From Nigerian Roots to United States Vines: A Global Dream Uncorked
In a landmark achievement for both the American wine industry and the global African diaspora, Ifeoma Clyopatra Onyia has established Clyopatra Winery & Vineyard, officially recognized as the first African immigrant-owned winery and vineyard in the United States. Located in Prince George’s County, Laurel, Maryland, Onyia’s endeavor is a cultural beacon and a testament to the resilience and ambition of Nigerian entrepreneurship.
Born in Udi, Enugu State, Nigeria, Onyia’s path to viticulture was defined by a multifaceted career spanning healthcare and high fashion. She successfully built and managed a nursing home care company and established Clyopatra Couture, a fashion brand known for blending elegance with cultural pride. Yet, the lifelong dream of crafting wine, inspired by memories of her father and travels through Italy and France, always simmered beneath the surface.
Turning Tragedy into Triumph: The Vow to Maintain a Dream
Onyia’s pivot to winemaking was deeply personal, driven by a desire to honor the memory of her late brothers. The loss of three siblings within a few years, including one who shared her vineyard aspirations, solidified her resolve. “I was going to maintain that dream; I was going to do what we had set out to do,” she stated, transforming grief into generative action.
In May 2023, after extensive consultations with scientists and growing experts, Onyia took the pivotal step of planting her first grape vines on her property on Brooklyn Bridge Road. This hands-on commitment, where she embraced the satisfaction of playing in the dirt, underscores her dedication. “The fulfillment, the joy you get at the completion and looking at it. That’s the most fulfilling thing that you can see.”
Ifeoma Clyopatra Onyia
Challenging the Status Quo: A Voice of Confidence and Inclusion
Onyia’s journey has not been without pushback, particularly as she navigated an industry where she is a clear pioneer. She openly shared the resistance she faced: “Being the first person doing a lot of things, you get a lot of pushback. You get a lot of, ‘Are you sure you know what you’re doing? Do you think you can succeed?’”
Her response to critics who questioned her market—”So who are you going to sell your wine to?”—was a concise and powerful statement on inclusion: “The same people you sell your wine to.” This confidence is rooted in her Nigerian upbringing, where her father instilled in her and her seven siblings a sense of boundless possibility: “I was lucky to have grown up in a family where my dad said, ‘What your brothers can do, you can do it, too.’” This foundational belief in overcoming obstacles has become the cornerstone of her success.
A Toast to Heritage: The Cultural Tasting Experience
While the 1,500 newly planted vines of Chambourcin, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and the Russian varietal SK77 mature (a multi-year process), Clyopatra Winery is sourcing grapes from Maryland’s Eastern Shore to produce its initial vintages.
The soft opening of the temporary tasting room on October 1st was strategically meaningful, coinciding with Nigeria’s Independence Day, a powerful nod to her heritage. The grand opening on October 14th welcomed wine lovers to sample her curated selection.
Beyond the classic varietals, Onyia is creating a truly unique culinary experience by pairing her wines with authentic African dishes. She plans to serve pairings with traditional chicken and goat curry, Nigerian jollof rice, and the simple, delectable pleasure of Agege bread with butter. “Put some butter on it. Have a glass of wine, let’s say like a Cab Sauv, and you’re eating that — it’s really good,” she described, creating a fusion that celebrates both Maryland’s wine landscape and the rich flavors of West Africa.
Clyopatra Winery, situated in Prince George’s County, is rapidly becoming a cultural and economic landmark, underscoring Ifeoma Onyia’s legacy as an inspiring force for innovation, community, and the persistent power of the Nigerian dream in America.
