In May 2020, amid a broader national reckoning around racial equity, the need for meaningful, long-term change across many industries became impossible to ignore. Rather than focusing on short-term responses, attention turned toward creating impact within areas where sustained influence was possible.

With more than a decade of experience in the wine industry—an industry historically shaped by exclusivity and limited access—The Veraison Project was established to help expand opportunity and representation. Built by a group of like-minded wine professionals, the organization was founded on the belief that the industry can grow stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable when more voices are included.

Today, The Veraison Project operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to cultivating access, education, and leadership within the wine and hospitality space. Through mentorship, scholarships, and community-driven initiatives, the organization continues to create pathways for emerging talent and demonstrates what becomes possible when the table is intentionally made larger.

The name ‘Veraison’ is not just a term; it’s a metaphor symbolizing our mission. In viticulture, ‘veraison’ marks the pivotal moment when grapes begin to ripen, changing color from their initial green hue to deep shades of purple or gold. It is a period of transformation, of maturation, and of potential realized. This is the change we aim to inspire within the beverage industry – a transition from mere growth to true equity, from blossoming to ripening.