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
AAPI Drinks Innovators
These twelve leaders are shaping the beverage alcohol industry while trailblazing more opportunities for AAPI professionals
Black Drinks Innovators
Ten rising stars charting creative new paths—and pushing for inclusivity—in the world of wine, beer, and spirits
At the Frontier of Winemaking, a New Talent Leads the Way
In Mexico’s Baja region, the Bordeaux-trained winemaker Lourdes Martinez Ojeda crafts wines that establish her homeland as vital to the global culinary stage
Creating Wine Grapes that Can Withstand Climate Change
France’s National Institute for Agricultural Research has developed new, disease-resistant varieties that allow growers to adapt to environmental challenges
Forging a Multicultural Future for American Beer
The owners of San Diego’s Border X Brewing use their Mexican heritage to bring diversity to their beers and taprooms
Reimagining Equity in the Hospitality Industry
Activist Ashtin Berry promotes conversations about race, gender, and other politically charged topics to help the industry identify its biases and create more inclusive spaces
Bringing Wellness to the International Wine Community
With the platform A Balanced Glass, Rebecca Hopkins and Cathy Huyghe are building a professional community that prioritizes self-care
Crafting the Future of the American Cider Industry
In her capacity as head of the U.S. Association of Cider Makers, Michelle McGrath is helping define what American cider is—and what it can be
The Mezcalistas Founders Built a Community for the Agave Spirit
Susan Coss and Max Garrone helped fuel the mezcal revolution by promoting the spirit through a publication, an educational platform, and consumer events
Spearheading a Global Initiative to Fight Climate Change
The Jackson and Torres families have joined forces to launch International Wineries for Climate Action, a powerful new protocol for sustainability
Pioneering a New Age of Tropical Cocktails
How the beverage director Shannon Mustipher is challenging everything you know about cane spirits and tiki culture
Origin Malt is Igniting a Seed-to-Sip Beer Revolution
How the Ohio-based malt house aims to bring barley production back to the Midwest
