February is Black History Month—a time to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black individuals to business, culture, and more.
This article is one small way to honor the lasting impact they’ve made.
In the wine industry, which has long been dominated by a narrow demographic, Black winemakers are gaining recognition for their exceptional wines -- and, in doing so, they're paving the way for a more inclusive future. This is evident in the tenfold increase in Black-owned wineries in the U.S. since the 1990s.
From the founding of the first black-owned winery in 1940, Woburn Winery, there are now over 130 Black owned wineries, just in the U.S.
From California to South Africa, Black vintners are producing world-class wines that reflect both terroir and personal stories.
Some standout names include:
André Hueston Mack (Maison Noir Wines) – A former sommelier-turned-winemaker bringing bold and unconventional wines to the table. I'm pretty sure you've seen his YouTube videos!
Iris Rideau (Rideau Vineyards) – The first Black woman to own a winery in the U.S. and was awarded the Pioneer and Legend Award from the Hue Society.
Theodora Lee (Theopolis Vineyards) – A Texas-born powerhouse crafting award-winning Petite Sirah in California.
Bertony Faustin (Abbey Creek Vineyard) – Oregon’s first Black winemaker, making small-batch wines with BIG personality.
Phil Long (Longevity Wines) – Founder of one of the few Black-owned wineries in Livermore Valley and president of the Association of African American Vintners.
Tahiirah Habibi (The Hue Society) – Not a winemaker, but a major force in making the wine industry more inclusive and accessible.
Robin/Andrea McBride (McBride Sisters) – Selected as one of the best vintners in the world by Wine Spectator.
Ntsiki Biyela (Aslina Wines) – South Africa’s first Black female winemaker, voted Woman Winemaker of the Year in 2009.
Additionally, here are four impressive milestones worth highlighting:
Thomas Price: Made history in 2012 as the first Black master sommelier.
Carlton McCoy: Achieved the coveted master sommelier title in 2013, solidifying his place among the wine elite.
Vincent Morrow: Earned his master sommelier title in 2019 and now brings his expertise as the beverage director at Press Restaurant in Napa Valley.
Chris Gaither: Joined the ranks of master sommeliers in 2022 and, alongside his wife, has opened a restaurant in San Francisco.
Each of these achievements demonstrates true dedication to the craft and serves as an inspiration for the next generation of wine professionals.
Supporting Black-owned wineries is not only a celebration of their accomplishments but also a recognition of their contributions and a step toward fostering greater inclusion in an industry with significant room for growth.
This Black History Month, let’s raise a glass to these trailblazers, try their wines, and keep the conversation going all year long.
