In Celebration of Black History Month
Uncle Nearest, founded by Fawn Weaver
To celebrate Black History Month, we’ve gathered up our favorite Black-owned wine and spirits brands, one of which hails from the legacy of Nathan “Nearest” Green, the maker of what many call the best whiskey in the world.
That whiskey, named Uncle Nearest after its maker, gives us an opportunity to share his untold story through a short film narrated by Emmy-Award winning actor Jeffrey Wright. You’ll want to take the time to listen and learn about a little-known enslaved person who became the first African-American Master Distiller. The account goes beyond just whiskey to highlight honor, respect, and an unlikely friendship.
Keep reading to learn more about Uncle Nearest, and our other other favorite Black-owned brands that we want to celebrate at theBUBBLY.Life this month, and every month.
McBride Sisters
Founded by two fierce, female and forward-thinking leaders in an industry historically defined by tradition and gender. It has grown into what is not only the largest Black-owned wine company, but one of the most inclusive, accessible, socially aware and sustainable.
Ashanta Wines
5th generation Oakland native and 3rd generation winemaker, Chenoa Ashton-Lewis, and cinematographer, Will Basanta, released their first commercial vintage at the historic Coturri Winery, introducing their label Ashanta Wines. They abide by zero:zero, traditional winemaking practices and makes a full range of bespoke wines.
HOUSE OF BROWN
HOUSE OF BROWN is a second label offspring of Brown Estate, Napa Valley’s first Black-owned estate winery. It was created to expand access to the Brown wine experience, and is an homage to their Come one, come all (come correct!) ethos. The wines are easy drinking anytime-anywhere wines, always in season. Produced by women of color, certified sustainable, vegan-friendly.
Uncle Nearest
Uncle Nearest hails from the legacy of the best whiskey maker the world never knew – Nathan “Nearest” Green.
Fawn Weaver founded the whiskey company in 2017 in honor of Nathan “Nearest” Green, a Black man nicknamed 'Uncle Nearest' who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey.
Family and legacy prevail at Uncle Nearest. Their current director of whiskey operations, Sherrie Moore, is a descendant of Jack Daniel and spent 30+ years working for the family business at Jack Daniel’s distillery. At Uncle Nearest, she oversees the entire whiskey-making process, from barrel entry to filtering and whisky maturation.
The historical ties continue with Victoria Eady Butler, the first Black female Master Blender in the American spirits industry. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Nearest Green and joined the company in 2019.
The legacy of Uncle Nearest was turned into a short film narrated by Emmy-Award winning actor Jeffrey Wright. It’s the account of an enslaved person who was the first known African-American master distiller, a story that goes beyond whiskey to highlight honor, respect, and an unlikely friendship.
