Wiccan Yule Celebration: The Wiccan Yule celebration is an important holiday in the Wiccan calendar. It is typically observed around the winter solstice, which falls on or around December 21st. Yule marks the longest night of the year and the beginning of the return of the sun, symbolizing the rebirth of light and hope. During the Yule celebration, Wiccans gather to honor the cycles of nature and the turning of the wheel of the year. The holiday is seen as a time of reflection, renewal, and spiritual growth. It is also a time to come together with loved ones and express gratitude for the abundance in life.
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.
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. 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.
It is also a time to come together with loved ones and express gratitude for the abundance in life. Central to the Yule celebration is the lighting of the Yule log, a tradition that dates back to ancient times. The Yule log represents the hearth, warmth, and light during the darkest days of the year.
McBride Sisters Galentine’s Day Virtual Wine Tasting
Celebrating certain holidays in a pandemic sucks. Want to raise the bar of suckiness? Try celebrating Valentine’s Day as a single person in a pandemic. Valentine’s Day is my least-favorite holiday and, matched with the fact that I wasn’t able to properly celebrate Galentine’s Day (a day for the ladies on Feb. 13) with my friends, I was bummed leading into the holiday of love.
That was until I received an email from my beloved Total Wine about a virtual event. The McBride sisters, in conjunction with Total Wine, were hosting a virtual Galentine’s Day wine tasting with their Black Girl Magic wine collection. I was so excited to have plans that day that at least elevated my usual drinking at home agenda.
This virtual tasting featured three of the McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic wines: Sparkling Brut, Red Blend and Rosé. On Friday, Feb. 12, I placed an online order for two of the wines. Sadly, the Sparkling Brut was sold out in Virginia. I was able to pick up my order, which was fulfilled about an hour after I placed it, from my local Total Wine using their curbside pick up.
Bottle images courtesy of McBride Sisters
I had wanted to try Black Girl Magic wines before, but it was hard to order from their website due to supply and demand. Ordering from Total Wine was not only fast and convenient, but I was also able to use a coupon and save 10% on each bottle (and earn points for my purchase).
The day of the virtual tasting, after getting home from brunch with a friend, I set up my bottles and glasses and tuned in for the 30-minute on-demand tasting.
About the McBride Sisters Collection
The virtual tasting started with an introduction from Robin and Andréa McBride. While the two sisters look very similar, their accents greatly differ. Robin grew up in Monterey, California, while Andréa calls Marlborough, New Zealand home. The two share the same father but didn’t find out about each other until they were older.
Robin and Andréa McBride. Image from McBride Sisters
If almost by fate, both of the sisters’ homes are also notable wine-growing regions. Both Robin and Andréa share a love of wine and a desire to break into the wine-making industry, and in 2005, they were able to enjoy the fruits of their labor with the creation of the McBride Sisters Collection.
Click here to read more about the McBride Sisters’ story.
Today, the McBride Sisters Collection is the largest Black-owned wine company in the country and one of the largest woman-owned wineries in the U.S. The McBride Sisters Collection is built upon providing inclusive, accessible, socially aware and sustainable wines with the goal of transforming the industry, leading by example and cultivating community.
Galentine’s Day Virtual Wine Tasting
During the tasting, Robin and Andréa talked a bit about how they started the Black Girl Magic line two years ago. The duo was inspired by the Black women entrepreneurs they met at Essence Festival. The line pays homage to the Black women in their family and “celebrates the beauty, power and resilience of the women we know,” the McBride sisters explained. The sisters shared how they did not anticipate how popular the Black Girl Magic wine collections would be, and said they’re excited to get their products to more customers through vendors like Total Wine.
Since I couldn’t get the New Zealand Sparkling Brut, my tasting began with my favorite genre of wine, rosé. One of the aspects of McBride Sisters Collection wine that Robin and Andréa pride themselves on is the aromatics of their products. I poured a generous tasting of the rosé and was mentally transported to summertime.
This dry rosé has raspberry and orange blossom aromas with a bright, fresh finish. For a dry rosé, it didn’t leave me with a bitter after taste, but just a touch of acidity and citrus. At 13.5% ABV, I had to stop at one glass, otherwise I’d knock out half the bottle and wouldn’t make it through the whole tasting. Black Girl Magic 2019 California Rosé has definitely become my new favorite rosé.
I am very new to the world of red wine, typically going for a less bold pinot noir when I do buy it. I figured the Black Girl Magic 2018 California Red Blend would be a good intro into something new.
This 13.5% ABV red wine features fruit-forward aromas of black cheery and red plum. The initial smell reminded me of the red wines that intimidated me at wine festivals, but the taste was much more approachable, with a subtle finish, and not too oaky. On Sunday night, I paired this red blend with my steak and mashed cauliflower dinner and felt like I was enjoying a luxurious, five-star meal.
I was most looking forward to tasting wines, but I ended up learning so much about the McBride Sisters Collection and Robin and Andréa themselves. Now that I can purchase their wines at Total Wine, I’m eager to sip more. Next, I need to get my hands on the McBride Sisters Collection SHE CAN canned wines. If you know me, you know how much I love a drink in a can.
I am very new to the world of red wine, typically going for a less bold pinot noir when I do buy it. I figured the Black Girl Magic 2018 California Red Blend would be a good intro into something new.
It is usually a large log that is decorated with candles, evergreen branches, and other symbols of the season. The log is then burned as a way to release the old and make way for the new. Another important element of the Yule celebration is the exchange of gifts. Wiccans see gift-giving as a way to share blessings and show appreciation for one another. It is not about materialism but about the thought and intention behind the gift. Wiccans also often incorporate various rituals and ceremonies into their Yule celebrations. These rituals may involve chanting, drumming, dancing, or meditation. They are meant to honor the changing seasons, connect with the divine, and set intentions for the coming year. As with other Wiccan celebrations, Yule is a time to connect with nature and the elements. It is a time to acknowledge the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of living in harmony with the Earth. Many Wiccans also perform rituals outdoors, taking in the beauty of nature and offering gratitude for its gifts. Overall, the Wiccan Yule celebration is a joyous and meaningful time for Wiccans. It is a time to celebrate the return of light, embrace the cycles of nature, and cultivate spiritual growth..
Reviews for "Celebrating the Return of Light during Wiccan Yule"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Wicczn yule celebration." I expected a fun and exciting event, but it turned out to be quite lackluster. The performances were amateurish, the decorations were mediocre, and the overall atmosphere felt flat. I left feeling underwhelmed and wishing I had spent my money elsewhere.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - The "Wicczn yule celebration" was a complete disaster. The event was poorly organized, with long wait times and chaotic lines. The staff seemed clueless and disinterested in helping guests. The activities and entertainment were subpar, with unimpressive performances and a general lack of energy. I left feeling annoyed and frustrated with the whole experience.
3. Mike - 2/5 stars - I attended the "Wicczn yule celebration" expecting to have a magical time, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The event lacked the charm and enchantment that I was hoping for. The decorations were uninspired, and the entertainment was underwhelming. Overall, it felt like a half-hearted attempt to celebrate a special occasion. I wouldn't recommend it to others seeking a true wiccan experience.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars - The "Wicczn yule celebration" was not at all what I anticipated. The event lacked organization, and there were long periods of time where nothing was happening. The performers seemed unprepared and unenthusiastic, which made it difficult to feel engaged. The overall ambiance was underwhelming, and I left feeling disappointed and let down.