Black-owned wineries celebrate 15 years of ‘love’ in Berkeley this weekend

This Saturday, representatives from more than 20 Black-owned wineries are gathering in Berkeley to toast their industry.

It is the 15th anniversary celebration of Black Vines, a Bay Area-based organization devoted to the wine and culture of Black oenologists. The bash takes place from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Ciel Creative Space (2611 Eighth St., Berkeley), with tickets at blackvines.net going for $200, which are half-off for members.

The party is toasting “15 years of wine, art, music, love,” according to Black Vines, and features nearly two-dozen Black-owned wineries pouring varietals, as well as art and live jazz. And there will be a “culinary experience” helmed by Michele McQueen, the celebrated chef at Oakland’s Town Fare restaurant.

Fern Stroud, the founder of Black Vines, says this event marks the culmination of many years of real but joyous work.

“Our goal has always been to be better than the year before, and we believe we have delivered,” Stroud says. “We are most proud of the community we have built — winemakers, artists, musicians, attendees and the volunteers that make it happen. We look forward to continued learning — leading with love, always.”

Black Vines represents some 40 partner wineries, for which members receive discounts on tasting rooms and events. The wine festivals and events that Black Vines curates are intended to show consumers they have options to support Black-owned wineries, and also make wine tastings less intimidating to outsiders and more fun and accessible.

“We curate experiences throughout the country and even internationally. So you never know where we may pop up,” Stroud says. These past 15 years have been a lot of things for Black Vines, she adds, but in total it has “been a beautiful journey.”