the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice.
word to 2 PAC.
Happy Black History Month, y’all!
Despite all the tomfoolery going on in the federal government, I have to say that this has been THEE BLACKEST BLACK HISTORY MONTH we’ve had in a long time!
From Beyonce getting her just due at the Grammys, to Kendrick Lamar sweeping all of his categories and delivering an INCREDIBLY INSIGHTFUL Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show, to Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles snatching that W so fearlessly from the Kansas City Chiefs, I’m just happy that we all have this additional joy to embrace.
And since we are smack dab in the middle of the Blackest month of the year, I wanted to acknowledge some of my favorite stories I’ve been fortunate to write about Black folks in the wine and spirits industry throughout my career. (See them below!)
I don’t take for granted that I can authentically take up space in the wine industry as a Black woman. From my first byline for VinePair in 2016 to my most recent story on Brown Estate for Wine Enthusiast, I’ve made it my mission to spotlight and uplift Black people and our culture as I continue to move throughout this space.
Last week, while hosting a virtual wine tasting for a healthcare client, I was reminded of how much Black creativity and ownership have expanded in the wine industry over the last two decades.
But to know where we’re going, we must acknowledge our past. My fellow wine educator
Harrison-Brown gave an incredible Black wine history lesson on her Instagram account last week. Check it out here!And thanks to the ingenuity and courage of Mr. John June Lewis and Mr. Raymond Fedderman, we continue to plant better seeds to yield a stronger harvest for future generations.
The McBride Sisters are the largest Black-owned wine brand in the United States. Chris Gaither, Carlton McCoy Jr., Vincent Morrow, and Thomas Price the only Black Master Sommeliers in the world. Retail shops like 3 Parks Wine in Atlanta, Happy Cork in Brooklyn, Pur Noire in Houston, Graft Wine in Charleston, RichVA Wine in Richmond, The Urban Grape in Boston and D.C., and so many others are expanding how we think about wine in our communities. Organizations like The Roots Fund, The Veraison Project, The Hue Society, and Wine Unify (all led by Black wine professionals) are opening doors for more Black and brown people to blaze their trails in wine.
I could go on and on, but I share all of this to remind myself (and all of you) that we matter in the spaces we enter. No matter how bleak or uncertain the current times may seem, our work, creativity, and influence are impactful.
Keep scrolling for more juice, and I’ll holla next week!
-cc
BLACKITY BLACK BLACK WINE NEWS (PAST + PRESENT)
In July 2020, at the height of so much civil unrest in our country, columnist Eric Asmov penned this poignant piece for The New York Times about Black wine professionals and how we’ve always been here.
These Black Chicago sommeliers share wine wisdom for The Bear’s head wine steward (The TRiiBE)
Wade Cellars is on a mission to make wine more accessible (ANDSCAPE)
Ayesha Curry and Sydel Curry-Lee Talk Women in Wine (Bon Appetit)
For the Next Generation of Black Wine Professionals, Change Is Already Here (Imbibe Magazine)
The Long Game of Aged White Wines (Imbibe Magazine)
Uprooting the System (Oregon Wine Press)
Blacklight: Cleveland man becomes Ohio's first Black enologist (WYKC Studios)
How this Missouri sommelier is making the culture of wine more inclusive (PBS News)
COME SIP WITH WITH ME!
Next Saturday, February 22, I’m hosting a wine tasting at the Recreation Station in Bradley, Illinois! I’ve got some fun pairings prepared that will certainly tantalize your tastebuds. Register here!
INTERESTED IN EXPLORING WINE COUNTRY IN LODI, CALIFORNIA?
Then you should apply to this year’s Field Blends experience. I’ve been lucky enough to attend the Walla Walla and Traverse City experiences and WHEN I TELL YOU THEY WERE INCREDIBLE!? Maryam + Company does their big one every time and I’m confident. that the Lodi experience is going to be exceptional.
HIRE ME! 🍷
ICYMI, I host private and corporate wine tastings! Whether IRL or virtual, if you or someone you know wants to collaborate with me, please encourage them to swing my way!
GRAB A COPY OF WINE CONVO GENERATOR!
Forbes and Chicago Tribune recommended “Wine Convo Generator” as a wine book every wine lover should have. If you haven’t already, be sure to grab your copy today!
And if you do have a copy of Wine Convo Generator, please leave a review on Amazon!