Creating Crosby Roamann Winery, One Barrel at a Time

Crosby Roamann Winery unfolds as the shared journey of its vintners, Julianna and Sean McBride, to achieve balance. The story takes a compelling turn as both, having originally pursued corporate careers, shifted their focus to the world of winemaking. Sean’s transition from being a lawyer and Julianna’s shift from publishing set the stage for their joint venture into winemaking. This couple combined their professional experiences and passion to establish the winery.

The Beginning

Although the McBride’s did not initially embark on their professional paths in winemaking, their mutual passion for food, wine, and family thrived, particularly after a pivotal trip to wine country in 2000. Sean cherishes memories of his grandfather’s fondness for Franzia wines, where the rosé was treated as red, and a white version was also present. Sean actively participated in preparing dinners featuring hard salami, hard cheese, and a baguette. Pouring the wine into juice glasses, he would join in tasting before serving it to his grandfather, who had embraced the European way during World War II.

During his college years, Sean’s passion for wine further developed while working as a stock boy at a wine and cheese store in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The store’s owner fueled his interest, introducing him to French and Italian wines like Montepulciano and Chianti. Julianna, raised in a small town near Chicago, gained insights into the importance of hospitality during summers spent with her Hungarian family in Budapest. Her year abroad in Bologna, Italy during