Since 1988, Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated in America. From September 15 to October 15 is celebrated nationwide as National Hispanic Heritage Month. It traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries.
However, this year feels very different. Yet we are amidst a pandemic, the world itself is facing much more in terms of racial disparity. We can not get together to celebrate as we used to do it but still the spirit of the celebration is still vibrant and for me in the wine world has felt like a wake up call. Yes, a wake up call because where are the Latinos in the Wine Industry?
Where are the hispanics and latinos in the Wine Industry?
.
.
.
Exactly! Where are we? Well, from the latinos that pick up the grapes on the field until the winemakers and sommeliers we are all over the wine industry. However, with less visibility and with less representation because wine education is expensive and our culture and heritage doesn’t focus on wine compared to other cultures but rather in other spirits. However, this is changing and the latin community is very interested in learn more about wine and of course, in consuming wine. My friend Erlinda from thevinicola.com wrote an amazing piece with plenty of hard data that proves that the wine industry has to stop ignoring us.
Let’s Empower, Educate and Elevate.
I started as a wine lover but right now I am pursuing my WSET 2. On a daily basis, I work in technology and as much as I enjoy my career I was very interested in pursuing wine education. However, I have to say that wine education is expensive. Since I have my 9 to 5 paycheck I was able to save some budget to pay for wine school, but I can not imagine how hard must be for those working in the hospitality industry.
I have shared with you about the new community that I have started Latinas Wine Club. Hence, I am feeling the necessity to support fellow latinxs in pursuing her wine education. I have been thinking on creating an scholarship fund but I will keep cooking the idea on that regard.
In the meantime, I want to continue to support the general knowledge of wines. I encourage you to keep looking for free resources to learn about wine. Hence, and to keep the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month I have partenered with my friend Erlinda, a Latina Sommelier, Wine Educator and Writer from The Vinicola to offer a free online class. This classwill be on September 24th at 6pm. We will explore the Latin American Wine Basics. Register below and LET’S CELEBRATE!
