The new scheme aims to shine a light on wine talent in the Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and has been created by Mags Janjo of MJ Wine Cellars and Jancis Robinson MW
A new website bamewineprofessionals.co.uk, has been created to list all of the wine professionals in the UK who are Black, Asian or minority ethnic. It aims to give them exposure, celebrate their talents and generally raise their profile so that they are considered when it comes to recruitment opportunities, industry events and invitation lists.
The listings will include people working in retail, hospitality, marketing, PR, wholesale, winemaking, buying and logistics as well as wine educators and communicators.
It is a not-for-profit initiative that has been sponsored thus far by JancisRobinson.com but the duo are looking for industry donations to help with running costs as well as support in the form of offering sponsorships and mentorships.
It has links with some of the other initiatives that have emerged recently as the wine trade looks to make itself more inclusive and diverse, including @Drinklusive and BAME in Hospitality here in the UK and Wine Unify and Black Wine Professionals in the US.
‘For me, ethnic diversity in the wine industry has been an uncomfortable and much-avoided topic,’ said Janjo.
‘Fortunately, the wine industry and society as a whole are now giving this the spotlight it deserves. My goal at BAME Wine Professionals UK is to unearth, celebrate and promote BAME talent in the wine industry. I strongly believe the industry will be richer and better for more diversity.’
Robinson added: ‘I feel strongly that BAME individuals should be better represented, celebrated and publicised in the UK wine trade and our new project aims to encourage those in a position to do so to seek out talent, and provide opportunities within communities that could well provide the wine drinkers of the future.’
