“Do the Work.” It was a phrase that rose to prominence in 2020, as many industries looked at how diverse and inclusive they were and saw the need to diversify themselves and become more inclusive. These organizations are just a sample of all the groups working to support BIPOC wine professionals and increase diversity in wine. Some began as a result of 2020, others started...

When you search “drinking wine” this is what pops up first. I’d bet it’s also the image most people think of when it comes to wine: two women, lighter complexion, in nice clothes, pinky out.  But that is not the true image of wine. Wine is for men, BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, and many other communities that are passionately dedicated wine drinkers.  This is part...

When Chris Gaither passed the notoriously rigorous Master Sommelier exam earlier this year, the media was quick to emphasize the fact that he was only the fourth Black Master Sommelier in Court of Master Sommeliers history. But for Gaither and Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) Diversity Committee Chair Vincent Morrow, the color of their skin isn’t the whole story. Both Gaither and Morrow highlighted the...

“I’m Winston Wolf, I solve problems” If you know Jermaine Stone, aka The Wolf of Wine, this quote from the hit film Pulp Fiction makes so much sense. Jermaine is a native of the Bronx, New York the birthplace of hip-hop which played a major part in his life. From there, he got a job at Zachy’s Auction House to pay for school. He made...

Just ahead of the wine world descending into Capetown for Cape Wine 2022, South African winemaker Ntsiki Biyela traveled across the United States to promote her collection of Aslina Wines to deepen her stateside relationships with wine consumers and professionals alike. Through a national tasting tour, she visited different cities from east to west and everywhere in between including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Virginia,...

Early in August, writers, editors, marketers, and more came together for the 2022 Wine Writers Symposium (WWS). Founded by Meadowood Napa Valley and the Napa Valley Vintners, the three-day event explores several themes related to contemporary wine writing and attracts wine book authors, editors, wine magazine writers, and critics.  One theme that shined throughout the symposium was the importance of representation in wine and the...

.“I wanted to be a particular person that I saw in a restaurant. Dapper, Italian-cut suit, pointed-toe shoes, wonderful black serviette draped over his forearm, bottle held high. I told myself, ‘I can be him, I have to be him, I will be him.’” These words come from D’Lynn Proctor in the hit documentary SOMM, which follows four Master Sommelier candidates, including Proctor, through the...