Linfield University’s Evenstad Center for Wine Education, in partnership with Asociación Hispana de la Industria del Vino en Oregon y Comunidad (AHIVOY), is proud to present their first-ever BIPOC Wine Symposium Thursday, April 13 on Linfield’s McMinnville campus.
The daylong event, designed both for Evenstad students and those who already work in the wine industry, features panel and roundtable discussions, workshops on how to create a more inclusive industry and a tasting featuring wines from Black and Latinx winemakers.
“We are thrilled to host the first of what we hope to be many BIPOC Wine Symposiums,” said Jennifer R. Madden, dean of Linfield University’s School of Business. “We’ll have pioneers of the industry and folks driving true change right here in Oregon together in one room, facilitating intimate conversations and hands-on workshops. More than half of our freshman students are first-generation, and Linfield is dedicated to bringing as many voices as possible into the conversation.”
Plus, she said, the day is an opportunity to celebrate “the tremendous accomplishments of our guests,” she said. “I’m confident attendees will leave inspired, with both new ideas and actionable steps.”
Scheduled panelists and guests include:
- Mac McDonald, winemaker and owner of Vision Cellars and co-founder of the Association of African American Vintners;
- André Hueston Mack, former Head Sommelier at Per Se and founder of Maison Noir Wines and Vine & Supply;
- Robin McBride, co-owner and founder of McBride Sisters Wine, the largest Black-owned winery in the United States, creator of Black Girl Magic wine and the SHE CAN Fund, dedicated to closing gender and race gaps in the wine industry;
- Sofía Torres-McKay, co-founder of AHIVOY (empowering vineyard stewards to move up through the ranks via 17 weeks of stipend-paid education and professional training) and co-owner of Cramoisi Vineyard and Winery;
- Marcus Johnson, creator of FLO Wines, Presidential Service Award winner and Billboard-ranked jazz pianist;
- Miguel Márquez García, beverage director for Republica and Co. (2021 Restaurant of the Year; now with four sister restaurants and three cafés), AHIVOY instructor and bilingual WSET level 3/certified sommelier;
- DeAnna Ornelas, Tasting Room and Hospitality Manager for Winderlea Vineyard and Winery and AHIVOY president;
- Desiree Noisette, founder, president and “head mermaid” of Mermosa Wines and Florida’s first Black female winemaker.
Registration is $49.95, which includes lunch and the wine tasting. For more information, contact Lisa Munson at 503-883-2243 or Imunson2@linfield.edu.
