Linfield University’s Center for Wine Education will host “Apertura: Opening Doors to Oregon Wine,” an afternoon of panel discussions and workshops designed to foster connection and lower barriers in the Oregon wine industry, on Thursday, April 11.
The half-day event focuses on creating spaces, both physical and professional, for those who have historically been excluded from the wine industry. Apertura’s panels and workshops examine overlapping categories of exclusion, including socioeconomic, identity and physical ability.
“Over the past decade, we’ve seen a tremendous amount of dedication and work by individuals, organizations and wineries to bring about these much-needed changes,” said Maria Ponzi, interim chair of the Center for Wine Education. “But there is still work to be done. Apertura is a chance to build on these efforts and envision what a truly inclusive industry can look like.”
The event kicks off with two panel discussions. The first will be helmed by the Willamette Valley Wineries Associations. The discussion will center on the organization’s first-in-the-country “DEBI” pledge, which stands for ‘Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion.’
It will be followed by a roundtable discussion moderated by McMinnville Mayor Remy Drabkin ’09, owner of Remy Wines and founder of Wine Country Pride. Other panelists include Brandy Grey of Greywing Cellars, Oregon’s first Native-owned winery; Lois Cho of Cho Wines; Tiquette Bramlette, founder of Our Legacy Harvested; and DeAnna Ornelas, president of AHIVOY.
Jennifer Madden, dean of the Linfield University School of Business, will lead participants in an interactive workshop focused on generating and evaluating strategies for inclusion. She will also distribute a white paper produced at last year’s BIPOC Wine Symposium, “50 Actionable Steps to Advancing Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity in the Wine Industry.” The day will end with a wine reception.
“We’re thrilled to bring these important voices together with industry insiders and students,” Ponzi said. “Together, we can create the next steps for the Oregon wine industry to continue to set a national standard for what true inclusion can look like.”
“Apertura: Opening Doors in Oregon Wine” runs 1-5 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 in the W.M. Keck Science Center on Linfield University’s McMinnville campus (building location). Registration is $20. Students and those for whom cost is a barrier may register for free by emailing wine@linfield.edu. On-street and lot parking is available and participants may park in any non-reserved spot. For more information, visit linfield.edu/wine or call 503-883-2243.
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Apertura: Opening Doors to Oregon Wine
When: 1-5 p.m. Thursday, April 11
Where: W.M. Keck Science Center, Linfield University’s McMinnville campus
Cost: $20, free for students and those for whom cost is a barrier
More information: Visit linfield.edu/wine, email wine@linfield.edu or call 503-883-2243
