Robin and Andra McBride, founders of McBride Sisters Wines, are the first African-American sister duo to found and establish a wine company. The McBride sisters started their wine business in 2005, six years after meeting each other for the first time. "We had these dreams and had we not met, we probably wouldn't be in the wine industry, but we kinda felt like the stars lined up," Andra said. The sisters launched their newest brand in February. It was all the feels," she said. By the time the two of us met, our father had passed away. But, on most days you can usually find Andrea sipping the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Robin enjoying the Central Coast Red Blend, both are amazing expressions of our hometowns. In 2010, they started the McBride Sisters Wine Company. We didnt know what each other looked like. There's a lot of dynasties in wine. By value, sales are up 43 percent, to $5.52 million. Robin McBride and Andra McBride John are known for their story, two sisters raised half a world . She said they faced pushback and a "lack of recognition.". Total production stands at about 30,000 cases. Two wines hail from New Zealand, the Sauvignon Blanc, and Sparkling Brut Ros, and two wines from Californias Central Coast, the crisp Chardonnay, and Red Blend, not to mention their Black Girl Magic California Riesling limited exclusive collection. Andra McBride and her sister, Robin McBride, are the founders and owners of the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States, The McBride Sisters Wine Company, which topped $5 million . Gender: Female. EN RU CN DE ES. Robin was raised by her mother, Karen, more than 6,500 miles away in Monterey, California. according to Nielsen data cited by Wine Spectator. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, the two connected over their shared experiences while exploring wine regions up and down the California Coast, and before long, it became clear to the two that they wanted to turn their love of wine into a business. Among the bestsellers of the McBride Sisters roster are the wines in the Black Girl Magic Collection, which include a bright ros packed with notes of raspberry. ** The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Professional Development Fund is now accepting scholarship applications until July 31st. Enjoy Responsibly. Once united, an affinity for wine and wine making were among the things the sisters discovered they had in common. Figuring out which bottle of wine to buy is always difficult, so you might as well pick one that comes with a good story. New drug could slow one type of vision loss. Wine is agriculture, says Robin. We took the lionesses from our McBride Sisters Collection logo and placed an enlarged version on each SHE CAN. Both of use like barbecue and we make a barbecue sauce with our wine. Now, the company offers products across the United States and New Zealand and raked in over $5.5 million in sales for fiscal year 2020, according to Nielsen data cited by Wine Spectator. The African-American sisters are scheduled to launchtheir McBride Sisters Collection to Detroit and Michigan. The McBride Sisters logo is so much more than just a logo. I spoke to the sisters about their love for wine, their experiences being African-American women vintners and their vision for McBride Sisters Wine. The most rewarding parts are knowing how hard we've worked and how much we've sacrificed to get here and seeing the smile on someone's face when they first taste the wine. Robin McBride and Andra McBride John grew up on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean, Robin in Marlborough, New Zealand and Andra in Monterey, Calif. Randi Richardson is a reporter for TODAY Digital based in New York. But, as Andrea joked, We had two problems we didnt know anything about winemaking, and we didnt have any money., They jumped in by importing wines from New Zealand because the least amount of capital was needed, Andrea said. Reunited (in the end, their father wanted them to know each other), it was natural to join forces in the dream of a two-continent winery. Through their core values: sustainability, empowerment, innovation, and community, the McBride sisters were able to curate a unique wine experience for their customers for more than 13 years. We bought some wine and had 120 days to pay it back. RegisterforRobb ReportsCulinary Mastersnow. She notes that the two of them have very similar palates. Andra never doubted their intentions or efforts, but she did think their goal was unrealistic. Q: How did you get started? House of Pure Vin is a fantastic wine tasting place and shop and we have a lot of friends in Detroit. Birth Country: United States. We dont have any other siblings. The McBride Sisters crest weve created, which is a part of each bottles label, really illustrates and captures our story quite perfectly. "So I didn't know I was going to be talking to my sister as soon as I make the initial phone call. The family had been sending letters to every Robin McBride in the phone book until finally one made it to their intended recipient in Monterey, California. It was several years later, in 1999, when Robin, 26 at the time, opened a letter from her fathers sister asking her to call. The movie is all about the McBride sisters who reunite in Alaska to celebrate Suzanne's birthday and connect their past to the present. Theirwines will also be sold at Kroger stores. Robin: Overlooking to rocky coast of Monterey Bay. Andrea McBride: How we transitioned was basically a dream that we wanted to be wine makers and now weve been in the business for 12 years.Robin: That was the catalyst. In just the past 12 months, McBride Sisters Collection has sold more than 35,000 cases of wine in retail outlets, according to Nielsen, up 40 percent from the previous year. So, in an effort to bond, they went to wine tastings and vineyard tours. Please enter valid email address to continue. The sisters were born to different mothers, both in Los Angeles. Andrea: The profiles of wine we like to taste are similar. This is a Pinot thats bold enough to show a delicate, light-bodied side even in its opulence. So the two sisters immediately talked and decided to meet at LaGuardia Airport in New York the next day. What do you think about the current Rose trend? She was placed with a foster family at the age of 6. Meanwhile, if you hurry, theres just time to toast the New Year with their pink bubbly. Robin: I think Rose is great. And as it turned out, they shared more than an avant-garde father in L.A. The S is styled to look like a loc of our curly hair. When kid sister Andrea was 11, in 1995, she received a call from the father she didnt know. They had a dream . Through their core values: sustainability,. McBride Sisters: Women make up a small percentage of the wine industry and women of color even smaller. The collection also includes merlot, zinfandel, and a red blend, as well as a zesty sparkling brut thats perfect for toasting to special occasions. The wine event is open to the public and the sisters will be there to sign bottles of wine. The other two are Chardonnay from the central coast of California and a red blend of Petite Shiraz and Merlot Zinfandel. Birth City: Sharon. The Sisters brought their wines together under the same label with two lionesses and a peacock. Barbecue, grilled fish, meats, and veggies, burgers, French fries, fish tacos, fruits, cheeses, grilled cheese, and coastal cuisines like Mediterranean dishes and Spanish tapas. Andra McBride was a 16 year old living in foster care in New Zealand when she got a phone call from her biological dad in Alabama. We each had a similar background in wining making regions. Of the nearly 4,000 wineries in California, only 10% have a woman as thelead winemaker, according to research by professors LucIa and John Gilbert of Santa Clara University and their research website womenwinemakers.com. Hannah is hiding a life-changing secret, and Beth is weathering her own personal crisis. Though they were raised in the far-flung, enormously iconic wine regions of Monterey, California and Marlborough, New Zealand, both sisters were destined to share a love of the grape. Crushed raspberry and black cherry aromas are dusted with loam and layered with beautiful florals, sandalwood and spice. IE 11 is not supported. The largest Black-owned wine company in the United States, McBride Sisters can now be found everywhere from Trader Joe's to Target, but the journey to building the thriving family business is even more impressive given that Robin and Andra didn't even know about one another for the first half of their lives. These wines, priced between about $12 and $17 a bottle, became available at Kroger-owned stores this fall. . "We have this vision, and we have this goal, and everybody is passionate about it and wants to get behind it and see it be successful," Andra said. McBride Sisters: The most important thing to us is to stay connected to wine lovers, to see how and where they are enjoying wine, what that experience is like, what if anything is missing and make it better for them. wine for the new world. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) McBride Sisters Wine Company, San Luis Obispo, CA. The duo also partnered with Simon & Schuster for the Black Girl Magic Wine and Book Club, where two Black Girl Magic wines are paired with a book from a Black woman author. Our Newest Wines from the Most Southern Winegrowing Region in the World - Aotearoa New Zealand! Black Girl Magic, the-phrase-turned movement started by Cashawn Thompson in 2013, celebrates community and the consumers that have supported McBride Sisters Collection since the beginning. "Meet the Sisters Behind One of the Wine Industry's Most Exciting Companies", "How This Sister Duo Became Trailblazers Within The Wine Industry", "Black Creators: The McBride Sisters Embark On A New Chapter", "20 Black-Owned Businesses That Will Have Something for Everyone on Your Holiday Shopping List", "Black-owned wineries are making their mark in Northern California", "Black Winemakers: A true rarity in the wine world", "Long-lost sisters run female-dominated wine company - CBS News", "Meet the Long-Lost Sisters Making Wine for Women", "Five wines from Black-owned wineries, in one flight", "This sauvignon blanc tastes like a splurge, but doesn't cost like one", "Fill Your Glass With Brands That Give Back: When you give a bottle of these spirits and wine, you give twice", "Black winemakers are climbing up the vine", McBride Sisters Wine Company (official website), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McBride_Sisters&oldid=1113985187, Black-owned companies of the United States, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 4 October 2022, at 06:11. Q: Which wines will you be launching in Detroit? We need to dispel any otherism around Black Americans or women in the wine industry, as too often it is assumed that they do not take wine seriously enough or do not have the same capabilities as others to have a notable palate in the industry, Andra says, explaining that while the wine industry has made strides in recent years, it still has a long way to go to be more reflective of the world. Robin said the industry is "very complicated" due to heavy reliance on gatekeepers wholesalers, distributors, retailers and more before it's greenlit into production. Andra said the aforementioned phone call was the first time she'd spoken to her dad in six years. He died seven months later, before he was able to find Robin (he'd loss touch with her after divorcing her mother). Thats why we have join the fearless pride printed on the cans. In an industry dominated by men, they are young minority women. Sign up today and save 15% on your first purchase! [11] Another is a red blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Half-sisters Robin and Andra launched their California wine company, the McBride . "I remember being just so excited. What they unknowingly had in common was that they both grew up in wine country: Robin, in Monterey, California, and Andra inMarlborough, New Zealand. That we have our very own! Their winemaking story is unique in many ways. So 16 years later, their banner now distributes wines to major grocery chains throughout the country. Founded by sisters, Robin and Andra McBride, The McBride Sisters Wine. We try to be in tune with nature doing things like planting cover crops that attract beneficial insects and watching the amount of water we use, she said. The wine industrycan seem so complex for people who dont already have an in.How does one go about getting educated? We describe our signature style as old world style with new world finesse. November 26, 2015 / 7:24 AM Plus, get the exclusive Robb Report tote bag FREE. The sisters said with the doors they've opened, they're committed to doing their part in leaving them open and helping others through. Join The Zoe Reports exclusive email list for the latest trends, shopping guides, celebrity style, and more. Andra and Robin grew up on separate continents, each one believing they were an only child. Anne Schamberg is a freelance writer who lives in Waukesha. Speak about why you created the Black Girl Magic collection. In a 2019 interview, Ashley revealed how tortured her relationship with her father is, in part because of her desire to become a . Working in the industry with our first wine import business surrounded by wine, winemakers, and wine professionals certainly helped too, so weve learned a lot along the way and have also taken classes to further deepen our knowledge. Since 2005, The McBride Sisters mission has been clear - to transform the industry, lead by example, and cultivate community, one delicious glass of wine at a time. When did you meet? Robin and Andra McBride, founders of McBride Sisters Wines, are the first African-American sister duo to found and establish a wine company. Since 2005, The McBride Sisters' mission has been clear - to transform the industry, lead by example, and cultivate community, one delicious glass of wine at a time. In 1999, in a made-for-the-big-screen scene at La Guardia airport, Robin and Andra McBride met for the first time, each having only just learned that she had a sister in the world at all, let alone on an entirely different continent in a different hemisphere. The sisters shared a biological father, Kelly McBride, whom they had had little contact with while growing up. But the proof is in the bottle, we've been owners, makers, and innovators for fourteen years! "And now we do.". We are everywhere our consumers are, it's important for us to never be detached from that experience. [6] According to the Boston Globe, McBride Sisters is also "one of the few Black-owned wine labels that encourages consumers to be socially conscious. And then we met, we looked like each other, we had all these uncanny similarities, we were instant best friends, I couldn't have dreamed that the experience of finding a sister could get any better. The MS stands for "McBride Sisters" with an S curled like the locks of our hair, with the two lionesses surrounding it representing our strong, supportive mothers, while the peacock depicts our. Includes access to the digital magazine. Based on the show's recommendation, the family pulled the records of every Robin McBride listed at the Department of Motor Vehicles and started writing dozens of letters. Now theres more women and women of color (in the business), we want to keep pushing that agenda and make that wine available. Name: Martina McBride. "The phone rang, and I picked it up, and the person on the other end of the phone, said, 'Hey, Andra, it's your dad.' [8] In 2019, the McBride Sisters also launched an eco-friendly line of canned wine,SHE CAN. Best Known For: Country singer Martina . After connecting for the first time in 1999, we realized we had this shared passion for wine and it became such a central part of our bond, and we knew the universe had put us together for a reason to make a future together out of our separate pasts. James stated, "I asked if I was black or white. The McBride Sisters Collection, launched in May 2017, is composed of four wines, including a Chardonnay and a red blend from Central Coast, California and a Sauvignon Blanc and a sparkling brut ros, both from Marlborough, New Zealand. At the age of six, she was raised by her uncle and a foster family after her mother died of breast cancer. Therefore, its much more than a single serving. Birth Year: 1966. Birth date: July 29, 1966. Fluker: What do you envision for McBride Sisters wine for the next 3-5 years? It was life changing. This one is fresh, lifted and beautifully aromatic, with lemon blossom, juicy green apple and hints of crushed rock on the nose. We both like aromatic whites and medium-bodied reds.. Quality and quantity! This bottle is our celebration of that essence. And it was after college that their dreams of going into the wine business began to take shape. [1][2] The company was founded in 2005 by African American winemakers Robin and Andra McBride, who first met as adults and bonded over a shared passion for winemaking. [3][1] The brand uses grapes from both California and New Zealand,[4] and is focused on providing quality bottled and canned wines that are affordable and "celebrate inclusivity". After all, lionesses are the true leaders of a pride. The crest reflects our Sisterly bond and is designed with our shared father, represented as a proud peacock (he was known to be quite cocky) over the initials MS for McBride Sisters. To expand their reach with their consumers, the sisters launched a private Facebook group called McBride Certified: Wine 101 with Robin and Andra, a class and community that features an eight-module course explaining the basics of wine and serves as a hub for the McBrides most devoted fans. As the work began, so did their reality as two fierce, female and forward-thinking leaders in an industry historically defined by tradition and gender. The Free Press caught up with the McBrides by phone ahead of their 7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday appearance at House of Pure Vin, 1433 Woodward Ave., Detroit. To us, black girl magic is that drive, it's the creativity, resilience, and innovation that shines brightly. In staying open, you never know whator who you may discover. [6] In the 12 months leading up to October 2020, the McBride Sisters had sold 35,000 cases of wine at retail outlets, according to Nielsen, making it the largest Black-owned wine company by volume. We were confident that we were destined to do something together in wine, and within a few short years, we created our first wine company as importers which led us to bottle our first wines in 2010. [9] They are members of the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV), which was founded in 2002. They had a dream between them, of making wine. What inspired each of youto go into wine? And so obviously for us coming in as opposite really of everything that, to that point had been successful in the wine world, which was an older white man we definitely were looked at as not just not belonging, but really incapable of being successful.". The McBride Sisters Collection, launched in May 2017, is composed of four wines, including a Chardonnay and a red blend from Central Coast, California and a Sauvignon Blanc and a sparkling brut . [5] As of 2020, Wine Spectator noted that it was the largest Black-owned wine company in the US by volume. And the Black Girl Magic collection, Robin and Andreas personal ode to their culture and story, is inspired by the magic and resilience of Black women, to be enjoyed by all. [6] Starting in 2017, all their wines from New Zealand and California were brought together under the McBride Sisters Collection, and sold in grocery stores across the United States. He told her he was dying of cancer and wanted to do one last. Robin and Andra are a testament to what it means to stay ready, stay resilient, and remain open to new experiences, big and small.