Buying Black: The Wine and Spirits Edition

In the words of Issa Rae, “I’m rooting for everybody Black,” and that includes spending dollars with Black-owned companies. This may be especially important now, as an estimated 41 percent of Black-owned businesses across the country shuttered between February and April 2020, according to an August 2020 report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Meanwhile, white-owned businesses fell by 17 percent, the report noted.

So we compiled a list of Black-owned or Black-led spirit companies that also happen to be founded or run by women.

Wine It Up  

Robin and Andréa McBride, also known as the McBride Sisters, have curated collections of wines such as the McBride Sisters Collection and SHE CAN Spritzers. The McBride Sisters Collections feature a chardonnay and red blend from Central Coast, California, and from Marlborough, New Zealand, a sauvignon blanc and brut rosé, and is sold in a bundle of four (for about $75) or by the bottle. Meanwhile, SHE CAN Spritzers (about $28 for four) are available in island citrus and coastal berry flavors, adding a bubbly remix to the brand’s California rosé.  Shop the wines and spritzers at McBrideSisters.com.

Nestled in Anderson Valley in California is Theopolis Vineyards, owned and founded by Theodora R. Lee, a Texan and San Francisco trial lawyer. This small vineyard has released award-winning wines, including a petite sirah, which gives wine drinkers a robust taste of currents, black tea, dark chocolate and tobacco. Shop the collection, with a starting price point of $22, at TheopolisVineyards.com. Varietals include petite sirahs and a pinot noir with a taste of cranberry and aroma of red cherry and rose petals.

Owned by attorney Lindsey Williams, Davidson Wine Co.markets itself as “the first urban winery” in Davidson, North Carolina. With global sourcing for fresh ingredients — grapes from international vineyards — the winery crafts 50 different kinds of wine. Offerings include merlot, cabernets and even ports. It also offers traditionally hard-to-find wines like petite verdot and barolos made from the nebbiolo grape, which is hard to grow. Order online at DavidsonWineCo.com; regular prices start at about $24.

Seeing Spirits

HH Bespoke Spirits is a family-owned business run by CEO Sharene Wood, drawing inspiration from the culture and style of the Harlem Renaissance. The brand offers a signature rum (with hints of butterscotch), gin (with moderate juniper flavors) and vodka (made in small batches). You can buy via WarehouseWinesandSpirits.com for pickup, local delivery or shipping, with each priced at $49.99.