Providing comprehensive education, advocacy, and community support not only for Black vintners, but for all wine brands and industry professionals.
who we are
Association of African American Vintners
The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 2002 to provide a support network for African American vintners and wine industry professionals.
We are the first organization to foster a culture of inclusion and cooperation among people of color in the wine industry through education, advocacy and community.
who we are
Association of African American Vintners
The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 2002 to provide a support network for African American vintners and wine industry professionals.
We are the first organization to foster a culture of inclusion and cooperation among people of color in the wine industry through education, advocacy and community.
events
Reflecting on the AAAV Wine Symposium and Festival Weekend
During our biennial 2024 AAAV Wine Symposium, we honored Black wine entrepreneurs at CIA at Copia in Napa in early March. The sold-out industry day included compelling panel discussions and a luncheon keynote by Donae Burston of La Fête Wine Company and concluded with awards for Trailblazing, Innovation and Community Impact.
The award recipients include:
2024 Trailblazer Award – Iris Rideau, the first Black woman in America to own and operate a vineyard.
2024 Innovation Award – Christopher Renfro, a winemaker-activist, Chris uses hybrid and indigenous grapes to create transformative change in the wine industry.
2024 Community Impact Award – Leslie and Le Jones, founders of 1010 Wine & Events, the first and only wine bar in Inglewood, Calif.
As AAAV’s media sponsor, Wine Enthusiast will host recordings of the 2024 AAAV Symposium programming on WineEnthusiast.com. Links will be announced on AAAV’s social media channels in the coming weeks. AAAV’s 2024 Wine Symposium Weekend was sponsored by Total Wine Spirits Beer & More, Bronco Wine Company, CIA at Copia, H-E-B, GALLO and Wine Enthusiast.
events
Reflecting on the AAAV Wine Symposium and Festival Weekend
During our biennial 2024 AAAV Wine Symposium, we honored Black wine entrepreneurs at CIA at Copia in Napa in early March. The sold-out industry day included compelling panel discussions and a luncheon keynote by Donae Burston of La Fête Wine Company and concluded with awards for Trailblazing, Innovation and Community Impact.
The award recipients include:
2024 Trailblazer Award – Iris Rideau, the first Black woman in America to own and operate a vineyard.
2024 Innovation Award – Christopher Renfro, a winemaker-activist, Chris uses hybrid and indigenous grapes to create transformative change in the wine industry.
2024 Community Impact Award – Leslie and Le Jones, founders of 1010 Wine & Events, the first and only wine bar in Inglewood, Calif.
As AAAV’s media sponsor, Wine Enthusiast will host recordings of the 2024 AAAV Symposium programming on WineEnthusiast.com. Links will be announced on AAAV’s social media channels in the coming weeks. AAAV’s 2024 Wine Symposium Weekend was sponsored by Total Wine Spirits Beer & More, Bronco Wine Company, CIA at Copia, H-E-B, GALLO and Wine Enthusiast.
2024 AAAV Wine Entrepreneur Grant
We are honored to announce the recipients of the 2024 AAAV Wine Entrepreneur Grant. The grant awards $5,000 to AAAV Wine Producer members to positively impact operations, marketing or innovation efforts to grow their wine business.
Join us in congratulating this year’s awardees:
Ryann Casey, Kyndal Easter, Erica Estrada and Chelsea Walden, Mela Vino (California)—Four lifelong friends making California rosé, white and red blends to honor connection and elevate their community’s social experience.
Hilary Cocalis, Sipwell Wine Co. (California)—Innovative Champagne-style sparkling canned wines sourced from organically farmed grapes and made in California’s Central Coast.
Aamira Garba, LoveLee Wine (New Jersey)—Award-winning California rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and red blends inspired by passion and purpose.
Peter King III, Drew Ryan Wines (Michigan)—An urban winery and vineyard in Detroit focused on using cold-climate varietals to make rosé and sparkling wines that highlight the Great Lakes region.
Marvina Robinson, B. Stuyvesant Champagne (New York)—Brooklyn-born maker of Champagne that celebrates authenticity, empowerment and inclusivity.
AAAV Wine Entrepreneur Grant
We are honored to announce the recipients of the 2024 AAAV Wine Entrepreneur Grant. The grant awards $5,000 to AAAV Wine Producer members to positively impact operations, marketing or innovation efforts to grow their wine business.
Join us in congratulating this year’s awardees:
Ryann Casey, Kyndal Easter, Erica Estrada and Chelsea Walden, Mela Vino (California)—Four lifelong friends making California rosé, white and red blends to honor connection and elevate their community’s social experience.
Hilary Cocalis, Sipwell Wine Co. (California)—Innovative Champagne-style sparkling canned wines sourced from organically farmed grapes and made in California’s Central Coast.
Aamira Garba, LoveLee Wine (New Jersey)—Award-winning California rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and red blends inspired by passion and purpose.
Peter King III, Drew Ryan Wines (Michigan)—An urban winery and vineyard in Detroit focused on using cold-climate varietals to make rosé and sparkling wines that highlight the Great Lakes region.
Marvina Robinson, B. Stuyvesant Champagne (New York)—Brooklyn-born maker of Champagne that celebrates authenticity, empowerment and inclusivity.
what we do
Supporting Member Wineries
For over 20 years, the Association of African American Vintners has been making strides toward our ultimate goal of achieving equity and inclusion in the wine industry.
what we do
Supporting Member Wineries
For over 20 years, the Association of African American Vintners has been making strides toward our ultimate goal of achieving equity and inclusion in the wine industry.
donations + fundraising
Black Wine Makers and Black Wine Drinkers Exist
Your generous contribution supports both the growth of this underrepresented sector of the wine trade and the sustainability of wine.
donations + fundraising
Black Wine Makers and Black Wine Drinkers Exist
Your generous contribution supports both the growth of this underrepresented sector of the wine trade and the sustainability of wine.
membership
Join AAAV!
We welcome all wine professionals and supporters. Together, we are unwaveringly committed to dismantling barriers to equity and fostering new opportunities for a more vibrant and sustainable wine market.
membership
Join AAAV
We welcome all wine professionals and supporters. Together, we are unwaveringly committed to dismantling barriers to equity and fostering new opportunities for a more vibrant and sustainable wine market.