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Health & Fitness

Celebrating African-American Wine Makers

This Monday (January 20) is the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Some of us will get the day off. We might spend the day at a parade, catching up on chores or just relaxing. Whatever you might be doing, consider the advances that have been made by African-Americans in the wine industry.

When we think about wine, we tend to associate it with a nationality like the French, Italian, Australian or Chilean. For American wine, we start with a state, say California, and then we want to know its regions; Napa Valley, Paso Robles, Lodi.

Now the trend is to know the winemaker. This may have started with Andy Erickson formerly of Screaming Eagle - I am not sure – in any event wine lovers love to drop names. And due to King’s activism and legacy, we have a whole new set of winemaker names to drop.

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African-American winemakers, although small in numbers, have made huge strides. Wineries now number in the dozens with awards and accolades too numerous to mention.

It’s no surprise to note that breaking into the wine business is tough. It takes a lot perseverance, sweat-equity and, oh yes, money. But none of this has deterred the many African-American vintners that are working themselves up the wine business chain.

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One of my favorite African-American wineries is Vision Cellars. Mac McDonald, winemaker/owner, started his wine adventure after retiring from his “real” job. The son of a Texas moonshine maker, Mac, who has visited the Bay Area many times talking about and tasting others on his wines, makes one of the best Pinot Noirs to come out of California. He doesn’t make huge batches, under 300 cases. So if you find a bottle of Vision Cellars Marin County ($50), grab it.

Theodora Lee is the founder of Theopolis Vineyards located in Yorkville, California. She’s an amazing lady; not only can she grow and make an amazing Petite Sirah she’s also an attorney. Her 2014 Petite Sirah ($36) will soon be available. Make sure to put your name on the list. Visit www.theopolisvineyards.com to join the wine club.

Other African-American wineries include: Sharp Cellars making Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Zinfandel. Bet you were thinking Pinot Meunier but Vance Sharp, winemaker, got you with that Zinfandel. There's also Running Tigers Wine Sonoma County that makes an awesome Syrah and Stover Oaks Vineyard & Winery Port, which makes an array of wines from Orange Muscat to Sauvignon Blanc to Port.

Finally there’s Esterlina Vineyards working with Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Chardonnay. The winery is located in Healdsburg in Sonoma County it is the only vineyard in the Cole Ranch Appellation, which is America’s smallest American Viticultural Area (AVA).

We raise a glass in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and all others who sacrificed for our Civil Rights. Thanks to them we enjoy a world of opportunities.

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