The history of wine is often narrated through generational dynasties, stoic family names, and long-held, frequently rigid, traditions. It’s a world that, until recently, rarely celebrated—or even acknowledged—diversity. Yet, beneath the surface of the world’s most celebrated regions, a quiet but profound revolution has been brewing. Today, a wave of dynamic, openly LGBTQ+ winemakers and winery owners are not just claiming their space in the cellar; they are redefining quality, challenging conventional wisdom, and crafting some of the most exciting and authentic wines on the planet.
This is more than a list of allies; this is a celebration of makers whose identities inform, but do not overshadow, the exceptional character of their work. From the sun-drenched valleys of California to the rugged hills of Piedmont, Italy, these producers are proving that when you bring your whole self to the craft, the resulting wine is all the better for it. Grab a glass—preferably one made by the producers mentioned here—and let’s embark on a global tour of vinous excellence rooted in identity and pride.
Authenticity on the West Coast
The American West Coast, particularly California and Oregon, has long been a hotbed for independent thought and winemaking innovation. It’s no surprise that it hosts some of the most visible and activist LGBTQ+ wine figures.
In Sonoma County, wine isn’t just a beverage; it’s a vehicle for social change. For Equality Vines, there is justice in every glass. Founded by Jim Obergefell (the lead plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case legalizing same-sex marriage) and Matt Grove, Equality Vines is perhaps the most outwardly mission-driven winery portfolio in the world. Their entire ethos is built around promoting equality, with a portion of proceeds supporting organizations championing LGBTQ+ rights. They source grapes from top vineyards across California, allowing their label to be more flexible and focused on message and quality than a single estate.
- Featured Wine: The “Love Wins” Sparkling Blanc de Blancs is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc from two acclaimed vineyards in Western Sonoma County. A crisp, lively sparkling with juicy pear and apple flavors, balanced by a hint of buttery brioche and a zing of citrus zest. Smooth, refreshing, and effortlessly elegant.
- Destination/Contact: Visit Equality Vines Tasting Room in Guerneville, California. Their wines are also available through their online shop and at partner locations across Sonoma.
Husbands Joe Wolosz and Jeff Durham started Gentleman Farmer Wines in 1999, scaling a micro-operation born in a garage into a highly respected small-production label known for high-end Bordeaux blends. Their focus is on creating wines that are generous, elegant, and timeless, mirroring their own sophisticated hospitality roots. They actively donate proceeds to LGBTQIA+ supporting organizations, including Queer LifeSpace and the It Gets Better Project.
- Featured Wine: Their flagship Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted with finesse, showcasing dark fruit, structure, and aging potential, firmly placing them in the premium Napa category while maintaining an independent, artisanal spirit.
- Destination/Contact: Gentleman Farmer is deeply committed to hospitality. They recently transitioned into a new, immersive tasting space known as “The Bungalow” in the St. Helena/Napa area, which presents a tailored, luxurious experience complete with music and hors d’oeuvres. Bookings are essential.
Moving down the coast to Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills, we find Camins 2 Dreams, founded by wife-and-wife winemaking team Tara Gomez (a member of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians) and Mireia Taribó (originally from Spain). Their name, translating to “Paths to Dreams,” reflects the journey that brought their diverse backgrounds together to produce minimal-intervention, terroir-driven wines.
- Featured Varietals: They excel with unique and sometimes challenging grapes, including a standout Grüner Veltliner and a powerful Spear Vineyard Syrah. Their Spanish heritage shines through in their exploration of Gamay, Grenache, and Carignan, all fermented with natural yeast.
- Destination/Contact: Their tasting room is located in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, a cluster of warehouses where many Sta. Rita Hills producers craft their wines. It offers an intimate, working-winery experience.
Oregon’s Willamette Valley is famous for Pinot Noir, but for Remy Wines, it’s a cradle for Northern Italian varietals. Remy Drabkin is an openly queer winemaker and a true Oregonian, who also happens to be the first woman and first queer-identified person to serve as the Mayor of McMinnville. Since launching Remy Wines in 2006, she has focused on honoring traditional Italian grapes—a bold choice in a Pinot-dominant region—and weaving a tight social fabric. Remy is also the co-founder of Wine Country Pride.
- Featured Varietals: Look for her single-varietal expressions of Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Dolcetto, and Lagrein. These wines are Old World in style: structured, food-friendly, and intended to age. Her ‘Three Wives’ label offers accessible blends.
- Destination/Contact: The tasting room is housed in a beautiful 1900s Farmhouse located on the family’s vineyard in the Dundee Hills AVA. They welcome visitors for tastings, often available without reservations, but reservations are encouraged for larger groups.
The Radical Edge: Minimal Intervention and Regenerative Farming
The ethos of authenticity is often paired with a minimal-intervention approach in the cellar, leading to experimental, vibrant, and sustainable wines. This new generation sees regenerative farming and social equity as inseparable parts of the winemaking process.
Krista Scruggs, founder and winemaker of Zafa Wines (and a key player in the Kalchē Wine Cooperative), is a force for change. Named one of Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40 Tastemakers, her philosophy is radical simplicity: “Just fermented juice.” Based primarily in Vermont, she champions diversity, equity, and regeneration, treating the land and her workers with the same justice she demands for people.
- Featured Varietals: Zafa specializes in unique co-ferments and natural wines, often blending grapes with fruits like apples and peaches—a move that challenges the very definition of “wine.” Her production is low-intervention, raw, and exhilaratingly expressive. Seek out her orange wines or pet-nats for a vibrant experience.
- Destination/Contact: Zafa often works through a cooperative model and hosts pop-up events and tastings, rather than having a fixed cellar door. Check the website for current events and availability.
Another winery with commitment to low-intervention practices is Terah Wine Co, founded by winemaker and certified sommelier Terah Bajjalieh. Terah Wine Co. is a reflection of her global wine travels (13 harvests across five countries). Terah, an openly queer Palestinian-American woman of color, sources organic and biodynamic fruit from various California microclimates—from Lodi to Santa Clara—to highlight diverse, food-friendly Mediterranean varietals. Her wines are known for their precision, focus, and ability to showcase terroir with minimal manipulation.
- Featured Varietals: A great example of her style is the Skin Contact Vermentino. This wine is natively fermented and aged in stainless steel, offering texture, bright acidity, and layers of citrus and mineral notes, challenging the norms of California white winemaking. She also produces sought-after Barbera and Sangiovese.
- Destination/Contact: Terah Wine Co. is a small-batch operation focused on the craft. They do not maintain a fixed public tasting room but often participate in local wine festivals (like the Equality Wine Festival) and pop-up events across the Bay Area. Wine is primarily sold via their website and select retailers.
Birdhorse, founded by Corinne Rich and Katie Rouse, focuses on shining a light on “unsung” grape varietals grown in California, moving beyond the ubiquitous Cabernet and Chardonnay. Their wines are dynamic, food-friendly, and expressive, perfectly capturing the spirit of modern, boundary-pushing California wine.
- Featured Varietals: Birdhorse focuses on Mediterranean varietals that thrive in California’s climate, such as bright, aromatic Verdelho, structured Carignan, and light, refreshing Valdiguié. Their low-production, high-quality focus has earned them national acclaim.
- Destination/Contact: Birdhorse is a small-batch operation, prioritizing allocation through their wine club and select retailers. While they do not have a dedicated public tasting room, they host occasional pickup events and pop-up tastings in the Bay Area.
In Napa Valley, the husband-and-husband team of Jeff Davis and Greg Brickey craft exquisite wines under the label Majuscule Wine. Their name, meaning “capital letter,” speaks to their belief that wine is a language of the land. They focus on micro-production, working with single-vineyard sites to capture the unique expression of place.
- Featured Varietals: Their focus is primarily on classic California expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc made with a thoughtful, Old-World restraint that allows the delicate vineyard characteristics to shine through.
- Destination/Contact: Majuscule operates primarily by appointment for private tastings, offering a personalized experience in the heart of Napa wine country.
- Tasting Room: Mia Carta Tasting Collective, 1209 First Street, Napa, California
- Learn More: www.majusculewine.com
Global Expressions: From Europe to the Southern Hemisphere
The LGBTQ+ presence is less immediately visible in the historical wine structures of Europe, but queer winemakers are thriving, particularly those focused on organic, sustainable, and family-driven production.
Piedmont, Italy is famous for Barolo and Barbaresco, massive, long-lived wines requiring patience and tradition. Yet, even here, a modern, inclusive sensibility is taking hold.
In the small, focused appellation of Dogliani, Eraldo Revelli and his family operate a small, organic winery, that is deeply rooted in the land. Eraldo is a respected and openly gay voice in a region that often keeps its private life separate from its public persona. His work champions the local red grape, Dolcetto, emphasizing purity and organic farming.
- Featured Varietals: Eraldo’s focus is on Dolcetto, particularly the Dogliani Superiore, which delivers rich notes of black cherry, licorice, and firm tannins. He also works with other Piedmontese staples, crafting wines that are true to the terroir of Monforte d’Alba. Look for the “Autin Lungh” or “Otto Filari” labels.
- Destination/Contact: The estate is located near Monforte d’Alba, one of the most picturesque towns in the Langhe. Visits are typically intimate and by appointment only, offering a direct view into a traditional Piedmontese cellar with a modern, welcoming heart.
The Southwest of France, often overshadowed by Bordeaux, is a haven for small, innovative producers, including some who have brought an international perspective to classic French vineyards. Chateau Lestevenie, situated in the Bergerac region of the Dordogne, is owned by English expatriates who have fully embraced the organic and sustainable methods of French viticulture. While outside the major tourist hubs, their commitment to producing clean, expressive wines—both red and white—has earned them a loyal following.
- Featured Varietals: They produce excellent examples of the region’s diverse offerings, including a crisp Bergerac Blanc (typically Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend) and a vibrant Bergerac Rouge (Merlot/Cabernet Franc). These wines are known for their freshness and clear expression of the fruit.
- Destination/Contact: The Chateau is a charming stop in Saint-Méard-de-Gurçon. They welcome visitors for tours and tastings, often with the winemaker/owner leading the experience. Given their location, it is a perfect stop on a relaxed drive through the French countryside.
South Africa: Hospitality and High-Altitude Glam
South Africa’s winelands, particularly those surrounding Cape Town, are globally recognized for their quality and welcoming environment, often ranking highly for LGBTQ+ travelers. While specific small LGBTQ+ owned estates are often difficult to track due to the size of the industry, the region embraces inclusivity. Many LGBTQ+ certified operators run tours through this region, ensuring a celebrated experience.
While not explicitly owned by an LGBTQ+ couple, Cape Point Vineyards is a must-visit, often highlighted by queer tour operators for its welcoming atmosphere, stunning setting, and commitment to excellence. Located in the coastal hamlet of Noordhoek, this vineyard is known for its incredible high-altitude Sauvignon Blanc.
- Featured Varietal: The Isliedh Sauvignon Blanc, their flagship wine, is a complex, barrel-fermented white that defies expectations for the varietal. It exhibits texture, depth, and layers of citrus and mineral notes.
- Destination/Contact: The vineyard offers panoramic views over the Atlantic, with an upscale Braai (barbecue) experience available. For an exclusive experience, many LGBTQ+-certified tour operators can arrange private hilltop tastings.
While not an exhaustive list, many others we have highlighted in the past, these winemakers, owners, and operators are quietly leading the charge for a more equitable, sustainable, and innovative industry. They embrace heritage while refusing to be bound by outdated conventions, leading to wines that are vibrant, authentic, and truly expressive of both the land and the hands that made them.
Next time you’re selecting a bottle, seeking out these names is more than a gesture of support; it’s a guaranteed path to discovering exceptional wine that tastes all the better for the integrity and passion poured into it.
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