Spearheading a Game-Changing Whiskey Marketing Campaign
With his unique and varied skill set, Trey Wade is exploring new experiential ways to market American whiskey—and shaking up an industry that has long been the domain of older white men
Innovators
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Spotlighting Independent Whiskey Distilleries Across the U.S.
Lost Lantern blends and bottles through their label, but with total transparency in sourcing they create greater access to and visibility for independent craft whiskeys
LATEST
Confronting Gender Bias in the Whiskey World
A new media library challenging stereotypes of whiskey drinkers is just the latest project from OurWhisky Foundation’s Becky Paskin to drive change in the industry
Prioritizing Economic Equity for Bar Staff
Happy Accidents owners Kate Gerwin and Blaze Montana centered their business around the well-being of their team—and created a model for others to follow
Building a Wine Movement for Underrepresented People and Grape Varieties Alike
With a mission-driven distribution portfolio and a nonprofit events organization, Jahdé Marley is uplifting the people—and grape varieties—that the wine industry has traditionally discounted
Designing a More Sustainable Packaging System for the Spirits Industry
EcoSpirits set out to tackle the enormous waste and carbon emissions produced by single-use glass bottles in the beverage industry with a technology and design solution based on reuse
Championing AAPI Representation in Wine
As the first Korean-American vintners in Oregon, Lois and Dave Cho are doing more than building a vineyard estate—they’re building a community
Building a Queer Community in the Wine Industry
When Darwin Oniyx Acosta landed in Napa as a Roots Fund intern, they immediately set to work transforming the scene to bring more queer visibility to the wine industry
Brewing Craft Beer for an Underserved Audience
With Asian-inspired beers like Lemongrass Witbier and Yuza Blonde, Dokkaebier CEO Youngwon Lee is expanding the flavor profiles of craft brews to serve more diverse audiences
Creating a New Model for Accessible Wine Retail and Restaurant Design
With his acclaimed on- and off-premise spaces, Contento and Beaupierre Wine & Spirits, Yannick Benjamin is redesigning modern hospitality for all
Advocating for the Mental and Physical Well-Being of Bar Workers
The growing awareness of hospitality workers’ health and well-being struggles prompted Alex Jump and LP O’Brien into action through their organization Focus on Health
5 Rising-Star AAPI Drinks Professionals
Our original AAPI Drinks Innovators are passing the mantle to the next generation, nominating the AAPI beverage directors, producers, bartenders, and more who are breaking boundaries
How Senay Ozdemir is Working to Unite Women in Unsung Wine Regions
In the face of global tensions and persistent gender inequality, Senay Ozdemir works to connect female wine professionals worldwide, focusing on struggling nations and underrepresented appellations
Looking for Low-Carbon Wine Shipping? Try Sail Freight
Grain de Sail, the first commercial exporter of wine by sail freight, shows that sail ship transport isn’t always a green gimmick, but can offer a viable—and scalable—alternative to conventional cargo
