The Beauty of Wine Culture Within the Black Community
Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the 2nd annual Blac Oak Winter Wine Festival, and it was an incredible experience! The Blac Oak Wine Club organized the event, which offered a convenient introduction to black-owned wine brands from national and international regions. Blac Oak is a platform that aims to bridge the gap between the average wine consumer and sommeliers and winemakers who understand the cultural significance of color in vineyards. The festival was designed to showcase and support black-owned wine brands that have consistently broken barriers in a space traditionally dominated by those lacking melanin.
The festival was held at a secret location in Philadelphia, and as soon as I arrived, I was immediately struck by the elegant attire of the guests. It felt like a modern-day speakeasy, complete with wine, whiskey, roulette, and poker tables. The venue was an open industrial art space, and it was breathtaking! The ambiance was fantastic, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement. Among the entertainment for the night was live music that had everyone on their feet, and an artist painted a beautiful piece throughout the night. The festival was indeed one of a kind, and I was glad to be a part of it.
I also got to sample some fantastic food and drink options at the festival. I ran into Nutz About Popcorn, and their snacks were simply delicious. They had so many tasty and unique flavors that perfectly accompanied the wine. I also had the pleasure of meeting comedian Skeet Carter and trying his new wine brand, Rica Vino Wine, which was exquisite. I also checked out the gentlemen from the Strange Fruit Collection, and their wine was simply outstanding. I highly recommend both brands to anyone who loves good wine.
All in all, it was an unforgettable experience celebrating black excellence, culture, and of course, wine. I left the festival feeling inspired and proud to be a part of such a fantastic community. Cheers to the organizers and all who made the festival a success!