innovate, ideate, and create new paths for success. Not just for me, but for the Black people who will soon enter this industry.
At the end of the day though, I’m constantly reminded that wine is an agricultural product – one that requires a great deal of precision, patience, and persistence.
As a writer, author, sommelier, and wine culture expert, it is my job to craft thoughtful stories about the fermented grape juice I taste and to empower wine lovers at all levels to expand their palates and travel to these wonderful regions.
Additionally, as a Black person in this space, it is also my job to fervently uplift, encourage, and charge YOU, THE CONSUMER:
To patronize Black-owned wine businesses like 3 Parks Wine in Atlanta, Happy Cork in Brooklyn, Coco Noir Wine Shop & Bar in Oakland; House of Pur Vin in Detroit; Urban Grape in Boston and D.C.; Sip Wine & Beer in Escondido, CA; Graft Wine Shope & Wine Bar, in Charleston, Ungrafted in San Francisco, Pur Noir in Houston, and 2048 Non-Alcoholic Wine Shop right here in Chicago.
To support Black-founded wine nonprofits like The Roots Fund and Wine Unify.
To order directly from Black wine brands such as Michael Lavelle, LoveLee wines, Darko Wines, The Guilty Grape, Stuyvesant Champagne, Mela Vino, Mom Juice, Sapere Wines, Maison Noir, McBride Sisters, Stoney Wines, Wachira Wines, Boyd Cru Wines, Bodkin Wines, Theopolis Vineyards, Longevity Wines, Wade Cellars, Chosen Family Wines, Seventh Estate, and Brown Estate.
To read the work of Black wine writers like Julia Coney, Dorothy J. Gaiter, Sedale McDale, Alisha Somner, Janice Williams, Candace Keeton, Noel Burgess, Maih Johnson Dunn, Mariah Hunt, Shakeira Jones, Jacy Topps, Charles Springfield, Davon D. E. Hatchett-Robinson, Wanda Mann, Kat René, Nia Gordon, Yolanda Shoshana, and Reggie Solomon.
To listen to Black wine podcasts like The Swirl Suite, Wine & Hip Hop, Through The Grapevine, Interpreting Wine, The Millennial Somm, and The Color of Wine.
AND! To hire Black sommeliers, wine educators, and event curators like Desiree Harrison-Brown, Ken Pettus, Derrick Westbrook, Francisco Joseph, Regine T. Rousseau, Kelly Mitchell, Monica Jones, Vincent Moten, DJ Alston, Natalie Fraizer, Jessica Buck, Jaton Gunter, Nadie Brown, Michelle Webb, Alisha Blackwell-Calvert, Ty Morrison, and Shayla Varnado…just to name a few.
**Charge it to my head and not my heart if you didn’t see your name listed - this was straight off the top!**
Keep scrolling for wine news and upcoming wine events. Cheers to a beautiful weekend.
ALL BLACK EVERYTHING, A WINE TASTING.
Next Wednesday, February 28, I’m super excited to collaborate with my friends Atmos Coffee in Humbolt Park to host a Black-owned wine-tasting event!
This guided tasting will feature a curated menu of Black-owned wines and local food pairings, and a sneak peek at my book, Wine Convo Generator, which drops March 12!
Click here to purchase your tickets!
WINE-ish NEWS + EVENTS
NBA legend and wine proprietor Dwyane Wade sits down with his homie Carmelo Anthony on an episode of his new podcast, The Why.
If you want to experience more Black-owned wines, then you should pull up to the African American Viticultural Association’s Wine Festival next month.
The 67 Global Wine Communicator Awards are accepting entries until March 10, so don’t wait to apply!
PRE-ORDER WINE CONVO GENERATOR!
March 12 is right around the corner, but there’s still time to pre-order your copy!
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❤️❤️
Thanks for the shout out, Chasity! Happy Black History Month!