‘Drinklusive’ is a new organisation aiming to improve diversity and inclusivity in the drinks trade through dialogue and positive action which has been launched by Susan O’Neill (of Vin-Cru Natural Wine Bar), Drinklusive is a community for sharing information on resources, training, education and mentorship as well as sharing success stories and experiences of BAME Wine Professionals in the UK.
Its first focus is to encourage as many people as possible in the wine trade to complete the ‘UK Wide Diversity in the Wine Trade’ survey currently being circulated. The survey is open until Sunday, 5th July and the results will be shared the following week.
Susan, who has worked in the wine industry for over ten years, comments, “The global Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd really made me reflect on my own circumstances. The industry I work in is often criticised as being ‘pale, male and stale’ but nobody seemed to be talking about race. The idea for Drinklusive grew from there.”
Commenting on the lack of diversity in the Scottish drinks trade, Iain McPherson, Edinburgh-based Scottish-Korean owner of Panda & Sons says, “As a person of colour, you always knew you had to be better than the rest to be recognised as you can’t be ignored if you’re the best at what you do.”
Work has begun on a resource website for BAME Wine professionals which will host a directory of BAME wine professionals throughout the UK. If you would like to be included, please contact info@bamewineprofessionals.co.uk. Discussions have also been started with WSET on scholarships and bursaries for BAME wine professionals and www.bameinhospitality.co.uk is already running fantastic initiatives including mentorship and webinars for the wider hospitality trade as a whole.
Drinklusive would like to hear from anyone working in the drinks industry interested in getting involved with grassroots inclusivity initiatives. You can get in touch via Instagram @drinklusive
