Since June 24th, when the rights of women around the country were stripped, and we were hurtled back down the well we’ve been clawing ourselves out of for centuries, I have felt furious and frustrated. So, this month for our Pre-Paired, we’re getting loud! Thankfully the voices of women in the food and beverage worlds are getting louder by the day, and it is our mission to keep that trend going.

And so, without further ado, we’d like to share with you some of the most remarkable women in wine, cheese, chocolate and music. And, of course, make sure you’re signed up for our monthly Pre-Paired!

For this month’s pre-paired we are getting loud!

Before we get into our pairings, make sure you open up our custom curated playlist to play as you go!

McBride Sisters “Black Girl Magic Sparkling Brut California NV

Grapes: Viognier and Chardonnay

The Story: Newly found sisters who had been raised across the world from one another, Robin and Andréa’s love affair with wine was planted within them from an early age while growing up in two of the world’s most iconic wine-growing regions. McBride Sisters has grown into what is not only the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States, but one of the most inclusive, accessible, socially aware and sustainable. Please learn more about their story here.

Tasting Notes: Enjoy some lovely pineapple, melon and floral aromas on the nose with ripe pear, crisp apple, and white peach on the palate.

Music Pairing: For this month’s pre-paired we are getting Loud! This is our mantra at the moment and just as the McBride sisters – and so many other women winemakers – are making noise in the wine world, our first musical selection reminds us that to affect change, anywhere, anytime, we need to raise our fists, our voices, and… GET LOUD!

Acquiesce Bourboulenc 2020

Grapes: 100% Bourboulenc

The Story: In a region where red wine is king, Sue and the team at Acquiesce make only white wines, which we think is pretty

rebellious and awesome. Not only that, their wine is refreshing, delicious, and perfect for a post rally hang with your activist friends.

Tasting Notes: The climate is very similar to that of the Southern Rhône with cool nighttime breezes gives the grapes ripe, fruity flavors with excellent balance and natural acidity, with some beeswax on the nose, citrus flavors of orange and key lime and a wonderful minerality ending with a honeyed finish. It’s completely dry but the honey and citrus flavor notes hint at a sweetness that’s just perfect for summer!

Music Pairing: K.D. Lang’s song “Acquiesce” acts as an inspiration for us during these challenging times. We adore the ethereal backing vocals and steady beat that keep us grooving while sipping on this dreamy Bourboulenc. “These immoral questions, Trial of faith, That we go through. The fuel of our oppressions Is the fuel of freedom too.”

Theopolis 2018 Estate Grown Petite Sirah

Grapes: 100% Petite Sirah

The Story: Theodora Lee – known as “Theopatra” in the wine world – is a Senior Partner and trial lawyer as well as the founder and winemaker of Theopolis Vineyards. First falling in love with wine in the late 1980s, she bought sheep land in the Yorkville Highlands and developed her own vineyard. Her accolades are too numerous to list here, and we invite you to read more about her here.

Tasting Notes: Bright fruit, firm tannins, and robust spice envelop this estate grown Petite Sirah. The glass opens with fragrant notes of black cherry, violets, and woodsy spices. Indulge in big notes of cola, vanilla, and blackberry jam which burst on your palate framed by velvety tannins. This vintage will stand up now but can age beautifully for decades.

Music Pairing: If there’s anyone who knows how to fight – and fight for her passion – it’s a lawyer-turned-winemaker! What else do we need to do besides get loud? We need to fight for our rights. Not with our fists, but with our voices, our minds, our hearts, and our ballots, Christina Aguilera’s song Fighter gets us revved up to make noise and help usher in a sea of change. Petite Sirah is an inky, full-bodied grape so we recommend getting a bottle now and storing it to celebrate with in November!

Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt. Tam

Mt. Tam is Cowgirl Creamery’s signature cheese. This cheese has all the lusciousness you want from a triple cream with a unique heart that upholds its texture. Named by co-owners Sue Conley and Peggy Smith after the iconic landmark Mount Tamalpais, it’s produced with organic, locally sourced milk that takes you from fudgy firmness to buttery softness and with flavors spanning from bright creme fraîche to complex and mushroomy, evoking the North Bay’s lush green and gold pastures.

Milene Jardine Chocolatier

We’ve been working with Milene Jardine Chocolatier since the very early days of virtual events during the pandemic. Each of Milene’s signature truffles and chocolate bars is inspired by her travels: Japan, Paris, Italy, New York.. They are perfect little squares of bliss and will pair especially beautifully especially with the Bourboulenc and Petite Sirah.

We are not taking this lying down. We are getting loud, and we hope you’ll join us. Don’t forget to sign up for our monthly Pre-Paired series.

We’ll see you in August!