Many heartfelt moments in our lives start with the opening of a bottle of wine. We may not realize it in the moment, but family and friends form bonds over wine. Whether at a family gathering or at a dinner party with friends, wine is a staple at events. Sisters Robin and Andréa McBride show how wine can help bring people together. The age-old beverage helped inspire the wine-making sister duo.

This past Thursday, March 19th, the McBride sisters celebrated the debut of their new wine collection, Truvée Wines, in DC. Partnered with Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, Truvée Wines is the latest wine release from DC&E. The event was held at The Manor, a relatively new restaurant and lounge located in the heart of Dupont Circle. Guests enjoyed Truvée’s Chardonnay and Red Blend, spritzers, sangria cocktails, and food bites at the chic event.

The McBride sisters’ story is, to say the least, a remarkable one. Both born in Los Angeles, the two sisters were raised continents apart by their mothers, unaware of each other’s existence for nearly half of their lives. Robin grew up surrounded by vineyards in Monterey, California, while her younger sister Andréa was grape farming with her uncle in Marlborough, New Zealand. It was their father’s dying wish that his two daughters finally meet. When the sisters reunited at last, they discovered a shared interest in the wine business. As the wine title Truvée, derived from “to find” in French, tells, the two sisters found in each other something worth holding onto and formed a close sisterhood. The entrepreneurial duo became the first African American sisters to found and own a wine company. Robin and Andréa  serve as an inspiration to women and contemporary wine lovers.

The sisters told their heartwarming story at the Truvée Wines launch party held at The Manor, as guests were served complimentary wine and cocktails. Upon entering the event, I was almost immediately offered the Princely Peach Sangria, a cocktail featuring the Truvée Chardonnay. It was light, crisp and refreshing: the perfect start to the evening. I then enjoyed the Saucy Spitzer, mixed with the Truvée Red Blend Wine. This cocktail was by far my favorite at the event: fruity, smooth and flavorful. Then I sampled a taste of the Truvée red and the white. The lightly oaked Chardonnay was light, balanced and not too sweet. The outstanding Rhône Style Red Blend delivered a decadent fruit taste and a bit of a spice. It was rich, velvety and the right amount of sweet. As a red wine fan, I especially enjoyed the Truvée Red Blend .

With a recommended retail price of $15.99, these sophisticated, high-quality wines are attainable for today’s wine drinkers. Browse the Truvée website for more information on this affordable indulgence. Keep an eye out for Truvée wines at DC liquor stores and bars, including The Manor.

-SDM