When Dr. Bassett and Marcela Brown purchased land in the eastern hills of Napa in 1980, the property was never meant to become a winery. The couple envisioned a family retreat that would allow them to retire in open space and fresh air.
What they didn’t know at the time was that the land was well-suited for grape growing. The realtor at the time didn’t disclose this information to the Browns, but their neighbors filled the gap. The couple heeded the neighbor’s advice and made an unconventional decision to plant their first varietal Zinfandel in 1985.
“This was different at the time because everyone else was primarily producing Cabernet Sauvignon,” Farae Strickland, director of membership and guest experience, tells Travel Noire. “The Browns chose to plant Zinfandel, and they did that in one generation when it normally takes two.”
The duo never set out to be winemakers. Instead, they leveraged their ancestors’ agricultural roots. Dr. Brown, originally from Jamaica, and Mrs. Brown, a native of Panama, brought their culture’s sustainable, regenerative organic farming practices to what the family called their “family project.” For the next 10 years, the family sold their grapes to local winemakers and producers throughout Napa Valley until their children convinced them to produce their own wine.
That decision would mark an incredible historical milestone. Brown Estate is the first and remains the only Black-owned wine estate in Napa, California.
“An estate designation means the grapes are grown, and the wine is produced and bottled entirely on the property,” Strickland tells Travel Noire. “The family oversees that entire process.”
Today, Brown Estate and its brand serve as a way for the siblings to honor their parents’ vision and legacy.
Brown Estate Is An Experience Like No Other
Napa Valley’s Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters, is ideal for Zinfandel. The varietal is at the heart of Brown Estate’s offerings. The estate’s portfolio has expanded over time to include Merlot, Petite Sirah, Betelgeuse Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Brown Recluse.
Beyond its award-winning wines, Brown Estate has prioritized creating a welcoming environment based on the Browns’ own experiences.
“As the first Black family to plant roots here, they were outliers in this Napa Valley region,” Strickland adds. “They were outsiders, and when they opened the estate for tastings and welcomed people in, they wanted to create a place that was welcoming for everyone, no matter their experience or exposure to wine.”
Visitors can experience Brown Estate in three different ways. For an intimate experience, the estate will host small crowds at its private vineyard and winery property in Saint Helena, Napa Valley, on Fridays and Saturdays. Availability is limited, and members receive priority access and exclusive experiences.
The Brown Napa Valley HQ is ideal for private events and large-group tastings in this hybrid hospitality space. Brown Downtown Napa is a public tasting room open Thursday through Tuesday at four select times. The team strongly recommends reservations, as space fills quickly.
“Brown Estate is a wonderful place and experience to have,” Strickland says. “It’s a welcoming and familiar space that is an all-sensory, incredible experience.”
