The old witch is a figure deeply ingrained in our collective imaginations. She is often depicted as an elderly woman with haggard features and a crooked nose, dressed in tattered clothes and surrounded by potions and spell books. In folklore and mythology, the old witch is believed to possess supernatural powers and to practice dark magic. Throughout history, the old witch has been portrayed as both a malevolent and benevolent figure. In some stories, she is seen as a wicked sorceress who uses her powers to cause harm and misfortune. She is often associated with curses, hexes, and spells that bring about illness, death, and supernatural disturbances.
Since the incredible launch of our McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic Riesling, we’ve added a Red Blend, Rosé, Sparkling Burt, Merlot and Zinfandel to our the Black Girl Magic collection. These wines and this label have received so much love from you all! We see your amazing Instagram posts showcasing your Black Girl Magic and that’s the reason we made this brand.
If we were to honor the direct women in our family and the women within our community with a wine to celebrate their beauty and their resilience, what would that label look like. In addition to wanting to honor the women in their family, they also wanted to tribute Black women, from Mayor LaToya Cantrell in New Orleans to countless other queens in different areas, who were making their mark that year and always in all ways.
She is often associated with curses, hexes, and spells that bring about illness, death, and supernatural disturbances. The old witch is feared and avoided by the villagers who believe that she is capable of casting evil spells and curses on anyone who crosses her path. On the other hand, the old witch can also be portrayed as a wise and powerful figure.
Black Girl Magic Wine Creators On The Growth Of Their Brand And How They're Celebrating Black Girl Magic Day
The McBride sisters chat with us about going from one Riesling wine in 2018 to a full collection, book club, 'Dine and Diaspora' program, a fund to uplift Black women winemakers and more.
Courtesy of the McBride SistersWhen the McBride sisters, Robin and Andréa, first came up with the idea for Black Girl Magic Wines in 2018, it was at a time when actual Black girl magic was in full effect. In addition to wanting to honor the women in their family, they also wanted to tribute Black women, from Mayor LaToya Cantrell in New Orleans to countless other queens in different areas, who were making their mark that year and always in all ways. They also wanted to do it on the biggest stage for Black women — ESSENCE Festival.
“There were a ton of amazing milestones and accomplishments happening across all different sectors from entertainment, music, business, politics, academia, all over the board,” Andréa tells ESSENCE. “And when Robin and I were talking about how we wanted to show up at ESSENCE, we were thinking, What could we do to commemorate what is really turning into an amazing year for our community, and in particular Black woman?“
The end result was the Black Girl Magic Wine label. They brought it to New Orleans for ESSENCE Fest 2018, showcasing it at the event’s opening party. The reaction Black women had to seeing the name of the brand on the standout labels and to tasting the wines was overwhelmingly positive. Recalling that time, they say that they were blown away by the response, but not shocked.
“The wine industry has never served Black women wine drinkers, or respected their palette,” Andréa says. “So we knew that there was a massive opportunity to be able to serve her.”
“I think when we did launch at ESSENCE Festival with the one wine, with the Riesling, we knew that people were going to love the wine and it would be well received,” Robin adds. “I think maybe the one thing we weren’t quite prepared for was the immediate volume in demand, but we were very happy and honored with how many people did love them and wanted more.”
Book Club selections – Black Girl Magic Wines
And more is what fans of the brand have received over the years and continue to receive. Much more. Since that launch, the McBride sisters have brought many more flavors and blends to their ever-growing base of supporters. They’ve also branched out to do more than just selling amazing wines, creating events, clubs and opportunities to highlight Black culture, changemakers, and to center wine in all of it. In honor of Black Girl Magic Day, which is Feb. 15th, they have an event with sommelier and The Hue Society founder Tahiirah Habibi. It’s a virtual wine tasting free to the public. Guests are welcome to bring along a bottle of some of the wines that will be sipped on, including the California Sparkling Brut, the California Riesling 2020, California Merlot 2018 and more.
“It’s going to be a joyful experience,” Robin says. “A celebration of Black Girl Magic. And we all have a great time when we’re together. Andréa and I and Tahiirah. We expect to have lots of folks join us while we drink really good wine and have a good time.”
In addition to this, they have a Dine and Diaspora program, partnering with talented Black chefs, having a conversation with them while pairing their dishes with one of the popular Black Girl Magic Wines to trace history through food and drinks. They also have their book club with Simon & Schuster, launched in 2021 but back in the new year. The first two selections for 2022 are Black Joy by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts and Speak by Tunde Oyenein. Future book club selections will offer opportunities for the sisters to interview the authors and discuss the books over wine. There’s also new Reserve Wines on the way from California and New Zealand, where the sisters have roots. And for International Women’s Day in March, the McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund will announce the 2022 initiatives for the professional development fund.
The New Zealand Reserve Wines – Black Girl Magic Wines
What started with just wine has expanded greatly in just a few years — a true example of Black girl magic from Robin and Andréa. They hope the path they’ve been able to pave, and the SHE CAN fund, will make a way for more Black women winemakers to sprinkle their magic within a less than diverse industry. This will allow for the Black woman wine drinker to be fully catered to.
“The wine industry and also, I think the spirits industry, are both sectors that could really benefit from innovation of thought. Innovation of people, innovation of background, innovation of cultures,” Andréa says. “Everybody’s going to bring a different approach to something based on their background and their experience. So we think the future is bright for the wine industry if it can bring in more people of color, more women into these spaces and rooms and places where decisions get made from a macro standpoint. Move the industry forward.”
McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic was cultivated at a time when we were seeing Black women breaking barriers as judges, scientists and in sports and entertainment. Black women were a huge part of the wine industry consumer demographic but were being underserved. If we were to honor the direct women in our family and the women within our community with a wine to celebrate their beauty and their resilience, what would that label look like?
In some folklore, she is seen as a protector of the natural world and a guardian of ancient knowledge. She possesses deep wisdom and an understanding of the mystical forces that govern the universe. People seek out her guidance and advice, often bringing her offerings and gifts in exchange for her magical insights. The old witch is not bound by society's norms and conventions. She is often depicted as living on the fringes of society, dwelling in a crumbling cottage in the woods or atop a secluded mountain. Her isolation and eccentricity only add to her mystery and allure. She is seen as someone who is connected to the supernatural realm and has deep knowledge of the unseen forces at work in the world. Despite her scary appearance and reputation, the old witch often serves as a source of fascination and intrigue. She represents a bridge between the natural and the supernatural, the known and the unknown. The old witch has captured our imaginations for centuries, appearing in fairy tales, legends, and folklore from around the world. In conclusion, the old witch is a complex and multifaceted figure that has fascinated and terrified us throughout history. She embodies the dual nature of the supernatural, capable of both great harm and great wisdom. Whether seen as a wicked sorceress or a wise protector, the old witch continues to captivate our imaginations and play a significant role in our cultural mythology..
Reviews for "The Old Witch's Apprentice: From Fear to Power"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I have to say, I was quite disappointed with "The Old Witch". The storyline seemed promising at first, but it quickly became convoluted and confusing. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with any of them. The pacing was also off, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I found it to be a rather underwhelming and forgettable read.
2. Matthew - 1/5 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "The Old Witch" based on the positive reviews I had seen. However, I found it to be incredibly boring and uninspiring. The plot was predictable and lacked any originality. The writing style was dull and the dialogue felt forced. The main character was also quite unlikeable, making it difficult to care about her journey. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to others.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - As a fan of fantasy novels, I was excited to delve into "The Old Witch". Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The world-building was mediocre at best, and the magic system was poorly explained. The plot lacked any real tension or conflict, making it difficult to stay engaged. The characters were also forgettable and lacked depth. Overall, I found "The Old Witch" to be a forgettable and uninspired fantasy read.
4. Jason - 3/5 stars - "The Old Witch" had its moments, but it ultimately failed to meet my expectations. While the concept was intriguing, the execution felt lackluster. The pacing was inconsistent, with moments of intense action followed by lengthy periods of nothing happening. The ending was also quite unsatisfying and left a lot of loose ends. While it had some enjoyable elements, I can't say that I would recommend this book to others.
5. Megan - 2/5 stars - Unfortunately, "The Old Witch" did not live up to the hype for me. The writing style felt amateurish and the prose was often clumsy. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises. Overall, I found "The Old Witch" to be a disappointing read and wouldn't recommend it to others.