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The month of February was first established as Black History Month in 1970 to celebrate the accomplishments of the Black community and its history. In the wine and spirits industry, Black History Month is an opportunity to raise awareness and to celebrate Black-owned companies. Scroll through to explore these 12 Black-Owned beverage companies available at Empire Distributors’ locations*.
About: Owned by award-winning musician, entrepreneur, actor and producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Branson Cognac represents a bespoke, exclusive and unique Cognac that showcases the highest quality of Cognac being made from the best vineyards in every bottle.
Beverage Category: Cognac Brandy
Empire Distributors Market Availability: Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Savannah, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville
About: Cincoro was created by Michael Jordan (alongside four other NBA team owners) with a specific goal in mind: “to create the new gold standard for the spirit.” The tequilas are uniquely made with Weber blue agave from both the highland and lowland regions that have been cooked and distilled separately then artfully blended together into a single exceptional tequila.
Beverage Category: Tequila (Reposado, Blanco, Añejo, Extra Añejo and Gold)
Empire Distributors Market Availability: Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Savannah, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville
About: D’USSÉ Cognac was founded by Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter and aims to be the modern expression of Cognac, standing for integrity, boldness, freedom and the elevation of authenticity. The result is a unique cognac that begins with distinguished intensity and finishes pleasantly smooth and balanced.
Beverage Category: Cognac Brandy
Empire Distributors Market Availability: Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Savannah, and Knoxville
About: Indoggo, founded by Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus and inspired by his hit song “Gin and Juice,” is the ultimate remix of seven premium botanicals infused with all-natural strawberry flavor. Indoggo, with its laid-back California style, is easy to mix and easy to drink.
Beverage Category: Botanical-Strawberry Gin
Empire Distributors Market Availability: Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Savannah, Chattanooga, and Knoxville
About: Le Chemin du Roi is also owned by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Le Chemin du Roi, meaning “the King’s path,” takes great pride in delivering a flawless taste of victory and the symbol of the King in every bottle. This sparkling wine is made from grapes grown in some of the finest vineyards in Champagne that have matured to peak ripeness. After pressing, the wine is aged over four years, and on the lees to create a balance of bright and crisp acidity with notes of ripe stone fruits.
Beverage Category: Sparkling Champagne
Empire Distributors Market Availability: Atlanta, Chattanooga and Knoxville
About: Backed by LeBron James and led by CEO Dia Simms, Lobos 1707 is an independent spirits producer that marries heritage and innovation. Their tequilas and mezcal are finished in PX wine barrels, following a 400 year legacy of tradition.
Beverage Category: Tequila (Reposado, Joven, Añejo, and Extra Añejo) and Mezcal
Empire Distributors Market Availability: Atlanta, Albany, Savannah, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville
About: Winemaker Phil Long founded Longevity based on his love affair with his wife, Debra. Phil personally designed the delicate heart logo on their bottles, then had it tattooed on his forearm before Debra lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in 2019 so that she will always be with him. He is also the president of the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV).
Beverage Category: California Wine
Empire Distributors Market Availability: Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, Winston Salem, Chattanooga, Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville
About: Sorel Liqueur is a hibiscus-flavored liqueur founded by the first licensed black distiller, Jackie Summers. Hand-crafted in small batches, Sorel is created with a combination of exotic botanicals, pure cane sugar and the finest organic grain alcohol, offering a unique aromatic profile and a distinctive flavor and creating vast new options for both consumers and mixologists.
Beverage Category: Botanical Liqueur
Empire Distributors Market Availability: Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Savannah and Nashville
Photo Credit: VinePair
About: Mary J. Blige produces this wine label, named Sun Goddess for the nickname her mother gave her as a child. Sun Goddess wines are produced from sun-kissed vineyards owned by the Fantinel family in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Beverage Category: Italian Wine
Empire Distributors Market Availability: Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, and Colorado
About: Created in a small town in the highlands of Jalisco, founder Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson worked with a Mexican family-owned distillery to build a unique home on the grounds solely for Teremana. There, they craft Teremana with a love for great tequila made the right way, in small batches, by hand.
Beverage Category: Tequila (Reposado, Blanco, and Añejo)
Empire Distributors Market Availability: Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Savannah, and Chattanooga
About: Uncle Nearest is the proud legacy of the Godfather of Tennessee Whiskey, Nearest Green, who was a former slave and America’s first known African-American master distiller. Founded by Fawn Weaver, each small batch of Uncle Nearest 1884 is curated by 5th generation Green descendant, Master Blender, Victoria Eady Butler.
Beverage Category: Tennessee Whiskey
Empire Distributors Market Availability: Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Savannah, Chattanooga, Memphis, Knoxville and Nashville
About: Founded by famous American jazz pianist and producer, Marcus Johnson, FLO stands for, “For the Love Of” and represents the journey through which we discover those things in life that fulfill us. FLO Wine is but one expression of all the fulfilling things that make each experience a little better from the love of life to the love of music.
Beverage Category: California Wine
Empire Distributors Market Availability: Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, Winston Salem
Reach out with any questions you may have to see just how responsive, knowledgeable and downright friendly an Empire Representative can be.
