Smash the Patriarchy One Glass at a Time

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting real tired of being told what I can and can’t do with my own body. Remember when the World Health Organization suggested that women of “child-bearing age” shouldn’t drink alcohol at all? Just a casual reminder that some people still see us as walking wombs. Luckily, Cosmopolitan did a great job dragging them for it.

So if you’re in the mood to ignore outdated, sexist nonsense and sip something made by people who actually respect women, I’ve got just the wine list for you. Pop a cork, pour yourself a glass, and let’s raise a toast to tearing down the patriarchy one bottle at a time.

Verada Wines

Let’s start with Verada because they sent me a couple bottles to try and honestly? They slap. The Chardonnay hits that perfect balance of fruit and minerality with just a whisper of buttery popcorn. Think less microwave butter bomb and more “I can drink this while yelling about wage gaps.” Verada is made by Alison Crowe, a badass winemaker with a degree in Enology from UC Davis. Pair this one with some glitter glue and cardboard while making your next protest sign.

McBride Sisters Collection

You already know the McBride Sisters had to make the list. Black-owned. Women-owned. Women-led. They are a force and their wine is fire. You can find them practically everywhere—Target, Safeway, BevMo, maybe even your local corner store. Whether you’re grabbing a bottle from their Black Girl Magic line or cracking open a can of She Can, just know you’re drinking something that’s actively changing the wine industry for the better.

Flowers

Yes, I worked there during harvest, and yes, I’m biased, but Flowers deserves a spot on this list. Originally founded by Joan and Walt Flowers, the winery continues to thrive under the guidance of Chantal, a brilliant winemaker who crafts some of the most beautiful Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays I’ve ever tasted. These are elegant, thoughtful wines—perfect for sipping while imagining a world where we actually have a woman president. You can snag a bottle from their site or check Total Wine for their estate offerings.

Camins 2 Dreams

This small, Santa Barbara County winery is co-owned by two women, Mireia Taribó and Tara Gomez. Mireia is from Spain and Tara is the first Native American woman winemaker in the U.S. They focus on natural winemaking and sustainability, and their wines are just as thoughtful as their mission. Sip on one of their Syrahs or Albariños while reading up on land rights or Indigenous food sovereignty. Just a suggestion.

Stuyvesant Champagne

Let’s throw some bubbles into the mix. Marvina Robinson founded Stuyvesant Champagne to bring more diversity to a space that’s usually dominated by old money and even older mindsets. She’s one of the few Black women to own a Champagne brand, and she’s doing it her way. Pop one of these bottles when we make it through another election season with our sanity (somewhat) intact.

If you’re looking for a wine to sip while taking down toxic systems, or just need something empowering in your glass after a long day of microaggressions and headlines, these bottles have your back. Feminist wine tastes better anyway.