JBV: The Black Winemakers Story

The story must be told...Southern landowners realized that they could maximize their profits by using African slaves to work their land, and several laws were implemented to rationalize permanent race-based enslavement. Over the years, after every real or imagined slave uprising, these laws were made harsher, and black workers were further stigmatized and dehumanized. Even after hundreds of years of agitation, resistance, and political organizing, racial injustices still exist.

Racial injustices are prevalent in the wine industry. Winemakers, distributors, sellers and consumers have yet to fully acknowledge the award-winning wines produced by several Black winemakers.

Combining this with this generation's disinterest in a return to their roots, "laborers," it is challenging to get them interested in the love of the land. We need your help to tell this remarkable story!

Urban Connoisseurs believes strongly in diversity in the business of agriculture. We took ten students from HBCUs (Florida A&M University, Kentucky State University, and Tuskegee University) who were studying viticulture, plant science, agriculture, and fermentation on a journey to visit Black winemakers. The experience showed them how winemaking and the tending of the vines were not rooted in slavery but rather in their African past of caring for the land that produces life. After the students were exposed to the many possibilities of winemaking, plant science, vineyard ownership and management, and more, they were on fire! The Black winemakers and vineyard owners they met were from around the world, South Africa, Canada, and the United States. The story has been hidden and now deserves to be told and shared widely. Help us share it in a film to capture our history and point to the opportunities that await in the future.

The "Journey between the Vines (JBV): The Black Winemakers Story" documentary is more than just telling the story of more than 60 Black winemakers around the world. It is also a story of how we help the next generation create their story.

You will join others who believe that "Journey Between the Vines: the Black Winemakers Story must be completed now. Your donation will help us complete the final production phases and editing.

Thank you for helping us tell this story of Black Joy!

Sincerely,

Marcia Jones

Founder, Urban Connoisseurs