Episode 87 - Part 1 of 3 - Virginia Mini Series - Tasha Durrett, Founder of Black Women Who Wine

This is the first episode of a 3-part mini series dedicated to all things Virginia Wine in partnership with The Veraison Project and Oenoverse initiatives. We begin this episode with an introduction to these initiatives along with an overview of their upcoming outreach efforts. 

The Oenoverse is an initiative dedicated to building diversity, inclusion, equity, and ownership, within the Virginia wine community. The goal is to significantly contribute to creating a more inclusive Virginia wine industry through focused outreach efforts to involve and include people from historically excluded and underrepresented communities. Leaders and wine enthusiasts within the BIPOC communities inform and lead the project’s outreach efforts, one of which is a series of tasting events led by featured wine professionals, Sommeliers, and wine enthusiasts. Through these community events and coordinated efforts, the goal is to reach a more diverse audience as well as encourage increased winery visitation and tourism of the area. You can learn more by connecting on social media @oenoverse.

The Veraison Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit comprised of a volunteer group of Wine Industry Professionals also committed to making the wine industry a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive place. Their goal is to make wine education accessible to a more diverse audience by providing sponsorships to pursue WSET and sommelier certifications while also expanding access to mentoring and networking opportunities. You can find them online at @theveraisonproject.

The goal of the Oenoverse and Veraison Project partnership is to present Virginia wine in comfortable, conversational, educational, and inclusive settings with the hope of attracting new consumers while also expanding the experiences offered to existing consumers. This team was recently awarded a grant from the Virginia Wine Marketing grant program to produce a series of Virginia wine events focused on creating a more inclusive and diverse industry and community. 

The first of episode of the mini series features Tasha Durrett, a wine enthusiast and educator based in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Born and raised in Virginia wine country, she founded Black Women Who Wine in 2019. Black Women Who Wine is a group focused on increasing the visibility and participation of Black women in the wine industry and agritourism throughout the state. It holds monthly meetups, offering members opportunities for socializing and wine education. Tasha also offers private tastings and collaboration on events and wine tours. A writer and communicator, Tasha is a former journalist and currently a communications manager at the Southern Environmental Law Center where she helps bring attention and awareness to transportation and environmental justice issues throughout the South. She says that since a young age, she has been especially interested in land ownership and opportunities for such throughout the Southern region and how the history of the region has shaped the entire nation. Tasha is also currently a host for the 2022 Blenheim Vineyards’ Oenoverse wine club. You can connect with her on social media at @blackwomenwhowine.

Recorded October 2, 2022