Reyes Wine Group LLC, Martin Reyes

Summary of the steps taken in 2022 to meet the tenets of the Wine Industry Equity Pledge. 
70% of what I do is more environmental sustainability, which in and of itself is people focused, and 30% of my time is dedicated to DEI through co-founding and participation in various organizations. 

I am co-founder of the non profit, Wine Unify (established in 2020) which offers opportunities for continued wine education for underrepresented minority groups. This is achieved through outreach, education and awards (includingseveral WSU awards at all levels as well as diploma and now, for the first time master of wine application funding for three recipients of underrepresented minorities/people of color people.). I may be the first MW of Mexican descent, but I definitely do not want to be the last. 

I am co host of the Four Top, a James Beard award winning podcast founded by Katherine Cole where distinguished experts/leaders/activists discuss the big issues in wine culture, relating to sustainability, human rights, and contemporary life. Many of the philosophies are shared philosophies of the wine pledge. 

I am co-founder of Napa RISE, a changemaking symposium designed to accelerate sustainability and climate action, empower wine industry leaders to grow resilience and business longevity, and leverage a powerful platform to galvanize aspirational change in the global industry and beverage market.  One of the Six Pillars of Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership is DEI (Day 5) and I have co developed a program to galvanize action around education, inspiration and action, where we have mentor mentee relationships between wineries who are more practiced in DEI and wineries that want to improve in this space.  

I am on the board of Napa Green, which is THE leading sustainable winegrowing program providing comprehensive, systematic soil to bottle certification for Napa County growers and vintners. While primarily environmentally focused, Napa Greens’ 360 degree view of sustainability also includes a commitment to racial and social justice with one of their pillars being social equity.  In addition to being a board member, I also fundraise on behalf of Napa Green as well as advocate for greater inclusion. 

I look forward to continue to make great strides toward creating equity and belonging. 

Here’s to a more diverse 2023/24.