Sommly's List of Inclusive Wine Industry Organizations
In celebration of the annual federal holiday Juneteenth, or the Day of Freedom, Sommly has gathered up a handful of organizations that focus on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the wine industry. We encourage you to check out our list and donate to one (or more!) organizations that resonates with your own beliefs.
1. The Roots Fund
The leading mission behind this non-profit is dedicated to enriching and educating those in color that live and work in the the wine industry. According to their website, this non-profit is dedicated to providing Black and Brown scholars interested in the wine industry by way of financial support, educational scholarships, wine education, mentorship, and job placement.
2. Association of African American Vintners
AAAV was founded in 2002 is formed and focused on the following pillars:
a) Increase the quality of wine communications to all, and to grow awareness of the Association of African American Vintners.
b) Fostering a spirit of cooperation among all growers, wineries and industry groups.
c) Develop a sense of community among members of the organization through friendly and informal networking and social functions.
d) Increase awareness of diversity in our industry to all wine consumers through public pouring events showcasing AAAV member wines.
e) Facilitate access to relevant viticulture, enological and related information through voluntary sharing among members.
3. Wine Unify
The organization is focused on the major role education has in progressing in any pathway of life, especially the wine industry. Made up of a diverse group of leaders in the wine industry, these voices are used to welcome, elevate, and amplify other underrepresented voices in the wine industry.
4. Lift Collective
In a simple statement, The Lift Collective encompasses the advocation for equity and inclusion in the wine industry. Specifically, the culture of their mission is committed to:
Widening the aperture of intersectionality; Provoking thought and creating dialogue, both on and offline; Upholding a commitment to doing the work before execution; Checking titles, designations, and egos at the door; Lifting our glasses, standards, and awareness, collectively
5. Diversity in Wine and Spirits
Diversity in Wine and Spirits wants to transform the hospitality community to everyone through providing scholarships and grants, resources geared towards leadership and professional development, as well as consulting services for businesses. They are continuing to build a revolutionary program that will set the industry standard for policies, practices, accountability, transparency and tracking & reporting for global diversity initiatives.
6. Black Wine Professionals
Julia Coney, a Washington and Texas-based wine team leader who founded the organization is a specialist on the story, intersectionality, and language around wine. The organization’s initiative came from the overlooked the work and faces of Black wine professionals, and therefore decided to create a program to lift up the multifaceted Black professionals in the world of wine and provide resources to those in food and beverage community.
7. The Hue Society
The Hue Society is a community-based organization with a mission focused on inclusion and education of all things related to Black, Brown, and Indigenous wine culture on the path toward reshaping the wine industry. Consumers and brands are encouraged to partake in enriching cultural wine experiences, whereas active members are provided even more opportunities to enrich their wine knowledge and gain a direct connection to influential professionals reshaping the industry.
Keep in mind this is not a fully comprehensive list of all of the organizations focused on DEI in the wine industry. Please leave a comment below of any other programs and organizations that are worth sharing! Cheers!
