Black-owned wineries in Napa and Sonoma are making waves within the wine business, and I’m right here to spotlight six of the perfect.
These wineries are a testomony to the excellence of Black winemakers. From established, family-run wineries to new initiatives with distinctive tasting experiences, you’ll discover one thing that fits your tastes.
Wine is all about exploration and discovery. Whether or not you’re a wine aficionado otherwise you’re simply beginning to respect the artwork of winemaking, get able to sip and savor among the greatest wines that Napa and Sonoma have to supply!
This put up focuses on Black wineries with tasting rooms that enable guests in Napa Valley and Sonoma County. There are numerous different Black winemakers with wines from each areas. Take a look at this checklist for more information.
Brown Property
Brown Property was based in 1995 and is predicated in Napa Valley and downtown Napa. Nevertheless, it’s historical past really goes again to 1980. That was when Dr.Bassett and Marcela Brown purchased a dilapidated 450-acre plot of land and rehabilitated it. The couple planted Zinfandel grapes that they bought to native winemakers.
In 1995, the couple’s youngsters (David, Coral, and Deneen Brown) determined that it was time for the household to do the winemaking, too. Enjoyable truth: Brown Property is the oldest of all of the Black-owned wineries in Napa Valley! It stays the one Black-owned property wineries in Napa Valley.
Zinfandel continues to be Brown Property’s specialty. Pink wine typically is what they do greatest, with vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. The common worth of their wines is within the ballpark of $60–$125.
If you wish to participate in a wine tasting, Brown Property’s tasting room in downtown Napa is open from Tuesday to Saturday. Stroll-ins are welcome on Tuesday and Wednesday however reservations are wanted from Thursday to Saturday. You’ll have three totally different instances to select from: 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, and 4 pm.
Brown Property has two totally different tasting experiences. Within the “Flight Tasting Expertise”, you may select between 2 four-wine flights for $50–55 per particular person. There’s additionally the “Paired Tasting Expertise” the place you style 5 wines together with small bites for $75 per particular person.
Deal with: 1005 Coombs St, Napa, CA 94559
Cellphone quantity: 707-963-2435
Housley Napa Valley
One other Black-owned vineyard positioned in downtown Napa is Housley Napa Valley. It was based in 2011, although the Housley household has an extended historical past of winemaking — over 44 years! The founders of Housley Napa Valley are Adam Housley and Tamera Mowry-Housley. Tamera of Tia and Tamera “Sister, Sister” TV present fame!
In an interview, Tamera shared that, earlier than she and Adam took over the vineyard, Adam’s father was contemplating promoting it. The actress has absolutely embraced the winemaking way of life and is concerned in each side of the vineyard!
Housley Napa Valley makes a speciality of Cabernet Sauvignon, although they produce a variety of wines, together with Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and glowing wine. Their wines vary from $20 to $50.
This vineyard is exclusive in that its tasting room doesn’t require any reservations in any respect. Cease by any day of the week between 11 am to 7 pm. In both their indoor or outside seating space, you may get pleasure from wines together with a wide range of wine nation meals. The usual five-wine tasting prices $25, although you may request additional wines for a further price (varies relying on the bottle).
Deal with: 1038 Clinton Road, Napa, CA 94559
Cellphone quantity: 707-690-9192
J. Moss Wines
Texas-born James Moss moved to California in 1998 to pursue his dream of opening a vineyard. J. Moss Wines began whereas he labored full-time, and the primary classic was produced in 2000.
It wasn’t till 2010 that the vineyard was absolutely established in Napa. The wait was properly price it. J. Moss Wines is now often called among the finest Black-owned wineries in Napa! Regardless of this, it’s nonetheless a small, family-owned initiative. It’s headed by James and his spouse Janet, together with their son Westley.
Moss Wines nearly solely produces Cabernet Sauvignon, although in addition they dabble in Chardonnay, Merlot, and Rosé. Most of their wines fall throughout the $70–125 vary.
Their tasting room is barely open from Friday to Saturday, with a alternative of three seating instances: 11 am, 1 pm, and three pm. Reservations are required and the associated fee is $45 per particular person for a five-wine tasting. Along with the wine tasting, your go to may even embrace a brief tour of the vineyard’s manufacturing space!
Deal with: 901 Enterprise Approach, Suite B, Napa, CA 94558
Cellphone quantity: 707-647-3388
Nook 103
Heading to the west for a bit, Nook 103 is a Black-owned vineyard in downtown Sonoma, Sonoma County. Nook 103 is the brand new child on the block, having been based in 2015. Nonetheless, they’ve proven that they deserve a spot on this checklist.
Nook 103 makes a speciality of crimson wines, with a formidable selection. They produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and extra. Their wines are sometimes within the $50–65 vary.
The founder, Lloyd Davis, grew up in a wine-loving household and opened Nook 103 with the aim of encouraging individuals to really feel snug studying about wine with out feeling intimidated.
To expertise this firsthand, make a journey to Nook 103’s tasting room. They’re open seven days every week and have loads of seating instances you may select from: any half-hour interval from 11 am to three pm. Their commonplace tasting expertise, the place you may get pleasure from any 5 of their wines, prices $30 per particular person.
They’ve two different tasting experiences which can be open solely to members of their free-to-join 103 Membership. These are a $45 cheese & wine pairing and a $60 meals & wine pairing.
Deal with: 103 W. Napa Road, Sonoma, CA 95476
Cellphone quantity: 707-931-6141
Fog Crest Winery
One other Sonoma County vineyard you must find out about is Fog Crest Winery in Sebastopol. Sebastopol is in Sonoma County. James and Rosalind Manoogian based Fog Crest Winery in 1998. With Rosalind being African-American, this places them among the many oldest Black-owned wineries in Napa and Sonoma.
Fog Crest Winery does each crimson and white wines amazingly properly. They specialise in Russian River Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and their costs are round $50–70.
The tasting room right here is open day by day from 11 am to five pm. Tastings are reservation solely. You could have two tasting experiences to select from. The primary is the Appellation Wine Tasting for $30, the place you’ll style 2 Chardonnays, 2 Pinot Noirs, and a rosé. There’s additionally the Pinot Noir Wine Tasting which is, properly, simply Pinot Noir — their specialty!
You can even add cheeses, a charcuterie platter, or a connoisseur lunch to your wine tasting at a further price ($50–70). James was a restaurateur in San Francisco earlier than he and his spouse moved north to Sonoma County, so you may belief the meals and wine pairings served right here!
Deal with: 7606 Occidental Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Cellphone quantity: 707-829-2006
Okapi Wines
From a walnut orchard to a winery — Dan and Kim Johnson reworked a plot of land into what would develop into one of the vital noteworthy Black-owned wineries in Napa! Their journey started in 2006 and Okapi Wines was absolutely established in 2013.
The classic they launched with was a Cabernet Sauvignon, which continues to be their specialty to at the present time. Their Cabernet Sauvignon bottles sometimes price $100–120, whereas blends and different wines are within the $30–70 ballpark.
Okapi Wines doesn’t have its personal standalone tasting room however you may style their wines at The Caves at Soda Canyon. They’re open day by day. Tastings are by reservation solely, at $75 per particular person.
Deal with: 4193 Huge Ranch Street, Napa, CA 94558 (tastings are at 2275 Soda Canyon Rd, Napa, CA 94558)
Cellphone quantity: 707-255-8117
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