The Melanin Unicorn Podcast

From Vine To Glass, Black Women Are Rewriting The Wine World

• Kerry • Season 2 • Episode 20

Share episode

A good glass tells a story—but what happens when the storytellers own the vineyard, write the label, and invite the community in? We dive into the rise of Black women in wine, where legacy meets leadership and joy meets craft, from homegrown traditions to thriving brands that set the tone for what’s next.

We share how historic gatekeeping made wine feel distant, then spotlight the women who flipped the script. From the McBride Sisters’ coast-to-coast roots to Krishan Lampley’s bold Love Corkscrew, from Theodora Lee’s Theopolis Vineyards to Marvina Robinson’s B. Stuyvesant Champagne, these makers are not just placing bottles on shelves—they’re redefining access, taste, and culture. Along the way, we explore the intimacy of wine as self-care and community: the solo exhale after a long day, the brunch toast that becomes a salon, and the way a shared bottle can turn goals into plans.

You’ll hear practical ways to support this movement—buy direct when you can, ask local shops to stock Black-owned labels, and use tastings or virtual clubs to learn your palate. We talk pairings that feel like home, from crisp Sauvignon Blanc with fresh dishes to plush reds with soul food, and the bright lift of Prosecco for celebrations. Most of all, we celebrate the future: more vineyards, more education, and more seats at the table built by the women who own it.

If this conversation poured into your day, tap follow, leave a quick review, and share the episode with someone who loves wine. Tag us on Instagram at the Melanin Unicorn Podcast and tell us what bottle we should try next. Cheers to flavor, ownership, and legacy in every glass.

Send us a text

Kerry:

Hey, hey, hey, tribe! And welcome back to the Melanin Unicorn Podcast. Have I got an episode for you today? And it is titled Black Women in Wine, a Legacy in Every Glass. This podcast, we're gonna pour up truth, culture, and connection one glass at a time. I'm your host, Kerry, and today's episode is all about a subject near and dear to my heart, and that is black women and wine. That's right. This is about more than just sipping rose on a sunny day. Although we love that too. We are diving into the deep roots, the rising power, and the joy that black women are bringing to the world of wine. So whether you've got a Sauvignon Blanc in your glass or you're rocking with a bold red, get comfy and let's uncork this conversation. So let's start with this. Black women have always found ways to create joy, connection, and celebration, often around food and drink. But when it comes to wine, the historical access hasn't always been equal. For years, wine was marketed and gate kept as something for the elite, white, and wealthy. But guess what? Black women have been shifting that narrative in a powerful, powerful way. Whether it was our aunties, making homemade fruit wine at family reunions, y'all remember those, or now owning vineyards and launching wine brands. The legacy is real. And we're not just drinking it. Oh no, honey. We are making it, we are selling it, we are teaching it, and we are reshaping what wine culture looks like. Here is a quote from Theodora Lee, a black vintner. She said, 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. So let's speak about some real trailblazers. Did you know that women like Robin McBride and Andrea McBride John of the McBride Sisters collection are running the largest black-owned wine company in the U.S.? They went from growing up on opposite sides of the world, California and New Zealand, to building a wine empire that is rooted in sisterhood, sustainability, and empowerment. And I might add legacy. Or how about Krishan Lampley? She's the founder of the Love Corkscrew, who's shaking up the wine world with bold branding and unapologetic black girl magic. Here are some additional names of black women owned wines, and hopefully, if you haven't already, want to try. Donna Stoney is the creator of Stony Wines. Nicole Roche is the creator of the Roche Collection. Nicole Kearney is the creator of Sip and Cheer Wines. Paula J. Harrell is the creator of P. Harold Wines. Donna Darjeen Jones is the creator of Darjeen Jones wines. Marvina Robison, she is the creator of B. Stuyvesant. Now, this is not a wine. She specializes in champagne. So my champagne drinkers, please look up Marvina Robinson's B. Stuyvesant. And the B actually stands for Bedford Stuyvesant. That is where I was born and raised. Whoop-whoop. And then you have Theodora Lee, who I mentioned earlier from her quote, she is a trial attorney and the creator of the Opolis Vineyards. And then you have our girl Issa Ray, who is the creator of VRay. And this is a proseco line. These women and so many others are not just disrupting the wine game, they are rewriting the rules. It's a ritual. A solo glass after a long day, a toast with your girls, that perfect pairing with some good old soul food. Wine is luxury, yes, but it's also love. For black women especially, it can be an act of self-care. A moment to slow down, a way to reclaim space in a world that too often demands too much from us. And we deserve that sip, that softness, that celebration. And I can tell you for myself, there is nothing like a cool glass of wine after a long day, or if I'm out chilling with my girls, you know, we're doing lunch, brunch, or dinner, and a nice glass of wine poured into our glass as we sip, talk, love on each other, laugh, talk about our dreams, our goals, our hearts' desires. What we see ourselves doing either right now, which is the present, or into the future. A nice glass sitting around with your tribe is a beautiful, beautiful thing. Because it is a chance for us to just relax, sit back, and just be and just enjoy each other. Cause when we are sipping a glass of wine, whether alone or with our our tribe, there is a sense of peace, a sense of letting go, a sense of not being caught up with what is going on at the moment, a sense of minding our business and just chilling, not being concerned about what is actually going on outside of us, or things that we just can't control. It is literally about that legacy in every glass, in every sip, and every toast that we make, whether you are toasting with your tribe or you are toasting alone. It is still the same. Turning the wine business upside down on its head and spinning it like a top. Because we are out here building, we are buying vineyards, we many, many people have left their full-time businesses, you know, their full-time jobs, excuse me, and have uh dived headfirst into the beauty of winemaking. And I love that because honestly, that is a dream of mine as well. Having a vineyard, creating wines. I already have the names picked out, what what type of wines they should be. I'm just I'm just excited. I'm excited for that next turn in my life, and that is to be a winemaker. So what's next? What's next? The wine world is changing, and black women are leading, and we are not following anybody. We are creators, and we are creating our own lanes and our own wines. From wine tastings in the Bronx to vineyards in Napa to virtual wine clubs that feel like home. The future is flavorful, vibrant, and beautifully black. So, the next time you raise a glass, please think about the hands behind that bottle. The passion, the legacy, the black woman magic in every pore, in every sip, and in every clink of your glass. And please, share it with someone that you know. Share it with another sister that is a wine lover as well. Thank you so much for tuning in to the Melanin Unicorn Podcast. And if you love this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and again, share it with your sister friends. I can be found on Instagram at the Melanin Unicorn Podcast. With your favorite wine.

Contributor

Kerry

Host