Brodie’s Love: Savoring Resilience
By Keenan Goldsmith, General Manager
At Dakar NOLA, we are drawn to stories that blend artistry, resilience, and a deep sense of place. The wines we pour are more than pairings; they are extensions of the spirit that shapes this city. Few bottles embody that spirit more beautifully than Brodie’s Love, a label that tells a story of courage, creativity, and a woman who turned hardship into heritage.
A Story Rooted in Resilience
Brodie’s Love began in 2013 as a shared experiment between Adilah Brodie and her then husband Darryl, a meeting of flavors as unexpected as it was inspired. Adilah loved crafting healthy sweets while Darryl preferred spirits. Together, they found a middle ground where cupcakes met cognac, and the idea for Brodie’s Love was born.
As Adilah’s story unfolded, it became about far more than indulgence. It became a lesson in reinvention.
In late 2019, with support from the Mayor of New Orleans and the city’s Business Economic Development team, Brodie’s Love secured a new home, a milestone that marked years of persistence and vision. A few months later, the pandemic arrived, halting progress and testing every ounce of strength she had. Adilah battled COVID twice, enduring a long recovery that required her to relearn how to walk. Yet even in stillness, her vision moved forward.
Supported by her community, her faith, and her daughter, Creative Director Folasade La’Nae Brodie, Adilah began rebuilding. In 2021, her perseverance caught international attention when a Chilean vineyard reached out with a partnership opportunity that would change everything. That collaboration made Adilah the first Black female Chilean wine owner in the United States, a historic first that honored both her roots and her resilience.
From her rehabilitation center in Georgia, she worked with her winemaker, production team, and Folasade to craft wines that embodied excellence, purpose, and joy. When the first pallet arrived, it sold out almost immediately.
A Return Home and a New Chapter
By 2022, Adilah was back in New Orleans, ready to build on what she had started. Brodie’s Love began earning national certifications including ByBlack, Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DOTD), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Airport and Seaport Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ASDBE), the LED Hudson Initiative, and Women Owned Small Business, each one a brick in the foundation of a legacy brand.
Then, in 2024, Brodie’s Love was selected from over 1,400 businesses to join the NFL Super Bowl SOURCE Program, earning a spot in the official supplier directory for all 32 NFL teams. It was during one of these Super Bowl events that Adilah met Effie Richardson of Dakar NOLA, an introduction that would lead to an inspired collaboration built on shared culture, artistry, and storytelling.
A Collaboration with Dakar NOLA
At Dakar, wine is more than a pairing; it is a dialogue between place and palate. When our sommelier, Imani Pittman, first tasted the Brodie’s Love Carménère Reserva 2020 from Colchagua Valley, Chile, he recognized something remarkable. The wine carried a quiet intensity with soft tannins, dark fruit, and a grounding earthiness that mirrored the soulful layers of Chef Serigne Mbaye’s cuisine.
The Carménère Reserva, available exclusively at Dakar NOLA, now holds a permanent place on our wine list. It is a wine that honors both continents, the depth of Chilean soil and the rhythm of New Orleans, the determination of a Black woman entrepreneur, and the creative spirit that defines this city. Imani describes the pairing as a meeting of stories. Each pour connects Brodie’s journey with the culinary narrative on the plate, both shaped by heritage, perseverance, and joy.
Tasting Notes
The Brodie’s Love Carménère Reserva 2020 greets the senses with aromas of ripe black cherries, dark plums, and a subtle hint of spice. On the palate, soft tannins and balanced acidity provide structure while flavors of cassis, cocoa, and earthy undertones unfold slowly, revealing depth and elegance. It pairs beautifully with rich, savory dishes, grilled meats, and seasonal vegetables, enhancing the flavors without overwhelming them. Each sip carries a sense of story and purpose, a reflection of the resilience and vision behind Brodie’s Love.
Celebrating a Shared Vision
Brodie’s Love is more than a wine; it is a story of courage, community, and creativity. At Dakar NOLA, we are proud to pour a wine that honors Adilah Brodie’s journey and the shared spirit of artistry that connects our tables. This collaboration celebrates the power of perseverance, the joy of storytelling, and the beauty of bringing people together over wine and cuisine.
Learn more about Brodie’s Love here.