"If you can think it, you can achieve it"
Marvina Robinson, one of the few African American women owning a Champagne brand, sat down with us to share her inspiring story, winemaking philosophy.
"I originally wanted to open up a Champagne bar because I am a true lover of champagne,"
“I've worked on wall street for 20 years and wine was not in my official training…So, I was slowly working on a private label”
“The bar would be in New york and Brooklyn where I'm born and raised from, I wanted it to reflect me so I said okay let's make a house brand…and that's where B. Stuyvesant came from. The name alone derives from the neighbourhood I grew up in, Brooklyn, Bedford Stuyvesant”
"I decided to keep growing this out. On the weekends, I would grab a flight out on Friday, head to France overnight, do my business on the weekend, grab a flight back for Sunday…This was my process for 6 months"
Eventually, Marvina took the full plunge to pursue her passion full-time, leaving her world of Finance behind. "I decided to take the plunge, and I said, 'Okay, you know, I'm going to go from the land of consistent income, benefits, all the perks, to the land of being a full-time entrepreneur"
Championing Diversity in the Wine Industry
"I would like to show that there's diversity in the industry. We all know that the wine industry is not diverse with African Americans, not diverse with women, and I want to show that for people who are younger or who are thinking to say, 'Hey, I think I want to do this,' that it can be done."
Favourite Wine?
We tasted two of Marvina's most loved B. Stuyvesant Champagne's cuvées using the Coravin Sparkling. The first wine, Prestige Rosé exhibited strong floral notes. According to Marvina, it pairs nicely with grilled salmon, lightly buttered with capers, and a smidge of lemon zest on top."
Marvina also loves the Demi Sec, "It has a smidge of sweetness to it. It's not like a Doux or anything, which is an ultimate dessert wine. It is a little bit sweeter than the traditional brut." She recommends pairing it with fresh fruit, strawberries, or a nice cake with a glaze.
In a world where the wine industry has long been dominated by a select few, Marvina Robinson's story is a refreshing and much-needed breath of fresh air. Her journey from the high-stakes world of Wall Street to the rolling vineyards of France is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of one's dreams.