Pride in Every Pour: Celebrating Innovation and Authenticity in Winemaking

Forty years ago, Virginia's wine industry was in its infancy. Visionaries took bold steps, experimenting with grape varieties and viticultural practices to establish a now-thriving wine region. Today, a similar spirit of innovation and courage is evident among LGBTQ+ winemakers and vineyard owners who are reshaping the wine landscape with authenticity and resilience.

In wine—as in life—authenticity is everything. A growing number of winemakers are redefining what authenticity means, not just in the glass, but in how they show up for their communities, their land, and themselves.

Today’s LGBTQ+ winemakers are leading a quiet revolution, helping move the wine industry beyond traditional binaries—rejecting the tired “Old World vs. New World” narrative and instead forging a path rooted in diversity, regeneration, and inclusion. This isn’t just about identity—it’s about values. Winemakers like those at Kalchē Wine Cooperative operate on three guiding principles: diversity, equity, and regeneration. Their approach reflects a belief that justice—for people and for the planet—should be baked into the business of wine.

Theresa Heredia of Gary Farrell Winery exemplifies this vision. After leaving a Ph.D. program in chemistry to pursue her passion, she rose to national recognition as a nominee for Winemaker of the Year and helped foster a partnership with the Human Rights Campaign, ensuring that the fight for equality is toasted with nothing less than a beautifully crafted Pinot Noir.

Many of these winemakers embrace emerging varietals and experimental techniques while honoring the roots of tradition, like Remy Drabkin’s commitment to Italian grapes or Vivianne Kennedy’s work with minimal intervention wines. They are proving that innovation doesn’t mean abandoning heritage—it means expanding it to make room for everyone.

By embracing their full selves, these winemakers are changing the conversation. Their work inspires not because it’s different, but because it’s bold, honest, and deeply human, just like the best wines.

• Vivianne Kennedy – RAM Cellars (Oregon): As one of the few openly transgender winemakers in North America, Vivianne crafts natural wines that reflect both the terroir and her journey, emphasizing authenticity in every bottle.
• Remy Drabkin – Remy Wines (Oregon): A queer woman and founder of Remy Wines, Remy focuses on Italian varietals and co-founded Wine Country Pride to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community in rural Oregon.
• Terah Bajjalieh – Terah Wine Co. (California): A queer woman of color, Terah brings over a decade of global winemaking experience to her natural wine label, emphasizing organic and biodynamic practices.
• Jens Korberg & Bruno Francois – The Old Third Vineyard (Canada): Partners in life and business, they operate Canada's only LGBTQ-owned winery, producing unfined and unfiltered wines that express their commitment to authenticity.
• Mark Lyon – Eco Terreno Wines & Vineyards (California): An openly gay winemaker, Mark integrates sustainability with advocacy, supporting LGBTQ+ initiatives through his Sonoma County winery.
• Justine Belle Lambright – Kalchē Wine Cooperative (Vermont): A Black and queer co-founder, Justine leads a cooperative focusing on regenerative winemaking and inclusivity, challenging traditional norms in the industry.
• Theresa Heredia – Gary Farrell Winery (California): A passionate chemist-turned-winemaker, Theresa brings precision and heart to every bottle. She helped forge a partnership between Gary Farrell and the Human Rights Campaign, ensuring that every glass of her acclaimed Pinot Noir celebrates pride and purpose.
• Teneral Cellars (California): A woman-owned winery, Teneral Cellars exemplifies the fusion of quality winemaking and social advocacy. Their "Love is Love" Pride Collection features wines like the Overflowing with Pride Barbera and Loud and Proud Merlot. Notably, $10 from every 3-pack sold is donated to The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, supporting LGBTQ+ communities.

The creativity and courage shown by today’s LGBTQ+ winemakers echo the pioneering spirit that shaped Virginia’s wine industry decades ago. In both stories, we see people challenging assumptions about terroir, technique, or tradition and offering new expressions of what wine can be.

At Willowcroft, we understand the drive to do things differently. Our earliest vines were planted when Virginia was still an unproven region in American wine. It took vision, persistence, and a deep belief in possibility. That same spirit lives on in the work of winemakers who approach their craft with authenticity and pride, not as a statement, but as a standard.

Their commitment to regenerative agriculture, diverse leadership, and fresh perspectives is not a deviation from tradition—it’s a vital extension of it. Diversity in winemaking enriches the industry, expands our palates, and makes space for everyone to find a wine—and a story—that speaks to them.

As we reflect on the progress of Virginia's vineyards, we celebrate the LGBTQ+ individuals who continue to pioneer with pride and passion in the wine world. Their stories inspire us to appreciate the diversity and authenticity that make each bottle of wine a testament to resilience and innovation.