Be The Change

Our President, Barack Obama, called us to service and yesterday I took a baby step toward that goal. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., I started the day at Martin Luther King Jr. High School, a few blocks away from my apartment. Several hundred New Yorkers gathered there to put together malaria kits, paint inspirational messages, collect school supplies and knit baby blankets going to homeless shelters. Average age: 13. The energy of so many kids inspired and serving was the embodiment of change...and that got me thirsty!

That night, I got some like-minded friends (Jess, Dhanusha & Lo, Isela and Sue) together for dinner at my neighborhood BYOB to celebrate history in the making with wines from winemakers of color. The first was a 2007 Indaba Chenin Blanc from South Africa ($6 to $10). Indaba is a Zulu word meaning a “meeting of the minds.” Tribal chiefs in South Africa would call their people together to discuss any issues that might affect the village and an indaba would be held. In a way, America just had it's indaba, it has spoken and we are moving forward! I also love the fact that Indaba proceeds support an empowerment scholarship for Black South Africans, previously limited by apartheid, who want to join the wine industry. Luscious, bright, refreshing, apples, fresh pineapple, honey.

The second wine was 2007 Vision Cellars Pinot Noir Mendocino County ($30). It is the “vision” of Mac McDonald, one of America’s first African-American winemakers. His story is about the American dream, hard work and the pursuit of happiness. Mac didn’t come up in the biz. He’s a Texan with a high-school degree who worked at a California gas company for three decades before he launched his winery in '95. In the spirit of service, he co-founded the Association of African American Vintners to help sell fine wine to his community. I had to jump up to Harlem Vintage to find this bottle! (AA producers aren't widely available because they are boutiques with small production volume.) Mac's Pinot Noirs consistently earn high ratings and win big-time industry awards so his wines don't come cheap. The one we tried was a newcomer, but it was perfect. Elegant, refined, bold, smooth. Much like our new Pres.

This article in San Francisco Chronicle has an awesome profile. http://www.visioncellars.com/SFChronicle2008.html