On The Progress of Black Americans in Wine

Optimism and clear thinking mark recent stories on the subject

Almost three years beyond the George Floyd murder that led to a large uptick in the conversations concerning Blacks in the wine industry, we recently saw what is probably the most uplifting and positive story on the issue. It was heartening to see Tiffany Ezinwa Onyejiaka’s “What It’s Really Like To See A Black Professional” in Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

In the article, Ms. Onyejiaka surveys a wide variety of Black industry professionals, some more and some less well-known, and looks to understand where they stand today. Among those she speaks with is Tonya Pitts, the celebrated sommelier. Looking back at her career and looking at the present, “Pitts believes Black wine professionals working today can chart their own paths. ‘Ten years ago, we probably wouldn’t have been able to say that.’ “

Interestingly, Pitts goes on to note, “I think what holds us back within certain aspects is access to the funds, to the land, to the resources, the grapes, access to opportunity.”