Andréa and Robin McBride aren’t your average passion-inspired entrepreneurs. With no knowledge of each other for nearly half of their lives and raised on opposite ends of the globe—a distance of 7,000 miles to be exact—these sisters independently fostered a unique appreciation for the craft of wine making.
Andréa, who was raised in Marlborough, New Zealand, and Robin, who was raised in Monterey, Calif., have over 10 years of experience in the wine industry and have been involved in every facet including grape growing, wine making, importation, distribution, sales and marketing. Their McBride Sisters wines are super-premium, yet an affordable luxury that “new world region lovers” readily embrace. Their story, which is proof of the true bond that can form with conversation and a bottle of wine has inspired entrepreneurs the world over. It also reminds us of the often denied prospect that nothing is impossible. Touché.
Blackenterprise.com caught up with these wine power brokers to discuss how their imagination and creativity paved the way for leadership and enormous success in the wine industry.
BlackEnterprise.com: You spent much of your childhood apart. How did you discover one another?
McBride Sisters: We’re nine years apart and we didn’t grow up knowing each other. We have the same father and different mothers, who raised us. Before our dad passed he asked his family to find and connect us both. That happened in 1999.
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Explain how imagination has played such a critical role in your success.
Our imagination is what we rely on to accomplish what others think is impossible. We both come from humble beginnings and so the idea of starting and eventually owing a wine company of course seemed farfetched. But having both grown up exposed to exceptional new world wine regions, with a healthy appreciation for the wine produced there, it was a natural progression. We began with an ideal wine in mind and kept moving forward. We decided early on never to give up. We firmly believe that nothing is impossible. And, our process lends itself to this idea entirely: We create to celebrate the journey because everything is possible.
Having an unwavering belief in what’s possible is critical for every entrepreneur. The fact that you are both involved in every aspect of wine making from growing grapes to distribution is proof of this. How did you make this progression?
We had no resources to start, so we had to be creative. We started by importing from a few boutique wines from New Zealand. Then we started growing grapes, harvesting and eventually making wine. Finally we started making our own wine. However, as a Négociant we’re both broker and owner, so we’re very involved in every facet.
How do you typically balance your myriad of responsibilities?
We have help. There’s a community of people involved in
the process. But, a snapshot of a typical week looks like this: Early this week we were out at the Paso Robles vineyards. We tasted our 2014 vintage, which will launch in about 4-5 months. Then we attended a sustainability conference. Today, we are out in the market selling our wines to our fine dining accounts. We stay busy. Like most others wine companies, we have to plan for the holidays, promotions and PR, too.Read more about their family business on the next page …
You’ve been making wine for nearly 10 years with two wine brands under the McBride Sisters banner, what are the differences in the brands?
Generally speaking, everything we do is rooted in sustainability, so anything under the McBride Sisters banner will reflect that. Our wines are easy to drink and approachable. We stay away from heavy-handed oak fermentation. We focus on spending quality time in the vineyards because everything is terroir-driven. Our wines express the regions where they are from, including the soil and microclimates.
The first wine brand under our banner is eco.love Wines from New Zealand, which include the varietal Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Noir. New Zealand is a very unique and equally amazing place. The wines really express the region. The second is Truvée Wines (Truvée means “to findâ€) from the Central Coast of California, which include a Chardonnay and a Red Blend. The Central Coast of California is magical and gorgeous. Its wines also express the land and viticulture.
You both seem pretty keen on sustainability and the way forward, with family and the environment taking center stage. How are you doing your part to ensure sustainability?
We believe that you have to take care of people and the planet. Frankly, it boils down to three main ingredients: healthy vineyards, healthy community and higher quality grapes, which of course yield higher quality wines. But, it’s not just about doing the right thing; it integrates the environmental, social and economic structure, and just as importantly, contributes to better quality. We are also doing our part to minimize climate change by incorporating water management, soil health, and further integration of sustainable practices are all components of learning how to farm using new ideologies and processes in a changing environment.
As the first African American sisters to own a wine company–an extraordinary accomplishment–what’s been your experience? Any challenges or unexpected successes?
There have been plenty of challenges for sure. Initially, there was a lack of acceptance, especially with us working on all aspects. You could say that it was hard for some people to swallow. However, a great deal has changed over the past several years. And, through it all, we’ve remained incredibly focused on delivering exceptional wine. What we’ve come to know is that everyone can make and enjoy great wine. That’s really the bottom line.
You talk a great deal about women supporting women, which I think is critical. How do you think supporting each other makes a difference in business?
In general, when women get together and have same interests it can be incredibly powerful. It can be a force that’s difficult to stop in the marketplace. And, even though the ‘glass ceiling’ exists, by encouraging and supporting each other we can break through it–together. Camaraderie among women is very important. Additionally, being role models and helping to mentor the younger generation plays a significant role in this equation.
Ladies, thank you for sharing your incredible story of sisterhood and entrepreneurship. Your story is one that can only be complemented by your wine. And, I cannot wait to taste it (I’m sure our readers are thinking the same thing!). So, let’s beat them to the punch: Where can we find your wines?
At grocery stores near you, nationwide: Safeway, Kroger, Albertsons, Ralphs, Harris Teeter, Jewel Osco, Roundy’s and more!
To keep up with the McBride Sisters and learn more about their wines, visit: http://www.mcbridesisters.com/le-negociant or follow them on twitter: @MySisterAndrea and @MySisterRobin.
Karima Mariama-Arthur, Esq. is the founder and CEO of WordSmithRapport, an international consulting firm specializing in professional development. Follow her on Twitter: @WSRapport or visit her website, WordSmithRapport.com.