Wine Colors Road Trip to Sugarleaf Vineyards



Sugarleaf Vineyard Owners Jerry & Lauren Bias

Join Wine Colors for a road trip to the African American owned Sugarleaf Vineyards, conveniently located twelve miles south of Charlottesville in the town of North Garden, Virginia.

Sugarleaf Vineyards owned by Jerry Bias and wife Lauren, is an award-winning boutique vineyard in the heart of the Monticello region, committed to producing fine wine.

Sugarleaf’s 4th Anniversary Soiree

Saturday, August 20, 2011
11am – 6pm

Help Sugarleaf celebrate the 4th anniversary of the release of an inaugural award-winning vintage and the opening of the tasting room! Enjoy wine, cheese, and walk thru the vineyard. $20 per person inclusive of gourmet boxed lunch.

For more information visit sugarleafvineyards.com

Tips for Selecting Quality Wine

Choosing a quality wine can be a daunting and confusing task.

The vast selection of choices among wine varieties, brands, labels, and prices can make a trip to a wine store or restaurant seem almost intimidating.

So what can be done to overcome the problem of too many choices.

Well, the answer in a few words is: discover your own preferences for wine taste.

The key is to taste many different types of wines, compare, and then taste more wine!

Tips in selecting a wine that is right for you

1. Decide if you want white wine or red wine.
2. Decide how much sweetness in taste you prefer. (Dry is the term used to
   describe the absence of sweetness in a wine.)
3. Purchase wine from sellers who properly care for wine.
4. Buy wine that tastes good to you. The only judge of good taste in wine is you.
5. Have fun exploring wine's wide variety and diversity.

Best Black Owned Vintners Recognized

The Root is currently featuring a photo slide show of several Black-owned businesses in the wine industry.  

Included in the profile are 10 African American wine makers whose wines are highly recommended for your rack or cellar.

Click HERE for the slide show.

Maryland to Allow Direct Wine Shipment

Wine enthusiasts in Maryland have a reason to tip their glasses.

On July 1, 2011, the Free State will join 37 states and the District of Columbia in allowing shipment of wine directly to their homes.   

Wineries with an approved state permit may ship up to 18 cases per year of their own wine to a single Maryland delivery address.  

This creates an opportunity for winemakers across the country to reach new customers, and for customers to purchase wines not always available in their local market.

Click HERE for a detailed article in the Washington Examiner.

The laws governing direct-to-consumer shipments are different in every state.  Wineries and customers can review direct interstate wine shipping regulations at the Wine Institute's website.

Great Video on African American Diversity in the Wine Industry

Featured in the video is a discussion of the Association of African American Vintners, a non-profit organization, founded in 2002, to provide a supportive network to African American vintners and wine industry professionals worldwide and to bring fine wine, education and the Wine Country Lifestyle to consumers.

Although African Americans currently represent 5 percent of vineyard owners, the AAAV is actively working to increase diversity among vintners and develop greater public appreciation for wine culture.

Indiana Wine Maker Targets Uninitiated Market

Dave Smith, owner of the first black owned winery in Columbus, Indiana, does not wait around for customers to reach him.

Smith literary takes his product to the people.

Whether at local farmer’s markets or in-home tastings, the personable wine maker can be found introducing new customers to semi-sweet, semi-dry wines produced at Smith’s Winery.

In a recent feature in the Indianapolis Gazette, Smith shared his marketing strategy.  

"I wanted to be able to talk with people," Smith said about his decision to forgo a tasting room and take his wines directly to consumers.  "In this type of setting, they're more relaxed. You get a nice camaraderie."

 

Read the full article HERE.

Esterlina Vineyards & Winery - Over 30 years in Winemaking

This month Wine Colors spotlights African-American owned Esterlina Vineyards and Winery, located in Philo, California.

According to their website, the Sterling Family (owners of Esterlina Vineyards) has been making wine for several generations.

As California vintners with over 30 years of experience, they have carefully selected each of their vineyards to ensure the quality of the wines they produce.

In 2008, NPR's News and Notes with Farai Chideya interviewed Stephen Sterling, co-owner of Esterlina Vineyards, about his "quest to increase the number of Black wine connoisseurs."

Although this is a 2008 interview, Wine Colors shares Sterling's passion in getting more people to learn about wine.

Listen to the featured NPR interview, "Promoting Black Vintners One Glass at a Time."