Skip to content
Search
Cuisine Noir Magazine
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • CN Review
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • Events
  • More
    • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
    • Black Wineries
    • Videos
    • Donate
Cuisine Noir Magazine
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • CN Review
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
  • Events
  • Black Wineries
  • Videos
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate
Search
Cuisine Noir Magazine
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • CN Review
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • Events
  • More
    • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
    • Black Wineries
    • Videos
    • Donate
Cuisine Noir Magazine
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • CN Review
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
  • Events
  • Black Wineries
  • Videos
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate

Paula Harrell: A Winemaker’s Tribute to Family

Winemaker Paula Harrell, P Harrell Wines
Pictured: Paula Harrell | Photo credit: V. Sheree Williams
September 19, 2018
V. Sheree Williams
Share this article
  1    
1
Share

For Oakland-based winemaker, Paula Harrell, there is no rushing a dream that has been placed in your heart. The founder and owner of P. Harrell Wines is taking her time and doing things her way as she introduces wine lovers to her portfolio one glass at a time. Harrell’s journey into becoming a winemaker is as unique as every other winemaker who turned a passion into a successful business.

Born and raised in San Francisco, California, Harrell grew up the daughter of an immigrant mother from Panama and father from Oklahoma.  Her parents built and owned a series of elderly care facilities and other properties throughout the city which also helped to host and employ families coming from Panama looking to build a better life.

“It was just like this big melting pot of family and extended family that was always around and it was a very supportive situation and I watched people’s families grow as a result of my parents bringing everybody here,” says Harrell.  Those memories would later play a role in her now growing wine business.

Family and the Beginning of a Wine Journey

Her first introduction into wine would take place while studying abroad as a college exchange student in Spain.  A roommate’s boyfriend came to visit and wanted to introduce a few of them studying together to wine.  Little did he know, he not only did that but also planted a seed that would lead Harrell on her own wine exploration.


With Napa Valley just a stone’s throw away from San Francisco, Harrell decided to spend time getting to know more about wine, the grapes and the process.  She eventually purchased a timeshare there and began working events at different wineries and spending a lot of time with winemakers.

As her affinity for wine grew, so did her desire to share what she knew with others but wasn’t quite sure what that looked like outside of going wine tasting with family and friends and sharing over the dining table.

For family gatherings, she became the go-to person for selecting wine and it was one particular dinner and selection that sparked it all. “There were two of them, a zinfandel and a petite sirah and I thought these would be better together and I blended them,” says Harrell recalling the time when she was choosing between two bottles of wine for a family dinner.

Subsequently, the blend was a hit with her uncle saying, “You know this is a pretty good blend and I don’t know how you figured this out, but this is a pretty good blend. But might I suggest you make your own wine and stop blending other people’s wine.” Harrell says, “And when he said that to me, a lightbulb went off and I said oh my God, that’s what I will do.”

Although her uncle later said he was just joking, Harrell was not. Over the next five years, she went back and talked to all of the winemakers and people she knew in the industry who shared advice and resources so that she could map out the best way for her to enter into the industry.

Eventually, her research and planning paid off with the introduction of P. Harrell Wines in November 2015.

  • Bee d’Vine Wines Gives Oenophiles New Honey Wine VarietalsAyela Solomon of Bee D'Vine
  • Tonya Renée Banks’ Search for the Perfect Grape

A self-proclaimed red wine lover, one of her two portfolio offerings includes a zinfandel that is described as full-bodied and fruit-driven with layers of vanilla, cinnamon and clove with a hint of white pepper.  It is named THREE FIFTEEN after the family home she grew up in at 315 Santa Ana Street in San Francisco.

Winemaker Paula Harrell holding bottles of her wine
Pictured: Paula Harrell | Photo credit: V. Sheree Williams

Her reisling has been described as a “white wine for red wine drinkers” as she says it is not on the sweet side. A bouquet of peach blossom, passion fruit on the nose and a palate of full citrus fruit is how it is described on the tasting notes.

Harrell named it Haight Street in homage of her father and grandmother who built their family property at 940 Haight Street in San Francisco from the ground up in 1969. The property was the cornerstone of their business.

This month, Harrell is releasing a third offering, a rosé.  With rosés having their moment in the industry right now, Harrell's takes a different spin blending zinfandel, petite sirah and grenache together for her first vintage that has body and lots of color with ripe strawberry and raspberry and a hint of earthiness.

She currently distributes directly to consumer through events, her wine club and online purchases shipped to select states.  Oakland residents and visitors can also stop by a handful of restaurants in the area pouring a glass. Harrell hopes in the near future to have store options nearby where you can pick up a bottle after having the wine at a restaurant.

For a list of upcoming events where Harrell will be pouring, visit her website at www.pharrellwines.com and also sign up for her newsletter.  You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram for more updates and future releases.

logo
Food Advertisements by

  • Blueberry Recipes for summer
    under Food & DrinkBush to Kitchen: Blueberry Recipes To Try This Summer
  • Celebrity chef and The Great Soul Food Cook-Off Champion Razia Sabour
    under Black Chefs, Food & DrinkCelebrity Chef Razia Sabour Honors Soul Food’s History with Competition Win
  • Derrick Green of Waffles and Whatnot
    under Black Chefs, Food & DrinkAlaska’s Derrick Green Expands Waffles and Whatnot With Well-Being in Mind
  • Patrice Cunningham, Chef & Owner of Tae-Gu Kimchi
    under Black Chefs, Food & DrinkChef Patrice Cunningham’s Tae-Gu Kimchi Offers a Fresh Take on a Korean Tradition
logo
Food Advertisements by
Share this article
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
V. Sheree Williams

Sheree has been penning stories since the fifth grade. Her stories took a delicious and adventurous turn as an adult when she became a foodie.

Related Articles

Loading...
Chef and author Roberta Cooper Brown - African cuisine
Black Chefs Food & Drink

African Cuisine Made Mainstream: Roberta Brown Cooper’s Sumptuous Culinary Journey Across Regions

Food & Drink

Ciara and Rice Krispies Treats Partner for Summertime Song and Music Video

Chef and author Zoe Adjonyoh
Black Chefs Featured Food & Drink West African Foods

Coming to America Revitalizes Chef Zoe Adjonyoh’s Mission to Decolonize the Food World

Be the first to know about the latest online, industry updates, world news, events and promotions that connect the African diaspora through food, drink and travel.

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising
    Menu
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising

    #IAmCuisineNoir

    This site participates in affiliate programs. See our full disclosure for more information.

    © 2022 The Global Food and Drink Initiative d/b/a Cuisine Noir Magazine. Privacy
    Site by ACS Digital

    Any unauthorized duplication, download or reprint of images or content from this website for promotional or commercial use is strictly prohibited without written permission from The Global Food and Drink Initiative. Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Trademark pending.

    YES!  We’re excited you are signing up too!  

    Get ready to receive our weekly newsletter about:

    • New articles online
    • World news and industry happenings throughout the African Diaspora
    • Mouthwatering recipes
    • Promotions and giveaways

    Right in your inbox!