We Make Wine INCLUSIVE!
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"The Association of African American Vintners was founded in 2002 by three vintners: Dr. Ernie Bates (formerly Black Coyote), Vance Sharp (formerly Sharp Cellars), and me. It was the first organization to create a network of African American winemakers and foster a culture of inclusion and cooperation among people of color in the wine industry. Over the years, I’ve witnessed and supported the growth and expansion of Black-owned wineries and brands across the United States and South Africa. Now, we look toward the future." Mac McDonald Founder & Chairman, Association of African American Vintners Winemaker & Owner, Vision Cellars |
African American Vintners Impact and a Powerful Word for the Future
"The AAAV was founded to raise awareness that Black winemakers and Black wine drinkers exist and to alert young minorities that winemaking and its attendant jobs could be a viable career path." - Dottie & John Gaiter, The Grape Collective
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The Association of African American Vintners continues to make great strides toward our ultimate goal of achieving diversity within the wine industry.
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Bell, Monique. (2021). Terroir Noir: 2020 Study of Black Wine Entrepreneurs. (https://www.moniquebell.com/wine)
VIDEO REPLAY: Watch the 2022 AAAV Symposium + Awards Ceremony
In case you missed our in-person 20th Anniversary Celebration Weekend, here's your chance to watch the video replay to gain knowledge shared and connect with the AAAV member community. As the official media sponsor, Wine Enthusiast partnered with the Association of African American Vintners to virtually host the 2022 AAAV Symposium and inaugural AAAV Awards Ceremony. Delve deep into the efforts being made for diversity and inclusion in the wine industry, and get a glimpse of the challenges and resilience of Black winemakers and other industry professionals creating pathways to success. Explore ways to meet the financial challenges of starting a wine business, options for distribution and tips for developing a brand through media and marketing, then meet a panel of women championing diversity in the wine industry. The video playback includes:
- Session I: Funding Your Wine Business (Financing + Distribution)
- Phenomenal Women in Wine: Challenges, Successes, and the Future of Wine
- Session II: Telling Your Story Through Wine Marketing + Media
- Inaugural AAAV Awards Ceremony + Meet the founder Mac McDonald
The organization celebrated 20 years during the 2022 AAAV Symposium
"The Association of African American Vintners’ (AAAV) 20th Anniversary Weekend was a wonder to behold. It was chock-full of activities, workshops and celebrations that were held in Napa Valley, Santa Rosa and Oakland during the three-day affair, May 20-22." - Elaine Lee, Detour
Over the course of three days, the Association of African American Vintners hosted 200+ attendees through our 20th Anniversary Celebration Weekend Symposium, inaugural awards ceremony honoring three AAAV members, and the Black Vintners Wine Festival. Celebrating two decades of advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the wine industry was the focus for the weekend of events where we honored the founders Mac McDonald, Ernest Bates, and Vance Sharp. We kicked the weekend off with professional development sessions and a luncheon celebrating Phenomenal Women in Wine hosted by Bronco Wine Company in Napa. Through our fundraiser and awards ceremony at DeLoach Vineyards in Santa Rosa, we recognized Theodora Lee, Monique Bell, and Fern Stroud for exemplifying the organization’s goals of supporting education, legacy and unity.
Through the Black Vintners Wine Festival hosted at Kissel Uptown Oakland, we were ecstatic to connect AAAV members, wine lovers, students and industry professionals from across the United States. Attendees had an opportunity to network and learn more about our Black-owned wine brand members of all sizes from across the country.
Over the course of three days, the Association of African American Vintners hosted 200+ attendees through our 20th Anniversary Celebration Weekend Symposium, inaugural awards ceremony honoring three AAAV members, and the Black Vintners Wine Festival. Celebrating two decades of advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the wine industry was the focus for the weekend of events where we honored the founders Mac McDonald, Ernest Bates, and Vance Sharp. We kicked the weekend off with professional development sessions and a luncheon celebrating Phenomenal Women in Wine hosted by Bronco Wine Company in Napa. Through our fundraiser and awards ceremony at DeLoach Vineyards in Santa Rosa, we recognized Theodora Lee, Monique Bell, and Fern Stroud for exemplifying the organization’s goals of supporting education, legacy and unity.
Through the Black Vintners Wine Festival hosted at Kissel Uptown Oakland, we were ecstatic to connect AAAV members, wine lovers, students and industry professionals from across the United States. Attendees had an opportunity to network and learn more about our Black-owned wine brand members of all sizes from across the country.
Association of African American Vintners honors three trailblazers
The Association of African American Vintners, Dr. Monique Bell said, has been invaluable to her. “Members supported me every step of the way with my research,” she said. “They shared their personal stories and connected me with so many others who shared their stories. The membership is incredibly talented, kind and resilient and inspires me to continue on.”
“As a Black woman vineyard owner and wine producer, I face a double-edged sword,” Theodora Lee said. “I not only face the problem of systemic racism but the belittling fist that sexism and misogyny have wrapped around my throat. So, I really don’t know if my challenges in this industry are based on sexism or racism.”
“We feel so strongly about what we do,” Fern Stroud said. “What we do is not transactional. It’s relationship building and it’s so important. It’s about community and pushing Black people to the next level.”
- Peg Melnik, The Press Democrat
“As a Black woman vineyard owner and wine producer, I face a double-edged sword,” Theodora Lee said. “I not only face the problem of systemic racism but the belittling fist that sexism and misogyny have wrapped around my throat. So, I really don’t know if my challenges in this industry are based on sexism or racism.”
“We feel so strongly about what we do,” Fern Stroud said. “What we do is not transactional. It’s relationship building and it’s so important. It’s about community and pushing Black people to the next level.”
- Peg Melnik, The Press Democrat
THANK YOU TO OUR
2022 AAAV SYMPOSIUM SPONSORS
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