McBride Sisters: When Destiny Meets Wine
Credit: TODAY Show and Michelle Magdalena
Talk about a story that sounds too good to be true – two sisters, separated by oceans, grew up in different wine regions without knowing each other existed, only to reunite and build the largest Black-owned wine company in America. But that's exactly what happened with Robin and Andréa McBride.
Robin spent her childhood in Monterey, California, surrounded by the foggy vineyards of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Meanwhile, her younger half-sister Andréa was growing up on the other side of the world in New Zealand's celebrated wine country. Neither knew about the other until their father's dying wish set in motion a search that would change their lives forever.
In 1999, when Robin was 25 and Andréa was 16, they finally met at LaGuardia Airport in New York. As they shared their life stories, they discovered something remarkable – despite growing up worlds apart, they both shared a deep passion for wine. It wasn't just coincidence; it was as if their parallel lives in two of the world's most dynamic wine regions had been preparing them for something bigger.
That "something bigger" turned into the McBride Sisters Wine Company, launched in 2005. But here's where the story gets even more interesting – in an industry where less than 1% of wineries are Black-owned and women are still fighting for seats at the table, these sisters didn't just succeed; they revolutionized the game.
Their approach? Break down the stuffy, exclusive nature of wine culture while creating exceptional wines that honor both their California and New Zealand roots. Their collections, including the popular Black Girl Magic and SHE CAN lines, aren't just about great wine – they're about making the industry more inclusive and accessible to everyone.
The sisters have become powerful advocates for change in the wine world. Through their SHE CAN Professional Development Fund, they're providing scholarships and opportunities for women in the industry. They've stripped away the pretentious wine jargon that often intimidates newcomers, replacing it with approachable language that welcomes everyone to the table.
Today, the McBride Sisters' success story is about more than just wine – it's about family, destiny, and breaking barriers. Two little girls who grew up in wine regions on opposite sides of the world found each other and are now transforming an entire industry. Now that's what we call sister power.
