Women in Wine Celebration Dinner 2022

​Women have been methodically excluded from power in the wine industry. Even more so, Black women. However, tenacious Black women have been making their mark on the story of wine since the mid-nineties. Very little advancements in equity and inclusion have been made, and there is still much work to be done. Per the American Association of Wine Economists, wineries independently owned by women make up only 5% in California and Oregon and only 3% in Washington State. The numbers are less than .01% for Black women.

Urban Connoisseurs primary focus is vineyard and/or winery ownership. As slaves, Black Americans didn’t own land. They weren’t allowed to say what was planted, when it was planted, and when it was harvested. After emancipation, the quest for land ownership was wrought with violence, death, and stolen land. In some states, Black Americans were prohibited from land ownership.

Urban Connoisseurs honors some of these strong-willed Black women winemakers who succeeded despite the history, obstacles, and challenges, and designed a path forward that will encourage other Black women to follow. They now reap the benefits of the land they till!

Welcome to Women in Wine Celebration 2022!

For the first time ever, the Women in Wine Celebration Dinner will be in Seattle, WA, April 3, 2022.

The celebration and dinner provides guests the opportunity to celebrate diversity in the wine industry and meet some amazing women winemakers. Guests can attend the VIP Reception that also includes the dinner. The VIP Reception gives the guests the experience to taste additional wines (not included in the dinner), as well as a "Meet the Winemaker" experience. This year, it's all about the women. That includes our chefs. Bringing together a Verdon lineage, Louisiana heritage, and Jamaican heritage, with the spice of Italy, our guests will have a once in a lifetime wine and cuisine experience!

​Click on the button below to register to attend the VIP Reception and Dinner, or the Dinner.