The McBride Sisters on Everything You Need to Know About Picking a Wine

Skimm Her Life is a series in our weekly newsletter, Skimm Your Life, where smart women share their favorite things.

Sunnier days means prime wine season is just around the corner. For today’s Skimm Her Life, we’re honored to have sisters and co-founders of McBride Sisters Wine Company, Andréa and Robin. They’re spilling the tea (eerrr…rosé) on how to pick and pair a wine, starting their brand, and more. McBride Sisters, take it away…

What inspired you both to start McBride Sisters Wine Company?

RM: My sister and I have a unique story in that we were raised across the Pacific Ocean and in different hemispheres, in two of the world's most iconic wine growing, agriculture and farming regions — Monterey, California and Aotearoa, New Zealand. While we grew up on completely different sides of the world, one clear thing we bonded over was our shared connection to wine. We also connected over our shared entrepreneurial spirit and deep desire to shake up the industry. We started the company with the goal of transforming the industry to make it more inclusive and accessible for everyone.

What’s your favorite wine from your portfolio?

AMJ: My taste is always changing, but right now my favorite is our McBride Sisters Collection Reserve Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine “Golden Spiral” from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Sparkling wine is so diverse in that it can be paired with a number of different cuisines. I love the citrus notes in this one, as well as the classic chardonnay characteristic stone fruit and pineapple flavors. It is fresh and aromatic, and the bottle itself elevates any tablescape.

Name your go-to food and wine pairing.

RM: When it comes to pairing, I love pinot noir. This varietal is lighter-bodied and has a more complex structure, so it generally pairs well with most foods. It’s a great option to grab when you’re in a bind or throwing together a last-minute dinner party. I like pairing our McBride Sisters Collection Central Coast Pinot Noir with a roasted salmon or chicken dish.

Choosing wine can be intimidating. What tips would you give to our readers who have trouble trying to figure out what to buy?

AMJ: Don’t overcomplicate it. At McBride Sisters, we always say, “Break the rules and drink the wine.” Everyone has different tastes, so you should first identify the flavors you enjoy best. Also, consider the occasion. If you’re planning to serve a heartier meal or something with red meat, I recommend a bolder red wine that will stand up to those flavors. White wine is a bit lighter and more refreshing, which makes it a great option to pair with dishes like grilled chicken or creamy pasta dishes. Sparkling is my favorite option for more celebratory occasions. Who doesn’t love popping a cork and toasting to something exciting?

For those new to your brand, what would you like them to know?

RM: Everything we do at McBride Sisters Wine Company is connected back to our clear mission, which we set from day one of launching our business: to transform the wine industry, to lead by example, and to cultivate community, one delicious glass of wine at a time. Something that we are really proud of is the charitable work that we’ve done through our nonprofit, the McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund. The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund supports the professional advancement of different communities of professional women in male-dominated industries, with a particular focus on women of color. To date, the Fund has invested more than $3 million in monetary grants, advertising credits, continued education, scholarship funding, and mentorship.