‘Tis the season for never-ending holiday parties and secret-Santa gift exchanges. So if you need a gift for the wine lover or have plans to raise a glass to the holidays, check out a few black-owned wine brands.
Heritage Link Brands
Owned by husband and wife duo Khary and Selena Cuffe, Heritage Link Brands imports and produces a series of wines from indigenous African vintners and people of African descent. Their wine portfolio includes House of Mandela, M’hudi, One World, and Seven Sisters. Wines are available in stores and restaurants around the world.
[Related: Leading Through the Vines: Meet Wine Power Brokers Robin and Andréa McBride]
MYX Fusions
Owned by rapper and songwriter Nicki Minaj and reality TV powerhouse Mona Scott-Young, MYX Fusions produces a series of Sangria and Moscato wines. Both lines are available in the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, and Ireland.
McBride Sisters Truvée Wines
Owned by dynamic sister duo Andréa and Robin McBride, Truvée Wines produces affordable luxury wines including Chardonnay, 2013 Red Blend within the Central Coast of California, and eco.love wines from New Zealand.
Rideau Winery and Vineyards
As the first African American winemaker to own and operate a winery in the United States, Iris Rideau produces white and red varietals for online distribution only.
Mouton Noir Wines
Founded by sommelier André Hueston Mack in 2007, Mouton Noir Wines is a lifestyle brand producing both a T-shirt line and Oregon wines. “The wines are unique and distinctive garage wines, initially created for some of New York’s best restaurants for whom Mack was a sommelier and now available nationwide.” The apparel line is inspired by skateboarding, punk, and hip-hop cultures.
Vision Cellars Wine
As one of the few African American winemakers in California, owner and winemaker Edward Lee McDonald specializes in a variety of Pinot Noirs. The 2010 Las Alturas PN was served at The White House dinner for the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in August 2014, with the main course along with braised summer greens.