Marking Four Years of Impactful Achievements, Entering the Spirits Industry, and Introducing the Inaugural Sip & Sabor Festival in 2024
New York, NY – September 16, 2024 – Hispanics in Wine & Spirits (HiWS) proudly celebrates its fourth anniversary this year, showcasing its history of impactful contributions and introducing new initiatives to shape the wine and spirits industry. Since its establishment, HiWS has been dedicated to promoting the representation and influence of Hispanic and Latine communities in the alcohol beverage industry.
Reflecting on Our Journey
Over the past four years, HiWS has achieved significant milestones through impactful partnerships and innovative projects:
- 2024 Chablis Scholar Series: In collaboration with The Bourgogne Wine Board, HiWS launched a national educational program featuring exclusive trade-only masterclasses in major U.S. cities. This initiative highlights the expertise of Bourgogne wine ambassadors and Hispanic wine professionals. A notable highlight of the program was Christopher Gomez, Beverage Manager and Sommelier at Sushi Noz in NYC, who earned top honors in the Chablis Scholar Series. Competing against candidates from Los Angeles, Miami, Austin, and New York City, Christopher achieved the highest score in the Unlock Chablis Competition and was awarded an educational trip to Chablis, France.
- The Roots Fund Partnership: In partnership with The Roots Fund’s “Vino para la Cultura,” HiWS provided WSET Level 1, 2, and 3 scholarships to the Hispanic/Latine wine community, empowering individuals to further their careers.
- LatinX Wine Summit: Co-organized the 2021 and 2022 LatinX Wine Summits, which successfully educated attendees about the vital contributions of Hispanic and LatinX individuals in the wine industry.
- Shitty Wine Memes Collaboration: In an effort to promote wine pairing versatility, HiWS created an exclusive “Empanada & Wine” pin. A portion of the proceeds from sales supports HiWS’s future programming and initiatives.
- Nationwide Directory: Launched the first-ever nationwide directory featuring Hispanic and Latinx professionals, brands, and businesses in the wine and spirits industries. Want to join? Please complete this form.
- Sippd x HiWS: The tech and e-commerce partnership launched the “What Matters to You” collection. This unique feature curates wine pairings from Central and South America with ten traditional Hispanic and Latin cuisines, utilizing Sippd’s Top Taste Match technology.
Looking Ahead: Sip & Sabor Festival
As HiWS enters its fifth year, we are thrilled to announce the inaugural Sip & Sabor Festival, taking place on December 6-7, 2024, at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa. This non-profit event promises an inclusive and immersive experience for wine and spirits enthusiasts and professionals alike. This two-day celebration will connect wine and spirits brands with consumers and the Hispanic/Latine community, fostering meaningful dialogue about industry trends, wellness, and innovations.
The festival marks HiWS’s strategic expansion into the spirits industry, reflecting our vision to unite wine and spirits for a more collaborative community within the beverage sector. This milestone represents a significant step in the ongoing evolution of both industries.
Join Us in Celebration: For more information about the festival tickets, please visit here. Interested in supporting, sponsoring, or participating? Submit this form to get in touch. If you have any additional questions, please contact admin@hispanicsinwine.com. Follow Hispanics in Wine & Spirits on Instagram @hispanicsinwine_spirits @sipandsabor, Linkedin @hispanics-in-wine-spirits, and Facebook @HispanicsinWine to stay up to date with the latest news!
About Hispanics in Wine & Spirits
Founded by Lydia Richards and Maria Calvert, Hispanics in Wine & Spirits™ is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying Hispanic / Latine roots in the beverage and hospitality industries. Rooted in community and representation, its mission is to provide educational and career-advancement opportunities to the ever-growing Hispanic and Latine community of beverage professionals in the United States and worldwide. From a comprehensive directory of wine professionals and strategic partnerships to industry events, scholarship opportunities, and more, Hispanics in Wine aims to connect, amplify, and support the ever-growing Hispanic and Latine community, including wine & spirits entrepreneurs, producers, sommeliers, retailers, restaurants, vineyard stewards, and consumers.
