It’s been almost five years since “Sober Somm” Abe Zarate quit drinking alcohol, in August of 2020. Sobriety is an unconventional choice. The central focus of the job of sommelier is to specialize in all aspects of wine service, pairing, and education. Yet, Abe Zarate continues to educate, connect the community, and deliver fresh nuance and inspiration about the very beverage from which he abstains....

In 2023, Naked Wines launched the Montoya Opportunity Fund. This initiative awarded grants to four outstanding Latin-American winemakers: Sam Parra, Nancy Ulloa, Chris Rivera of Seis Soles, and Brittany Banda. These recipients represent a new wave of innovation and cultural authenticity in the American wine scene. Funding like this is crucial for upholding a centuries-old Latino tradition: entrepreneurship.  By the Numbers Despite heavy reliance on...

In 2020, small minority-owned businesses and employment flourished under DEI initiatives by major wine industry players like Constellation Brands and The Napa Valley Vintners trade group. However, amid an ailing economy and pushback from conservative groups in less than one election cycle, DEI initiatives are closing even faster than they were created. ‘“I’ve seen companies who created DEI departments three years ago close them altogether,” says Ikimi...

Wine on Wheels has become one of the most anticipated wine community events since its inception in 2012 at Le Du’s’ Wines. The event was created by serial entrepreneur Yannick Benjamin as a way to raise money for Wheeling Forward, a non-profit dedicated to helping people with disabilities achieve their social, professional and health goals. It also provides a platform for sommeliers, restaurateurs and retailers...

As a born and raised New Yorker, outings to Central Park are typically the culmination of my nature adventures. But in just four days of the 2024 Wine Writers’ Symposium, program organizers Sarah Bray, Kelli White, Teresa Wall, Maryam Ahmed, and Brett Van Emst worked tirelessly to transport me from my comfort zone. I landed in a healing and transformative experience involving wine and nature....

The past few years have been fraught with climate change, political battles, a global pandemic and an uncertain economy. Wine has endured war, disease, politics, and more. In the end, the industry always comes back stronger, better, and bigger. Even when travel was impossible, a good bottle of wine with an even better story allows you to travel from your couch to a place you’ve...

On May 25,  2020, the world was quiet enough to hear the screams of racial injustice through the tragic death of George Floyd. Protesters took to the streets, and the wine industry sought black-owned businesses to support. Just weeks later, Jeff Jenssen and Mike DeSimone would pose a long overdue challenge to wine industry professionals in a Forbes article, Does The Wine Industry Have A...

Is the variety you love to hate inferior or just misunderstood? Let’s unpack what’s in the wine glass and turn this grape story from bitter to sweet.  Don't hate the grape. Chardonnay Chardonnay has a bad rap. People claim to hate the grape because of the oaky, buttery wines that were once so popular in California. But that style, nicknamed “cougar juice,” a slightly pejorative...

Few things unite the world like wine. It transcends language, geography, and cultural differences. And when it can make a positive impact on society, it’s just perfect. The three following wineries are on a mission to ensure that when you drink well, you’re also doing good.  One Hope Winery One Hope Winery, located in Napa Valley, embodies universal love. It is a for-profit winery with...