As we come to the close of Black History Month, I’d like to focus on a black-owned winery that I think is one of the best and most innovative in the country: Maison Noir. If you attended the BIPOC-focused wine tasting event at 3S with me in December, you were able to try a few of these wines.
Maison Noir Wines, founded by sommelier André Hueston Mack in 2007, incorporates his trademark attitude and personal perspective on wine subculture. The wines are unique and distinctive garage wines, sourcing the best fruit possible in the Willamette Valley region of Oregon to produce wines that show the individuality of their respective sites and terroirs.
“Wine is not a beverage reserved for the elite, but can and should be enjoyed by everyone. A wine’s place is on the table right next to the salt and pepper, as a compliment–even a condiment to the food. It is not meant only to be collected, but to enhance your meal and your way of life.”
-André Hueston Mack
Despite having a successful career with Citicorp Investment Services, Mack decided to leave his “desk job” to pursue his passion for wine. While working as a sommelier in San Antonio, Mack discovered the joys of introducing guests to the little known vineyards that first attracted him to the business and “the instant gratification of a guest’s reaction.”
While still in Texas, Mack was awarded the prestigious title of Best Young Sommelier in America by the highly regarded Chaine des Rotisseurs. This recognition led to a job as sommelier at Thomas Keller’s world-renowned French Laundry in Yountville, California. Mack went on to accept the position of Head Sommelier at Keller’s equally famed Per Se in New York City, where he managed a 1500-selection award-winning wine list and consulted regularly with Chef Keller on menu and pairing development. Winemaking had always been a dream of his and came to fruition in 2007 when he founded Mouton Noir Wines. Throughout his career, Mack has forged special relationships with star growers and winemakers from Oregon and it is with this luminary group that he is currently making his most exciting wines. Mouton Noir wines are served at the best restaurants across the United States. He recently began curating wines for Club W, a wine club for a new generation of drinkers, to continue his mission of making wine more accessible.
Based on the success of his own wine labels, in 2011 Mack established Get Fraiche Cru, a boutique graphic design firm, for which he serves as creative director. He has worked with clients such as Joel Gott, Palm Bay Imports, and Charles & Charles.
Mack has been married since 2008 to author Phoebe Damrosch, whose New York Times notable book, Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter, detailed their courtship and collaboration in opening Per Se restaurant.
Mack has been featured in major publication such as Food and Wine, Wine & Spirits Magazine, New York Times, The Huffington Post, and Wall Street Journal. Mr. Mack has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to business. He was honored in 2007 with The Network Journal’s 40-Under-Forty Achievement Award. Mack is an ardent wine educator who has been invited to host seminars as well as lead panel discussions at several of the country’s most prestigious food and wine gatherings including Aspen Food and Wine and Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival.
Learn all about his fantastic wines here: Wines — Maison Noir Wines
My personal favorite: Other People’s Pinot Gris, a rich and elegant white wine that is an explosion of flavor in the mouth.
Winemaker’s Notes:
The 2021 vintage we experienced a longer growing season due to the cool weather in autumn which produced complex wines with refined acidity! We would like to introduce our best take yet on Pinot Noirs favorite mutation: The 2021 Other People’s Pinot Gris is like Juggling Apples, Pears and Peaches while dancing to Pharell’s “Happy” – enthralling, upbeat, fresh and deluxe.
