“We’ve all been in positions where we felt out of place or not accepted for whatever reason. For me, that’s been my life. I’ve always been that person that stood out. And what makes you an outcast is what makes you unique, and you should harness that. Being a black sheep gives you creative license to do sh*t differently.” DesignWineEntrepreneurEntrepreneurshipStartupsBlack SheepBusiness WisdomWine BusinessGraphic ArtsQuirkinessWinemaker Quotes Author:Andre Hueston Mack
“People should have fun with wine. A bottle should sit on your dinner table like all of the other condiments.” Wine QuotesWine LoversFine DiningSommelierWine DrinkingBottle Of Wine Author:Andre Hueston Mack
“Drinking wine was not historically limited to people who could afford it. Western and European culture turned it into an elite thing. Winemakers were farmers and field workers. Everyday people. And that’s who should enjoy and have access to wine.” Wine QuotesWine MakingSommelierWine DrinkingWinemakers Author:Andre Hueston Mack
“The common myth is that African Americans aren’t well-educated about wine, but in truth, we’re like everyone else. We like what we like – high or low. A $100 bottle of wine can taste as awful as a $2 bottle, and the opposite is true, as well. If you know what you like, buy it. But don’t just buy it because it’s expensive.” Wine MakingSommelierWine DrinkingWinemakersVintnersWine Tasting Quotes Author:Andre Hueston Mack
“Black vintners in this country make some really great wines. Explore a wine list and you will find at least one of our wines in the best restaurants. Buy a bottle for your table, and let management know you appreciate them including a Black winemaker in their stock.” African AmericanWine MakingSommelierWine DrinkingVintnersWine Lists Author:Andre Hueston Mack
“At the end of the day, it's just grape juice. No one needs anything that I make. The last thing we need is another wine on the shelf. So that just makes me grateful for the people who do enjoy it.” EntrepreneurshipStartupsWine QuotesWine MakingWine DrinkingBusiness WisdomWine BusinessGrape JuiceWine Wisdom Author:Andre Hueston Mack
“Some people say, "What difference does it make what color the winemaker is that made the wine? Judge the wines off their own merit." Like, of course. And I do believe that my wine is judged off its own merit. But the fact is that when you walk into places and people can't believe that you're the principal or you're the owner or you made the wine, it's mind-blowing to me some days. It's like, wow. That's why we need to continue talking about it.” RaceWineEntrepreneurshipAfrican AmericansRace RelationsStartupsSommelierWinemakersWine BusinessAfrican American Vintners Author:Andre Hueston Mack
“I feel like you can’t judge a book by its cover, that’s always been the story of my life. I can walk into any restaurant and people would be floored to learn that I know what I do about wine, let alone that I ran one of the best wine programs in the world.” WineEntrepreneurshipStartupsBlack SheepSommelierBusiness WisdomWine BusinessWinemaker Quotes Author:Andre Hueston Mack
“Making wine and drinking wine is not new to African Americans and others in the Diaspora. South Africa has a three-century history in growing, harvesting and distilling grapes as wine. The entire continent of Africa has a history in wine-making. In this country, slaves cultivated the vineyards owned by Thomas Jefferson and other vintners.” AfricaAfrican AmericansSlavesAfrican American HistoryWine QuotesThomas JeffersonWine MakingWine History Author:Andre Hueston Mack