Black-Owned Wineries & Brands Soar: New Horizons and Industry Triumphs

Celebrating a Vintage Year for Black-Owned Wine Excellence

The landscape of American wine is undergoing a vibrant transformation, with Black-owned wineries and brands consistently pushing boundaries, garnering prestigious recognition, and expanding their reach. From groundbreaking vineyard developments to highly anticipated new releases, the industry is buzzing with the entrepreneurial spirit and winemaking prowess of Black vintners. At DISTRYB, we are thrilled to spotlight these remarkable achievements, reinforcing our commitment to documenting and celebrating Black excellence in the beverage industry.

Clyopatra Winery & Vineyard: Building a Legacy on the East Coast

A monumental development is underway in Maryland with Clyopatra Winery & Vineyard, which broke ground on its transformative Vineyard Village Resort in February 2026. This ambitious expansion is set to establish Clyopatra as the largest Black female-owned winery and vineyard on the East Coast. Moreover, it marks a historic milestone as the first African immigrant-owned winery and vineyard in the United States. Located in Laurel, Maryland, on approximately 41 acres, Phase One of the project includes extensive vineyard planting, essential agricultural infrastructure, and a dedicated winery tasting room. Future plans envision a 20-bedroom boutique hotel and a golf range, creating a comprehensive agritourism destination rooted in cultural diversity and community impact.

1010 Wine & Events Crowned America's Best Wine Bar

In a significant nod to retail innovation and curated experiences, 1010 Wine & Events in Inglewood, California, was celebrated as the “Best Wine Bar in America 2025” by USA Today. This luxury establishment, co-owned by sisters Leslie and Le Jones, holds the distinction of being the first and only Black woman-owned wine bar in Inglewood. Beyond its impressive accolade, 1010 Wine & Events is lauded for featuring the largest selection of Black-owned wine brands, offering a crucial platform for visibility and access within the industry.

AAAV Symposium Honors Industry Trailblazers and Innovators

The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) continues to be a driving force in fostering diversity and recognizing exceptional talent. Their biennial 2024 AAAV Wine Symposium, held in early March 2024, honored several Black wine entrepreneurs for their outstanding contributions. The prestigious 2024 Trailblazer Award was presented to Iris Rideau, recognized as the first Black woman in America to own and operate a vineyard. Christopher Renfro, a winemaker and activist dedicated to transformative change using hybrid and indigenous grapes, received the 2024 Innovation Award. Further celebrating community impact, Leslie and Le Jones of 1010 Wine & Events were also recognized with the Community Impact Award. This symposium underscores the vital role of advocacy organizations like AAAV in uplifting and empowering Black voices in wine.

Exciting Releases and Continued Growth from Established and Emerging Brands

The industry's dynamism is also reflected in a series of notable new releases and ongoing developments from a diverse array of Black-owned brands:

• New Vintages and Varietals: Actress Regina King's MianU Wines made a splash with its 2024 debut vintage, a delightful Gewürztraminer-Chardonnay blend, and continues to offer a limited-edition Syrah. Additionally, Lucky Girl Rose unveiled its 2025 sparkling wine, described with elegant notes of stone fruit and citrus.
• Expanding Horizons in Virginia: The Nokesville, Virginia, area welcomed Diamond Farm Winery and Brewery (formerly Oasis Farm Brewery and Winery) with its initial debut in April 2024. This Black-owned establishment is set to open its public tasting room in Spring 2025, with an elegant manor house anticipated later in 2025.
• McBride Sisters Collection's Strategic Growth: The McBride Sisters Collection, recognized as the largest Black-owned, women-led wine company in the U.S., continued its strategic expansion by acquiring its first vineyard in Napa in 2023. Their popular Black Girl Magic label also became the wine of choice on Alaska Airlines in 2023, showcasing significant market penetration.
• Pioneering Brands Maintain Momentum: Established powerhouses like Brown Estate, the first Black-owned estate winery in Napa Valley, and Theopolis Vineyards, helmed by Theodora R. Lee, one of the first Black women to own and operate a U.S. winery, continue to craft critically acclaimed wines and inspire future generations. Longevity Wines' founder, Phil Long, also continues his vital work as President of the AAAV, an organization that has seen its membership grow by over 500% since June 2020.

The collective achievements of these Black-owned wineries and wine brands highlight a period of remarkable growth, innovation, and well-deserved recognition within the broader wine industry. DISTRYB is proud to shine a light on these inspiring stories and encourages enthusiasts everywhere to explore and support these exceptional brands.

Sources

• A Guide to 150+ Black-Owned Wineries in the US and Abroad - Kanale Travels
• Get to Know the Most Influential Black-Owned Wineries in the U.S. - Wine Enthusiast
• National Drink Wine: 7 Black-Owned Wine Brands To Sip On - Hot 100.9
• The Black-Owned Edit: 5 Must-Have Wines for Every Mood - BET
• Get To Know These 13 Black-Owned Breweries & Wineries | News - BET
• Maryland's increasing diversity has meant more Black-owned wineries - The Washington Post
• 6 Black Owned Wineries You Should Know | Alcohol Professor
• Black Women-Owned 1010 Wine Named Best Wine Bar In America
• New Black-Owned Brewery & Winery Coming to Prince William
• New Black-Owned Brewery & Winery Coming to Prince William, Virginia
• National Drink Wine: 8 Black-Owned Wine Brands To Sip On - Hello Beautiful
• Black-Owned Wineries To Add To Your 2024 Wine Trail
• 20 Black-Owned Wine Brands You Need to Add to Your Rotation
• 7 Black-Owned Wine Brands Our Editors Love | SevenFifty Daily
• Association of African American Vintners – We Make Wine Inclusive
• FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Clyopatra Winery & Vineyard and Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation Celebrate Groundbreaking of Transformational Vineyard Village Resort
• Clyopatra Winery Vineyard – First African Owned Winery in the US