Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official on January 1, 1863.
In less than 50 years post-slavery and reconstruction, ex-slaves migrated to the Midwest regions of America. This is also known as the Exodusters movement/great migration. This resulted in many African Americans relocating to states such as Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri for greater opportunities, land purchases, and work. Juneteenth has been celebrated in Wichita Kansas as early as the 1900’s when blacks would celebrate what they considered to be their Independence Day.
Here at Jenny Dawn Cellars, we are celebrating Juneteenth the entire month of June. We have added Happy Hour cookouts to our winery Tuesday through Friday nights, and are re-releasing our Blackberry Passion wine!
Blackberry Passion will be re-launched at our Juneteenth Celebration on June 18, 2022.
A ripe watermelon with juicy, red flesh is a traditional Juneteenth dessert, but in recent decades, red velvet cake or strawberry cake has been added to the menu. We recommend pairing watermelon or strawberry cake with our Jenny Dawn Cellars Rosé Wine.
Jenny Dawn Cellars Rosé Wine pairs with fruit and desserts.
We are also celebrating Juneteenth with our community, and taking part in Juneteenth Cocktail Week to help support Community Operations Recovery Empowerment.
Juneteenth cocktail week, June 12 – 19. A percentage of the proceeds will support the Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant which uplifts African American youth seeking post-secondary education.
Our Juneteenth Specialty Cocktail is our Jenny Dawn Cellars Old Fashioned featuring our Red Caboose wine and Uncle Nearest Whiskey. This cocktail is available June 14th – 18th only. So stop in this week and help support this great cause!
Old Fashioned Cocktail made from Jenny Dawn Cellars Red Caboose Wine and Uncle Nearest whiskey
Cheers to celebrating the history of Juneteenth with family, friends, good food, and delicious wine.