You’ve seen her dominate the screen for decades. From the fierce tenacity of Watchmen to the heartbreaking grace of If Beale Street Could Talk, Regina King is a powerhouse. But lately, she’s been making waves in a completely different arena—the wine cellar. Specifically, she's championing a style of wine that still confuses about half the people who see it on a menu: orange wine.
It isn’t made from oranges. Let’s get that out of the way first.
Honestly, the story of Regina King orange wine isn't just about a celebrity putting their name on a label for a quick paycheck. It’s actually one of the most personal, gut-wrenching, and ultimately beautiful tributes I've seen in the beverage world. It’s called MianU, and it’s a direct conversation with her late son, Ian Alexander Jr.
What Most People Get Wrong About MianU
Most celebrity brands feel like they were born in a boardroom. You know the vibe—sleek marketing, high price point, and a founder who probably couldn't tell you the difference between a cork and a screw cap. MianU is the opposite.
Regina King launched this label in August 2025 as a tribute to Ian, who passed away in 2022. Ian was actually the one who first introduced her to orange wine. He had a thing for the "unconventional," for things that were bold and didn't quite fit into a neat little box. Orange wine—which is basically white wine made with the skin-contact methods of red wine—is exactly that.
👉 See also: Finding the University of Arizona Address: It Is Not as Simple as You Think
It’s funky. It’s textured. It’s a little rebellious.
The name itself, MianU (pronounced "me-and-you"), hides Ian’s name right in the middle. It’s subtle, but once you see it, it’s all you see. Regina has often said that while she can no longer create physical memories with her son, she can create new traditions that keep his spirit in the room. Every time a bottle is opened, it’s a way to keep his name in the conversation.
The Liquid Inside the Bottle
If you’re looking to try the Regina King orange wine, you need to know what you’re getting into. This isn’t a light, breezy Pinot Grigio.
The first release was a 2024 vintage, a blend of 75% Gewürztraminer and 25% Chardonnay. The grapes come from Mendocino County—specifically McFadden Farm and Hawkeye Ranch. They don't mess around with the farming either; it’s organic and handled with "minimal intervention."
✨ Don't miss: The Recipe With Boiled Eggs That Actually Makes Breakfast Interesting Again
- The Hue: It’s a glowing, hazy amber.
- The Scent: Think dried apricots, honeysuckle, and a weirdly pleasant hit of white pepper.
- The Mouthfeel: Because the juice sits on the skins (the Gewürztraminer specifically), it has tannins. It’s grippy. It feels substantial in your mouth.
She didn't stop at just the orange wine, though. By late 2025, the label expanded to include a limited-edition MianU Syrah. It’s spicy, dark, and was released just in time for the 2025 holiday season. But the orange wine remains the "soul" of the brand because that was Ian’s favorite.
Why This Isn't Just "Another Celebrity Wine"
The wine world is currently flooded with "lifestyle brands." You've got everyone from Mary J. Blige to Cameron Diaz competing for shelf space. So, why does the Regina King orange wine matter?
It’s because of the "skin in the game." King isn't just a face; she’s deeply involved in the logistics, the sourcing, and the storytelling. She’s worked with winemakers to ensure the wine reflects Ian’s personality—unfiltered and bright.
Also, it’s actually good. Often, celebrity wines are over-manipulated to taste like "mass appeal." MianU keeps things a bit raw. It’s bottled unfined and unfiltered, with very low sulfur. It’s "natural-adjacent," which appeals to the younger, Gen Z and Millennial crowd that Ian belonged to.
🔗 Read more: Finding the Right Words: Quotes About Sons That Actually Mean Something
Finding and Drinking MianU
Here is the catch: it’s hard to find. The initial run of the orange wine was only 500 cases. It sold out almost immediately. The Syrah was even more exclusive, with only about 175 cases produced.
If you want a bottle, you basically have to stalk the official mianuwines.com website or find a niche natural wine shop in L.A. or New York that was lucky enough to snag a few cases. It usually retails for around $34, which is honestly a steal for a small-batch Mendocino orange wine.
How to Drink It
Don't drink it ice cold. If you pull it straight from a 40°F fridge, you’ll kill all those complex aromatics. Let it sit out for 15 minutes. It pairs amazingly with things that usually kill white wine—like spicy Thai food or a funky cheese plate.
Regina King has turned her grief into something tangible. It’s a bottle of wine that asks you to be present, to slow down, and to connect with the person sitting across from you. That was Ian’s thing. And now, thanks to MianU, it’s a bit of a legacy.
Next Steps for You:
If you're looking to grab a bottle of MianU, your best bet is to head over to the official website and sign up for their newsletter. They are expecting the next vintage of the orange wine to drop in summer 2026. In the meantime, look for other skin-contact wines from Mendocino to get your palate ready for the "funk" King is bringing to the table.