Moments with Jenny Dawn Cellars Blog

Moments with Jenny Dawn Cellars

Jenny Dawn Cellars among Oprah’s list of Black-Owned Wineries in the U.S. and around the world

Out of the more than 11,000 wineries based in the U.S., less than 1 percent of those are Black-owned or have a Black winemaker. Within the past couple of years, there’s been a push toward purchasing from Black-owned businesses, which has bolstered awareness and shined a spotlight on the benefit of increasing diversity.

From sophisticated red blends to sparkling bubbly, plus delicious whites and other varieties, businesses such as B. Stuyvesant, Theopolis Vineyards, and Maison Noir are among the handful of Black-owned wineries producing some of the finest wines in the world—while paving the way for aspiring winemakers.

To read the full article and list of black-owned wineries, click here.

winemaker Jennifer McDonald smelling a glass of wine in her winery

Jennifer McDonald makes Sweet July’s list of 15 Women of Color-Owned Wine Labels to Support

Today, thanks to many badass trailblazers like Iris Rideau, Theodora Lee, Tahiirah Habibi, Dorothy J. Gaiter, Julia Coney, Jennifer McDonald and so many others, women of color are breaking glass ceilings unapologetically in the wine industry. From retail shop owners, small business owners, journalists, and marketing executives to vineyard managers and social media influencers, women are changing the world of wine and lifting as they climb every step of the way.

This progress extends to the growing number of vintners and winemakers across the country and world. Here are 15 wine brands helmed by women of color that you should add to your growing wine repertoire.

Read more about the 15 winemakers on the list here.

Jennifer McDonald’s African Ancestry Journey

“For Africa, to me … is more than a glamorous fact. It is a historical truth. No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place.” – Maya Angelou 

Genealogy tracing has become a popular investment for Americans. Particularly important to one demographic. African-Americans of all different backgrounds were deliberately separated from their ancestry by the slave trade and events that followed. Generations have lived their whole lives wanting to know who they were and where they came from, in regards to their African Ancestry. To take advantage of this genetic technology is to accomplish what many Africans-Americans have been trying to achieve for decades. The information gained can be utilized to make meaning and new connections that will be beneficial in how you see yourself in the world! 

Continue reading “Jennifer McDonald’s African Ancestry Journey”

Jennifer McDonald owner of Jenny Dawn Cellars

Linktree Blog Highlights Jenny Dawn Cellars in Article about Supporting Black Wine Industry

“I am a well-dressed, well-spoken, educated Black woman. And when I walked through the doors of wineries, I wasn’t even greeted,” McDonald recalled. “I wasn’t even spoken to, said hello to, or made to feel welcome in their establishment as a paying customer.”

The slight was one of many reasons that propelled McDonald to create her own wine business and offer the kind of white-glove service all patrons should expect. Jenny Dawn Cellars has 14 handcrafted wines, all made and bottled onsite including a Union Station Chardonnay, Black Locomotive Crimson Cabernet, Red Caboose Dry Rosé, and Semi-Sweet White. Her wine and education class — cleverly dubbed Winuecation — allows patrons to sample six global wines paired with three appetizers.

 

“I always go out of my way to be very approachable and down to earth and make the experience fun.”

Read the full article here.

Celebrate National Drink Day at Jenny Dawn Cellars

National Drink Wine Day is Feb. 18. If your response to that is, “isn’t every day Drink Wine Day?” then this blog post is for you! Here are the best spots in Wichita to raise a glass in celebration of National Drink Wine Day, or any day for that matter.

In 2021, five Wichita restaurants were recognized as some of the “world’s best restaurants for wine,” earning 2021 Wine Spectator awards. The magazine chooses award winners on three levels.

Jenny Dawn Cellars

This chill spot is a great place to win(e)d down with friends to celebrate and relax. The lowkey winery is located next to Union Station in downtown Wichita. All of the wines offered are made in-house. How cool is that?  Jenny, offers wine flights to help you find a wine fit for you. She also offers guided wine tastings monthly, so be on the lookout if you’re interested.

To read about the other four Wichita restaurants listed, the entire Visit Wichita article can be found here

Jenny Dawn Cellars among list of “20 Black-Owned Wineries You Should Know”

Winemaking is not a field that has ever drawn a large number of African-American winemakers or winery owners, and it is not a field that has been particularly hospitable to them.

According to some estimates, no more than 1% of the country’s wineries are owned in whole or in part by Blacks or have a Black winemaker. African-American winemaker Phil Long of Longevity Wines in California’s Livermore Valley, president of the Association of African American Vintners, thinks even that estimate is too high, believing that the percentage is more like 0.1%. Whatever the reality, it’s undeniable that the industry is overwhelmingly white.

Doing consumer marketing research as a grad student at Kansas State University, Jennifer McDonald thought there’d be a place for an urban winery to serve city-dwellers. After unsuccessfully applying to nine other banks to finance her business – an experience she attributes to skepticism about whether a young black woman could successfully run a winery business in the Sunflower State – she won backing to establish Jenny Dawn in Wichita’s historic Union Station.

To read the rest of this article and find out about the other 19 wineries featured, click here

Jenny Dawn Cellars named among the ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Wichita

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and Visit Wichita compiled a collection of ways to celebrate love. Jenny Dawn Cellars was mentioned along with other Wichita businesses hosting events and activities for the weekend of Valentine’s 2022.

Jenny Dawn Cellars special events: Make Reservations for the Feb. 11 Valentine’s Day Wine and Jazz Dinner or Feb. 12 Valentine’s Day Wine and Jazz Dinner and enjoy an evening of live jazz music by Micah White and Chris Shaw, a three-course meal with a mocha mouse cake for dessert and a bottle of award-winning wine. Cost is $100 per couple, all tables will be properly distanced.

To read the complete article, click here.

Jenny Dawn Cellars included in events to participate in during Black History Month

February is Black History Month, and Visit Wichita featured several Jenny Dawn Cellars events to help celebrate the history and culture of Black Americans.

Jenny Dawn Cellars

Jennifer McDonald, the founder of downtown winery Jenny Dawn Cellars, started as an at-home winemaker and is the first black winemaker and winery owner in Kansas. The winery has several events celebrating Black History Month. On Feb. 15, attend Wineucation – Black History Month Wines. Each month, they host wine education classes. February’s Wineucation is focused on wines that were produced by Black Winemakers. Tracing Our Roots with Jennifer McDonald will take place on Feb. 16 and the virtual book discussion and wine tasting, Be The Dream, will be held on Feb. 28.

Collectively, Jenny Dawn Cellars makes 14 different wines, many of which have earned various awards; the Chardonnay won “Best in Class” the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. They have Black History month multi-packs you can find here. Plus, the winery ships their homemade wines across the country, allowing you to savor the winery’s delicious wines no matter where you live!

To read the complete article, click here.

Jennifer McDonald owner of Jenny Dawn Cellars

Jenny Dawn Cellars named among black-owned businesses to support in Wichita

February is Black History Month, and Visit Wichita highlighted black-owned businesses in a blog post on their site this week. Jenny Dawn Cellars was listed among several other notable black-owned businesses to support in the Wichita community.

Jenny Dawn Cellars

Jennifer McDonald is the first Black winemaker and winery owner in Kansas, opening Jenny Dawn Cellars in 2019. The winery crafts its own wines on-site, working with grapes and juices from growers in Kansas and California.

Collectively, Jenny Dawn Cellars makes 14 different wines, many of which have earned awards, like the chardonnay named “Best in Class” in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Plus, the winery ships its hand-crafted wines across the country, allowing you to savor delicious wines no matter where you live.

To read the complete article, click here.

Valentine’s Day Wine and Jazz Dinner

An evening filled with Wine and Jazz pair together almost as well as you and your Valentine. Celebrate your Valentine’s Day at Jenny Dawn Cellars February 12th at 6PM to 8PM for the Tour of Italy. 

Join us for an evening of romance, live jazz music, delicious food and of course award winning wine.

Each couple will receive a bottle of wine and a 3 course meal including dessert.

The cost is $100 per couple.

There are limited tickets available and all of the tables will be socially distanced.

 

Valentine’s Day Dinner Options

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