FRANSCHHOEK’S MOST REBELLIOUS WINERY

No matter where I’m drinking wine, I seek out people, places, and spaces that feel inclusive. It’s become crucial for many of us in the industry to look at wine through a lens of equity, inclusion, and sustainability and to make choices that bring us closer to a clear vision of this in the future. Check out this article for a brief history of wine making in South Africa through the lens of Black Elephant Vintners, a hip, modern winery in the Western Cape.

As a Microsoft representative for the IAB UK Inclusion, Diversity & Equity working group, I frequently submit case studies to their Showcase For Change. Within this showcase they highlight great work happening within the digital advertising industry that we can all learn from to create positive change.

I’ve always favored boutique wineries focusing on low-intervention, agriculture-driven juice with a deep understanding and mutual respect for their consumers. Brands that are vocal advocates for inclusion & equity and fiercely dedicated to a sense of Community. In this feature article I dig into what makes this group of individuals and the brand they represent so unique & successful.

In my latest article, I share recipes inspired by my travels in Asia, paired with wines from around the globe. We focus on low-waste mentality inspired by the East, as well as respecting the cultures and people who generously share their heritage via recipes. 

“With a lover, however, the act of tasting wine is so overtly sensual that it really should come with an R rating. Scanning a wine list, and ordering two different wines so you can both try one another's, is seriously hot ‘outercourse.’ Putting your lips on a glass rim that your partner just parted ways with is essentially saying, “Kiss me.” 

To say we are a progressive industry would be an understatement. Digital technology drives significant changes across all aspects of humanity. Shouldn’t that inherently make ours the most inclusive companies to work for? 

Transport yourself to the magical English wine wonderland of Tillingham - offering natural wine, seasonal food, and stylish rooms near Rye in East Sussex.

As a woman who’s worked in the male dominated fields of Tech & Wine for over a decade, I have a responsibility to ensure stories are told from multiple perspectives. We’ve all heard the ‘Silicon Valley’ side of the story ~ now I invite you to dive into this one, where we find inclusivity in an exclusive App, and discuss how groundbreaking women are moving the wine industry forward by hitting the Club

Have you ever sat around a table with your friends enthusiastically brainstorming about starting your own business? The team behind Unwritten Wines did just that when they founded their boutique winery in Napa Valley. Fuelled by their fearless start up mentality, they created a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon where each vintage writes its own story. 

‘Natural Wine’ is a trendy label, but at its core it embodies the most ancient traditions of winemaking. To truly understand what’s going on behind the label we travelled through the hills of Palermo, and on to one of Europe’s highest active volcanoes to witness these historic practices evolving through modern technology.

Lucy Spain is an International Wine Professional currently based in London, with certifications from the American Sommelier Association, and a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. Her experience acting and writing as a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild, as well as 10 years in Media Technology, make her uniquely qualified to present wine in a fresh way. She focuses on fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry, and uses her background in tech to look at the ancient art of winemaking through a modern lens.