Embracing Afro-Latina Identity Embracing Afro-Latina Identity Latinas might seem like a word that defines some of us, but there are many cultural nuances, and we think of the word ‘Latinas’ as an umbrella term. On the other hand, feeling the sense of uniqueness made us reflect that one term can’t define it all. For instance, “Afro-Latina” refers to women of African descent with Latin American roots. Spaniards brought many African people to Latin America during a period that has brought back so many untouched historical moments lately that have got us reflecting on that part of history. Hence, recognizing Latin American heritage sometimes requires considering the rich cultural heritage and contributions that African culture has brought to America. In this regard, Afro-Latinas often face unique challenges in feeling fully integrated within both the African diaspora and Latine communities. However, we want to embrace and celebrate Afro-Latina identity while fostering a sense of belonging and integration. Acknowledge and Celebrate Your Heritage Embracing your Afro-Latina identity starts with acknowledging the diverse and vibrant heritage that comes with it. Take the time to learn about the history and contributions of Afro-Latinas in various fields, including art, music, literature, activism, and wine, of course! Here at Latinas Wine Club, we celebrate Latinas and Afro-Latinas all year! By celebrating Afro-Latinas’ achievements, you can cultivate a sense of pride in your cultural background. Connect with Your Community Building connections within the Afro-Latina community can be empowering and affirming. Seek out local organizations, events, and social groups that cater to Afro-Latinas and create opportunities for networking and mutual support. Engaging with people who share similar experiences can provide a sense of belonging and validation. Share Your Story Sharing your experiences as an Afro-Latina can be a powerful way to raise awareness and foster understanding within your social

Hispanic Heritage Month Feature Fuil Wines creates unique expressions of the Santa Ynez Valley. Meet the husband-and-wife team behind Fuil Wines, Carolina Espiro Jaeger and Matt Espino Jaeger, who are turning a lifelong passion into award-winning wines. They met in a children’s Shakespeare show and have gone above and beyond to blend Old World techniques with California’s finest grapes, creating unique expressions of the Santa Ynez Valley. Latinas Wine Club: How did you get into wine? Carolina Espiro Jaeger:  I moved here from Chile with my parents at the age of 2 and grew up with wine as an everyday part of life. My family saw wine as a beverage that naturally accompanied a family dinner. It wasn’t meant to distract or even fuss about. But when I began working in restaurants and wine bars, I was introduced to a world where wine brought about discussion, reverence, and, for better or worse, scrutiny. I formed a newfound respect for the beautiful art that goes into winemaking. The fact that one sip can tell you all about where, how, and near what something was grown. It can tell you its experience as a living fruit, the weather it endured, the care that was taken, the bed that it rested in, and its crawling bedmates.  The path of the sun, the feel of the temperature. It can tell you more about itself than any other thing I’ve consumed. And it forces you to listen. As a filmmaker and storyteller, this resonates with me deeply.  Being with Matt as a partner in life and in wine has been such an incredible blessing, and I continue to learn more and more every day. Matt Espiro Jaeger: I grew up in rural Wisconsin, in beer and brat country, to parents who rarely drank. So when my father took a community college wine appreciation course, it was a big deal because he

Celebrating Latinity in wine is within our mission. Elevating our stories and showcasing Latina women winemakers is an excellent opportunity to recognize the diverse contributions to the wine industry and support the unique creations of these talented individuals. It is essential to acknowledge the valuable perspectives and experiences of underrepresented communities in the wine industry and to promote their work. During the next few weeks, we will share more about these winemakers and experience the fruits of their labor. Meet the Winemaker: Paula Gonzalez from Pyros Wines, Argentina Paula Gonzalez, head winemaker at Pyros wines in Pedernal, San Juan, joined the winery in November 2019. Since then, she has brought her creativity and innovation to make wines that reflect the ultimate expression of the Pedernal Valley. Meet the Winemaker: Susana Balbo from Susana Balbo Wines, Argentina Susana Balbo, Argentina’s first female winemaker, has not only revolutionized the Argentinian wine scene but has also played a key role in improving the quality of Torrontés and making it become Argentina’s flagship white variety. She has carried the flag of Torrontés and put white wines of Argentina on the map, making her the White Wine Ambassador for the region. Meet the Winemaker: Lulu Martinez Ojeda, from Casa Jipi and Bruma Vinícola México Get to know Lourdes “Lulu” Martinez Ojeda, the trailblazing winemaker who hails from Mexico. With ten years of experience working in Bordeaux, France, Lulu brings a wealth of knowledge of Mexican terroir to the table. She is a Winemaker and Partner at Bruma Vinicola and Casa Jippi Wines and also works as a Winemaker Consultant at Palafox. After her stint in Bordeaux, Lulu’s first job was working for the French Mexican Wine House Henri-Lurton.

The steps between being a server and escalating the ladder to become a beverage director sometimes are not just having excellent service and hospitality skills and the know-how. Yet more than the how, the knowledge is imperative and doesn’t entirely come from the day-to-day floor experience. Therefore investing in your wine career and getting knowledge of specific regions is essential. There are some courses of wine and spirits well known in our niche, but the tuition sometimes exceeds our financial possibilities. In other words, the Wine courses are often out of our budget. You can learn from many free resources, but if you want to certify your knowledge and advance your career, you need to get that knowledge certified and have credibility. We have found 5 organizations that might help advance your Wine Career by providing scholarships to complete these wine and spirits classes. Our advice will be to constantly apply to their available opportunities as they have different programs throughout the year.  You might find it interesting that our Founder, Martha Cisneros, was looking for opportunities to advance her career in wine. So with little hope, she applied one late night to the Introduction Sommelier Course Scholarship through the Court of Master Sommeliers of America, and she got it. Court Master Sommeliers of the Americas  Court of Master Sommeliers offers the Americas Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination Scholarship. The scholarship is open to any student, restaurant, hospitality, or beverage education professional within the US identifying as BIPOC+ and over the age of 21.  For more information on how to apply, check https://www.mastersommeliers.org/press/court-master-sommeliers-americas-launches-online-introductory-sommelier-course-and-exam AHIVOY Oregon Pacific Northwest is home to one of the fastest-growing wine regions in the USA: Oregon. Currently, many wineries are employing and hosting internship opportunities. AHIVOY is a non-profit organization that aims to strengthen the Oregon