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February 23, 2023
Every year for our Imbibe 75 Issue, we spotlight inspiring people and places that are helping to transform the drinks world. Last year, one such person was winemaker Simonne Mitchelson of Jackson Family Wines. Mitchelson has used her platform and position in wine to highlight the industry’s failings to promote diversity among winemakers in California. In doing so, she’s also become a changemaker, launching nonprofit Natural Wine Action Club, which mentors BIPOC students. NAWC is still getting 501c3 status, but it’s also working toward becoming the largest donor to the BIPOC scholarship program at California Polytechnic State University. We caught up with her recently while she was preparing and co-hosting an event for the Court of Master Sommeliers Women’s Symposium to find out how her work is evolving and what she has in store.
Well! The remainder of last year consisted of building direct-to-consumer for the brands I work with in Santa Barbara County for Jackson Family Wines. We received “Wine Region of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast, so we are thrilled and humbled that the wine world is giving us this recognition. Jackson Family also launched our partnership with Urban Grape, which will include us providing paid internships in production, operations, marketing, and sales. This allows students to evaluate which segments of the industry interest them most prior to completely diving in.
Natural Action has seen its first round of club allocations shipped and paid internships filled in Oregon and Livermore. The scholarship program received and funded three students who are currently all in the Enology/Viticulture program. Looking forward to this program growing even further!
My label is going through the bureaucratic processes currently! I’m looking forward to revealing all I’ve been working on in the near future.
I do feel like there is change being made in the wine industry with so much more to come. I see the greatest change happening at our own hands. We are creating change for ourselves and opportunities for others like us who wish to forge their own path here in this industry. I have deep admiration for businesses like Uncorked & Cultured, promoting Black voices and business through media; The Millennial Somm, influencing and educating with flavor and nuance; and Ward Four Wines, being a pioneer in winemaking. All of these incredible women making strides in predominantly white industries. These are the changemakers. These are the people acting forwardly instead of solely thinking. These are badass women of color opening the doors for others to come on through.
Taking a break! Resetting. Spending time with my family. Then back to it, because I can’t help myself, this is what I love to do.
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