It’s hard not to love wine and there are some moments in life that stay with you, not because they are extravagant but because they carry a touch of magic. 

For me, one of those moments was the day I tasted a wine that made me realise that wine would be in my life forever. I was a month into my role at Majestic in Greenwich and a bottle of Ravenswood Zinfandel from Lodi California, had been opened on the tasting counter. I was poured some to sample and something just clicked. It wasn’t just the taste but also the aroma. It triggered a memory of me picking blackberries and cherries in my grandfather’s garden when I was 10 years old. I realised then that wine wasn’t just a drink but a connection to my memories that linger.

Savouring the senses

Since then wine has been a constant thread running through my life. I love the flavours, of course, and the way that one bottle can taste like ripe summer fruit and another tastes like the cool air of autumn. With that said, it’s the moments wine creates that matter most. Wine can turn a dinner into a celebration or a be a reminder to slow down after a long day.

Wine makes me more present. It draws my attention to what is in my glass. The colour of the wine, the aromas after a cheeky swirl and the way it changes as the air touches it. Our lives are so busy, but wine can make you pause, breathe and get lost in your thoughts.

The people and places

What I love the most though is the people behind the bottles. Every glass is a story of either families working the same land for generations or newcomers carving their own paths with fresh ideas.

Some of my favourite memories aren’t really about the wine itself but about the people around it. Meeting winemakers and owners has only deepened my feelings around wine. This is why I take every opportunity to attend a wine lunch or to visit a vineyard, whether in the UK or abroad. Seeing their passion and dedication first-hand is infectious. It makes you realise that wine is about connection.

Another thing that I love is that wine is an adventure that never runs out of surprises. Just when I think I know my tastes; a new grape or region catches me off guard. At times a grape that I swore down to the ground wasn’t for me, is made into a wine that changes my mind again. A bottle from a place that I never expected or a taste that I can’t describe shows me that there is so much more to discover.

Travel has provided me with some of the richest experiences. I’ve been blessed to explore wine regions like Mendoza and stepped foot in Montefalco, Italy with Be Inclusive Hospitality. Wandering through the vineyards, tasting at the source and feeling how the land shapes the wine is unforgettable. Wine is a lifelong journey and that is what makes it so exciting.

I’m optimistic about the future and part of what makes me hopeful is how much wine itself is evolving. More winemakers are putting sustainability at the heart of what they do and protecting the land for future generations. Using techniques like regenerative viticulture, resource conservation and biodiversity.

A bright future

What excites me most is how wine culture is becoming more inclusive. It’s slowly changing to become less about exclusivity and more about openness. The emergence of black owned wines and wineries as well as black communicators, sommeliers and hospitality businesses allow voices and stories to take their well-deserved place on the global stage. I am in a unique position where I can use what I am building to spread the love for wine to my community and beyond. Breaking down the old stereotypes and showing that wine is truly for everybody.

When I look back at that first sip of Ravenswood, I realise that the spark wine lit for me has only grown brighter. We have been together through celebrations and quiet nights, travels and simple meals. I’ve found wine to be a memory, a feeling, a community and a discovery. That is why I will always love it.