Sometimes all you need is a delicious glass of wine when life is life-ing. By “life-ing,” I’m referring to when the balancing act of all the titles you possess becomes literally unbearable. Well my name is Rashawnda Joiner I am a registered nurse, black-women winemaker, and the owner of MD Wine Collection. MD Wine was created out of legacy, love, and a powerful mission to inspire health awareness through storytelling and community.

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MD handcrafted wine brand is a tribute to two extraordinary women: My grandmothers, Marjorie Daniels and Deborah Wooten. Marjorie passed away due to complications from Diabetes, and Deborah continues to battle Huntington’s Disease. What is HD?  HD is a hereditary, brain disorder that affects the 3 M’s: mind, mood, and movement. In 2021, I tested positive for the Huntington’s gene,which was a life-altering diagnosis that has changed the course of my life. I transformed my grief into purpose by taking my love for wine and making it a business. In the beginning stages, I traveled to Chicago to learn the basics of wine making. I became Wine and Spirit certified, applied for a LLC/EIN, bought the basic equipment required, converted my garage into a winery, and provided sample size bottles for people to taste.

Each flavor is more than a bold, sweet tasting  beverage—it’s a platform for awareness. The name, the logo, and the signature flavors like Marjorie Moscato and Deborah Dragonberry are crafted to honor loved ones, spark conversation, and break stigmas associated with chronic conditions such as Huntington’s Disease. The MD logo symbolizes this purpose: the blue circle represents Diabetes awareness, while the blue ribbon represents Huntington’s Disease awareness.

 

Unlike other wine brands, with every pour, MD Wine invites you into a safe space to sip, share your story, and celebrate resilience. I believe with the guidance of my SCORE , business, and my passion mentor that MD wine will do more than just bring people together—it will educate, empower, and uplift. This is wine with a purpose and I am living proof that “sip happens, just wine your way through it.”