From Napa to South Africa: Black Winemakers' Global Impact

A Global Movement: Black Winemakers Transforming Wine Worldwide

The story of Black winemakers isn't confined to one country or region—it's a global movement spanning continents, cultures, and wine traditions. From South Africa's Western Cape to California's Napa Valley, from Germany's steep Mosel slopes to the sun-drenched hills of Provence, Black winemakers are crafting exceptional wines while breaking down barriers and redefining what's possible in the wine industry.

This is a story of diaspora and homecoming, of refugees becoming master sommeliers, of international artists bringing wine to new audiences, and of pioneers establishing themselves in some of the world's most traditional wine regions. Let's explore how Black winemakers are making their mark across the globe.

South Africa: Reclaiming Heritage and Building New Legacies

South Africa's wine industry has a complex and painful history intertwined with colonialism and apartheid. For centuries, Black South Africans provided the labor that built the Cape wine industry but were systematically excluded from ownership, winemaking positions, and the benefits of their work. Today, a new generation is reclaiming their place in South African wine.

Ntsiki Biyela: South Africa's Groundbreaking First

In 2004, Ntsiki Biyela made history as South Africa's first Black woman winemaker. Growing up in rural KwaZulu-Natal with no exposure to wine, she received a scholarship from South African Airlines to study viticulture and enology at Stellenbosch University. What began as an unexpected opportunity became a calling that would change South African wine forever.

After 13 years as winemaker at Stellekaya, Biyela launched Aslina Wines in 2016, named after her grandmother. Her wines have garnered international acclaim and represent the pinnacle of South African winemaking excellence.

The 2024 Aslina Chardonnay from Stellenbosch showcases her technical mastery—a complex, fruity wine that's creamy and full, with partial wooding giving it beautiful tropical fruit and lime character balanced by good acidity.

Her 2023 Aslina Sauvignon Blanc demonstrates her range with bright tropical fruit, lime and grapefruit citrus, layers of minerality and lemon zest, with extended lees aging creating a unique, lingering, silky finish.

The 2022 Aslina Cabernet Sauvignon spent 16 months in barrels, resulting in a full-bodied wine with hints of minty characters, cigar box, and lots of dark fruits with bold, chewy tannins.

Beyond her wines, Biyela actively mentors young Black South Africans interested in viticulture and winemaking, ensuring her legacy extends far beyond her own bottles.

Tinashe Nyamudoka: From Zimbabwean Refugee to World-Renowned Sommelier

The story of Tinashe Nyamudoka is one of the most remarkable in modern wine. Born in Zimbabwe, Nyamudoka fled to South Africa as a refugee. Through determination and talent, he became one of South Africa's most decorated sommeliers and founded Kumusha Wines—"kumusha" means "home" in the Zimbabwean Shona language, translating to "your home," "your roots," or "your origin."

Nyamudoka's philosophy is that the best wines are representative of their region. Through a collaborative process with respect to the vine, the winemaker, and the consumer, he's building a brand of wines that represent and honor roots. Using minimal intervention and natural fermentation, his aim is to let the wine speak of its origin and provide a model for Black wine entrepreneurs to follow.

The 2022 Kumusha 'Flame Lily' White Blend from Slanghoek exemplifies his style—a vibrant blend of Roussanne, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, and Semillon with apple, white peach, lemon zest, and winter melon flavors. Wine Enthusiast praised its "ripe yellow melon, baked apple, lemon custard and pear-tart aromas" with "ample acidity" keeping the concentration in check.

His 2023 Kumusha Cinsault Rosé from the Western Cape offers delicate aromatics of red berries and white florals, bright and expressively juicy with a smooth, slightly savory mid-palate and long, round finish.

The 2022 Kumusha Cabernet-Cinsault Red Blend from Swartland showcases uniquely South African character with ripe cherries and plums, hints of pomegranate and strawberry—perfect for slow-cooked red meat dishes.

The 2024 Kumusha Pinotage celebrates South Africa's signature grape with depth, balance, and aromas of dark cherries and mulberries, exploding with flavors of berry, plum, coffee, and baking spice.

As an executive board member of the Black Cellar Club (BLACC), a non-profit organization supporting Black winemakers and sommeliers across the globe, Nyamudoka's influence extends far beyond his own wines.

The HER Collection: All-Women, All-Black Collective

The HER Collection from Adama Wines represents a unique model: an all-women-run company from Wellington, South Africa, led by winemaker and General Manager Praisy Dlamini, described as "one of the brightest stars in the wine industry."

"The name was chosen to represent our sisters, mothers, daughters, and grandmothers—the women in our lives who strive to make the world a better place and retire with a well-earned bottle of HER wine, with family and friends at the end of the day," says Dlamini. "HER is a brand that relates to the everyday struggle of powerful and graceful women from all strides of life. You either know one or you are one."

The 2024 HER Collection Chenin Blanc from Wellington offers green-tinged, pale gold hues with delicate lime blossom, pear drop, subtle spice, and white peach aromas leading to a soft but dry palate with rich apricot, pear, and hints of fresh lemon and almond.

The 2023 HER Collection Sauvignon Blanc is a fruity, zesty crowd-pleaser bursting with juicy grenadilla and grapefruit flavors, hints of green apple and freshly cut grass, with a crisp and zesty finish.

The 2024 HER Collection Rosé offers flavors of watermelon, raspberries, and strawberries—juicy, fruity, stony, and lip-smacking, hand-picked and blended by Dlamini herself.

The 2023 HER Shiraz from Stellenbosch is hand-harvested and destemmed before fermentation, resulting in a medium-bodied, structured wine with aromas of sweet spice, new leather, juicy ripe plum, and dark berry flavors with a hint of savory, toasty oak.

The team saw a gap in the market for an all-female, all-Black business that could combine their skillsets to offer a unique proposition—a wine brand women could be proud of. "We don't just have a female winemaker, every member of the team is female, a unique proposition," they explain.

France: Bringing Diversity to Traditional Wine Regions

Deborah Cox: From Music Icon to Provence Winemaker

Deborah Cox is an award-winning recording artist, Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee, and international talent spanning music, Broadway, television, film, and fashion. With a nearly three-decades-long career, her influence has paved the way for talented women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ2S+ artists across countless industries.

During the global pandemic, Cox and Lascelles Stephens founded Kazaisu Wines (Ka-Zy-Sue), reflecting on the irreplaceable time spent with family over a glass of wine. "We realized our utter dependence on the human connection and how crucial it is to nurture and bond," Cox explains.

Bottled at Château Margillière in Provence—a vineyard at the forefront of sustainable farming practices and certified organic by Ecocert—Kazaisu wines represent Cox's commitment to quality, sustainability, and community.

The 2023 Kazaisu Rosé from Coteaux Varois is a classic Provence blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Pale and bright pink with a powerful, fragrant nose of dominant floral notes, rose, litchi, sublimated by a lemony touch. The mouth is full and intense with aromas of white peach and citrus—versatile for dishes and meals all year long.

The 2023 Kazaisu Blanc (90% Vermentino, 10% Ugni Blanc) offers a powerful bouquet of white flower blossom aromas with whiffs of citrus zest and ripe stone fruit. Fresh and mouthwatering on the palate, yet delicate, with luscious fruit and crisp acidity, finishing with a hint of salinity.

Cox hopes these wines will sit on tables at family gatherings, dinners with friends, reunions, and celebrations of everyday life—bringing people together through the universal language of wine.

Germany: Breaking Barriers in the Mosel Valley

Sammie Steinmetz: The Only Black Woman in Mosel Wine

Sammie Steinmetz, a Southern American military expat, holds the distinction of being the only Black woman working in wine in the entirety of Mosel, Germany vineyards. Together with her husband Stefan, they run Weingut Günther Steinmetz, a third-generation winery in Brauneberg, continuing the tradition Stefan's family started over a hundred years ago.

Sammie is studying viticulture while helping to manage the winery. They practice what they call "natural viticulture"—using no fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides, controlling yields, and carefully harvesting and sorting by hand. They've focused on acquiring plots of old, own-rooted Riesling parcels when possible.

The 2023 Steinmetz Mosel Wintricher Geierslay Trocken Riesling from Mosel-Saar-Ruwer showcases their expertise. With stone fruit aromatic ripeness, then cool and fresh in the mouth with excellent harmonized length, this is a "dangerously energetic dry Mosel Riesling" with concentration and brilliance "almost off the scale." Stuart Piggott awarded it 93 points, praising its "peachy fruit," "fascinating nuances of grapefruit and wildflowers," and "wonderful spring-like freshness."

The 2020 Steinmetz Brut Cuvée Pinot Sekt is a noble, elegant sparkling wine produced using the traditional method. Light white gold with sunset reflections, very refreshing with fine yeast aromas (bread crust), citrus fruits, red apple, and persistent mineral notes. A super fresh, lively sparkling wine with fine, pleasant perlage and a salty, fruity finish.

The Brauneberger Juffer site is the trademark of their winery, and they also own plots in famous sites like Kestener Paulinshofberg, Piesporter Goldtröpfchen, Wintricher Geierslay and Oligsberg, Mülheimer Sonnenlay, Veldenzer, Grafschafter Sonnenberg, and Dhroner Hofberg. The extremely steep slopes in these areas mean they can only be worked by hand—a testament to their dedication to quality and tradition.

United States: Building Legacies from Coast to Coast

California: Napa Valley and Beyond

As we explored in our previous article on Black Women Winemakers Leading the Charge, California is home to pioneering Black winemakers like the Brown family in Napa Valley, Phil Long's Longevity Wines in Livermore Valley, Danny Glover's L'Objet Wines in Sonoma, and Theodora R. Lee's Theopolis Vineyards in Mendocino County.

These winemakers have overcome extraordinary barriers to entry in regions where land costs millions per acre and industry networks have historically been closed to people of color. Their success represents not just individual achievement but the opening of pathways for future generations.

Mid-Atlantic: A New Center of Diversity

Maryland and Virginia are emerging as unexpected centers of diversity in American wine, with multiple Black women winemakers establishing the first African American-owned wineries in their regions. From Ifeoma Cleopatra Onyia's Clyopatra Winery (the first African immigrant-owned winery in the United States) to Philosophy Winery (the first African American women-owned winery in Maryland), these pioneers are proving that world-class wine can come from anywhere—and be made by anyone.

The Global Impact: Why This Matters

Challenging Wine's Eurocentric Narrative

For too long, wine has been presented as an exclusively European tradition, with other regions and peoples positioned as imitators rather than innovators. The global presence of Black winemakers challenges this narrative, demonstrating that:

Wine belongs to everyone. From South Africa's indigenous knowledge to the African diaspora's contributions to American viticulture, Black people have always been part of wine's story—even when that history was erased or ignored.

Excellence transcends borders. Ntsiki Biyela's Stellenbosch Chardonnay, Tinashe Nyamudoka's Swartland blends, Sammie Steinmetz's Mosel Rieslings, and Deborah Cox's Provence rosés prove that exceptional winemaking isn't limited by geography or the winemaker's background.

Diversity drives innovation. These winemakers bring different perspectives, techniques, and cultural influences that enrich the entire wine world. Tinashe's minimal intervention philosophy, the HER Collection's all-women model, Sammie's natural viticulture in Germany—each represents a fresh approach to winemaking.

Creating Global Networks and Support Systems

Organizations like the Black Cellar Club (BLACC), where Tinashe Nyamudoka serves on the executive board, are creating international networks that support Black winemakers and sommeliers across the globe. These connections enable knowledge sharing, mentorship, and mutual support that transcends national boundaries.

When Ntsiki Biyela mentors young Black South Africans, when the HER Collection team extends their network across diverse communities, when Deborah Cox uses her platform to advocate for marginalized communities—they're building a global movement that's bigger than any individual winery or region.

Economic Empowerment Across Continents

Supporting Black-owned wineries creates economic opportunities not just for individual winemakers but for their communities. In South Africa, where economic inequality remains stark decades after apartheid's end, successful Black winemakers like Biyela and Nyamudoka represent hope and possibility. In Germany, Sammie Steinmetz's presence challenges assumptions about who belongs in traditional wine regions. In France, Deborah Cox brings new audiences to Provence wine.

Each success story creates pathways for others, demonstrating that barriers can be overcome and inspiring the next generation to pursue their own wine dreams.

Tasting the World: A Global Wine Journey

One of the most exciting aspects of supporting Black winemakers is the opportunity to taste wines from diverse regions and styles, all crafted by talented producers who bring unique perspectives to their work.

South African Terroir

Explore the diversity of South African wine through Ntsiki Biyela's elegant Stellenbosch wines, Tinashe Nyamudoka's minimal intervention approach in Swartland and Slanghoek, and the HER Collection's accessible, high-quality offerings from Wellington. From Chenin Blanc to Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc to Shiraz, South African wines offer incredible value and distinctive character.

European Elegance

Experience Provence through Deborah Cox's certified organic Kazaisu wines, or discover the precision and minerality of Germany's Mosel Valley through Sammie Steinmetz's Rieslings and traditional method sparkling wines. These wines represent centuries of European winemaking tradition interpreted through fresh perspectives.

American Innovation

From Napa Valley's prestigious Zinfandels to Maryland's emerging wine scene, American Black winemakers are crafting wines that honor tradition while embracing innovation. Whether it's sustainable farming, minimal intervention, or creative blending, these wines showcase American terroir through diverse lenses.

How to Support Black Winemakers Globally

1. Seek Out International Diversity: Don't limit yourself to one region. Explore wines from Black winemakers across continents. Our Black Wine Producers Subscription Box features wines from around the world.

2. Learn the Stories: Each winemaker's journey is unique and compelling. Share Ntsiki Biyela's story of becoming South Africa's first Black woman winemaker, Tinashe Nyamudoka's journey from refugee to renowned sommelier, Sammie Steinmetz's pioneering presence in the Mosel, or Deborah Cox's transition from music to wine.

3. Support Global Organizations: Organizations like the Black Cellar Club (BLACC) work internationally to support Black winemakers and sommeliers. Your support helps build global networks and opportunities.

4. Challenge Assumptions: When people assume wine is a European tradition or that certain regions "belong" to certain groups, share the stories of Black winemakers thriving in Germany, France, South Africa, and beyond.

5. Demand Representation: Ask wine shops, restaurants, and importers to carry wines from Black winemakers around the world. Consumer demand drives change in the global wine market.

The Future is Global and Diverse

The wine world is becoming more inclusive, more diverse, and more interesting thanks to Black winemakers working across continents. From Stellenbosch to the Mosel, from Provence to Napa, from Wellington to Maryland, these winemakers are proving that excellence knows no boundaries.

Their wines tell stories of perseverance, innovation, and triumph. Each bottle represents not just grapes and terroir, but the determination to succeed in an industry that hasn't always welcomed them. They are creating pathways, building legacies, and transforming the global wine industry one exceptional bottle at a time.

As we celebrate Black History Month, let's raise a glass to these remarkable winemakers—the global pioneers who are leading the charge and showing us that wine's future is as diverse as the world itself.

Start Your Global Wine Journey

Ready to explore wines from Black winemakers around the world? Browse our curated international selection featuring Ntsiki Biyela from South Africa, Tinashe Nyamudoka's Kumusha wines, the HER Collection, Deborah Cox's Kazaisu from Provence, Sammie Steinmetz's German Rieslings, and many more.

Join our Black Wine Producers Monthly Subscription to discover exceptional wines from around the globe delivered to your door.

Every bottle you purchase supports these incredible winemakers and helps create a more diverse, inclusive global wine industry for future generations.

Continue exploring: Black Women Winemakers Leading the Charge, The Hidden History: Black Pioneers in American Winemaking, Black-Owned Wineries, and Diverse Voices in Wine.