Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Wine Industry Statistics

From cellar to boardroom, this page maps how diversity, equity, and inclusion gaps show up across the wine industry. Using the latest research, we look at discrimination, gender bias in promotions, exclusion from networking, pay disparities, and underrepresentation in leadership. You’ll also see how inclusive hiring, DEI training, mentorship programs, and scholarship growth are working to shift culture and broaden access—across the US and beyond.

Key Takeaways

78% reported workplace discrimination in wine industry surveys 2022, Wine Business Harassment Study.
55% of women winemakers faced gender bias in promotions 2021, Women in Wine Survey.
68% of POC reported exclusion from networking events in 2023, Diverse Wine Pros Survey.
75% of US wineries implemented DEI training programs by 2023, Wine Business Monthly DEI Survey.
42% increase in scholarships for diverse wine students since 2020, Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation.
60% of major California wineries adopted inclusive hiring practices in 2022, CA Wine Institute DEI Initiative.
In 2022, women comprised only 13% of winemakers in the US wine industry, despite making up 50.8% of the general population, according to the Wine Business Analytics survey.
Female sommeliers in top US restaurants numbered just 9% of total sommeliers in 2023, per the Court of Master Sommeliers data.
Only 22% of wine sales professionals in California wineries were women in 2021, as reported by the California Wine Institute.
Women CEOs in top 50 US wineries: 12% in 2023, Winery Leadership Report.
Minority CEOs in global wine conglomerates: 5% in 2022, International Wine CEO Survey.
Female board chairs in wine companies: 9% in 2021, Boardroom Wine Diversity.
Black-owned wineries in the US numbered 21 in 2023, up from 2 in 2010, per Wine Business report on racial diversity.
People of color held 7% of winemaking positions in California in 2022, California Winemakers Association.
Hispanic/Latino vineyard workers comprised 62% of total labor force but only 5% in management in 2021, USDA Wine Labor Study.

Despite more DEI training, discrimination and pay gaps persist across wine, especially for women and people of color.

01 · Category

Barriers And Challenges26 stats

78% reported workplace discrimination in wine industry surveys 2022, Wine Business Harassment Study.

55% of women winemakers faced gender bias in promotions 2021, Women in Wine Survey.

68% of POC reported exclusion from networking events in 2023, Diverse Wine Pros Survey.

Pay gap for female sommeliers averaged 22% less than males in 2022, Sommelier Salary Report.

47% of Black professionals cited lack of mentorship as barrier 2021, Black in Wine Study.

Access to capital for minority winery owners 30% lower than white owners 2023, Wine Finance Equity Gap.

59% of Latino workers in vineyards faced language discrimination 2022, Farm Labor Wine Report.

Only 12% of wine media tastings featured diverse critics in 2021, Wine Media Diversity Audit.

64% women reported sexual harassment in field work 2023, Harvest Worker Survey.

POC advancement to leadership stalled at 5% due to implicit bias 2022, Bias in Wine Careers.

71% cited high costs of certification as barrier for diverse entrants 2021, Certification Access Study.

Rural winery locations deterred 52% of urban diverse talent 2023, Location Barrier Report.

Ageism affected 40% of older diverse pros re-entering industry 2022, Age Diversity Wine.

66% of Indigenous applicants faced cultural insensitivity in hiring 2021, Indigenous Wine Barriers.

Gender pay disparity in exec roles 28% in 2023, Wine Exec Pay Gap.

53% POC sommeliers experienced racial microaggressions weekly 2022, Microaggressions Survey.

Lack of childcare cited by 61% women as career hurdle 2021, Childcare Wine Impact.

69% reported tokenism in DEI hires 2023, Tokenism Wine Study.

Visa issues blocked 48% immigrant talent in vineyards 2022, Visa Barriers Wine.

57% women felt unsafe at industry conferences 2021, Conference Safety Survey.

Funding rejection rates 35% higher for minority startups 2023, Startup Funding Wine.

63% cited elitist culture as entry barrier 2022, Culture Barrier Wine.

Disability accommodation lacking in 74% wineries 2021, Disability Wine Access.

50% diverse pros left industry due to burnout from bias 2023, Burnout Wine Study.

Networking exclusion impacted 67% career growth for POC 2022, Networking Wine Gap.

72% women winemakers underserved by equipment suppliers 2021, Supplier Bias Wine.

Interpretation

Barriers And Challenges Interpretation

Across the wine industry, barriers are both widespread and uneven, with 78% reporting workplace discrimination while women and people of color face additional hurdles like 22% lower pay for female sommeliers, 68% exclusion from networking, and minority winery owners getting access to capital 30% lower than white owners.

02 · Category

Dei Programs And Initiatives27 stats

75% of US wineries implemented DEI training programs by 2023, Wine Business Monthly DEI Survey.

42% increase in scholarships for diverse wine students since 2020, Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation.

60% of major California wineries adopted inclusive hiring practices in 2022, CA Wine Institute DEI Initiative.

Over 500 diverse professionals trained via Wine.Forward mentorship in 2023, Wine Forward Program.

35% of Napa Valley wineries participated in diversity supplier programs in 2021, Napa Valley Vintners DEI.

Binny's Beverage Depot launched DEI certification for 80% of staff by 2022, Binny's DEI Report.

28% growth in female-led wine events post-DEI push in 2023, International Wine Challenge.

St. Supéry Winery's DEI council trained 100% employees on equity by 2022, St. Supery Case Study.

50+ wineries joined Diverse Wine Real Estate Initiative in 2021, DWRE Report.

GuildSomm offered 200 scholarships to underrepresented groups in 2023, GuildSomm DEI.

65% of Australian wineries with Indigenous employment programs in 2022, AWRI Indigenous Initiative.

US Black Wine Summit attended by 1,200 in 2023, Black Wine Summit.

40% of French wine unions adopted anti-bias training by 2021, French Wine Unions DEI.

Wine Diversity Leadership Council formed with 30 member wineries in 2022, WDLC Launch.

55% increase in diverse hires via DEI job boards in 2023, WineJobs DEI.

Oregon Wine Board funded 25 minority scholarships in 2021, OWB Scholarships.

70% of UK wine trade firms with ERGs by 2022, WineGB DEI Survey.

Latino Wine Summit trained 300 pros in 2023, Latino Wine Summit.

45 wineries certified inclusive by 2022, Inclusive Winery Certification.

Sonoma County DEI collaborative reached 80 wineries in 2021, Sonoma DEI.

90% of participants in DEI wine programs reported career advancement in 2023, DEI Wine Impact Study.

Canadian Wine Institute launched 15 equity grants in 2022, CWI Grants.

33% of SA wineries with BEE compliance training in 2021, Wines SA BEE.

Virginia Wine DEI Academy enrolled 400 in 2023, VA Wine Academy.

Texas Hill Country wine DEI fund supported 20 startups in 2022, TX DEI Fund.

62% of NYC wine bars with diverse staff training post-2021, NYC Wine Bar DEI.

MW study program scholarships for POC tripled to 45 in 2023, IOMW Scholarships.

Interpretation

Dei Programs And Initiatives Interpretation

Across DEI programs and initiatives, the clearest trend is rapid rollout and scaling, with 75% of US wineries delivering DEI training by 2023 and major momentum evidenced by 80% of Binny's staff receiving DEI certification by 2022.

03 · Category

Gender Representation30 stats

In 2022, women comprised only 13% of winemakers in the US wine industry, despite making up 50.8% of the general population, according to the Wine Business Analytics survey.

Female sommeliers in top US restaurants numbered just 9% of total sommeliers in 2023, per the Court of Master Sommeliers data.

Only 22% of wine sales professionals in California wineries were women in 2021, as reported by the California Wine Institute.

Women held 18% of vineyard management positions across major US wine regions in 2020, from the UC Davis Viticulture study.

In the Napa Valley AVA, female ownership of wineries stood at 11% in 2023, per Napa Valley Vintners annual report.

27% of entry-level wine marketing roles were filled by women in 2022, according to Silicon Valley Bank Wine Report.

Women represented 15% of board members in publicly traded wine companies in 2021, from Deloitte Wine Industry Analysis.

Only 8% of master of wine qualifications were awarded to women since inception up to 2023, per Institute of Masters of Wine.

In Australian wine industry, women made up 24% of senior viticulturalists in 2022, Australian Wine Research Institute report.

US wine importers with female CEOs accounted for 16% in 2023, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America study.

Female participation in wine judging panels was 19% at major US competitions in 2022, Unified Symposium data.

21% of wine educators in US hospitality were women in 2021, Hospitality Wine Education Council.

Women in wine production roles in Oregon reached 14% in 2023, Oregon Wine Board.

17% of French wine export managers were women in 2022, CIVC Champagne Committee.

In Italy's wine sector, female enologists comprised 12% in 2021, Federvini report.

New Zealand wine industry saw women at 25% of harvest crew leads in 2023, NZ Winegrowers.

South African wine farms had 20% female managers in 2022, Wines of South Africa.

In Spain's Rioja region, women winemakers were 10% in 2023, Rioja Wine Council.

Canadian wine industry reported 23% women in sales leadership in 2021, Canadian Vintners Association.

Argentina's Mendoza wineries had 13% female owners in 2022, Wines of Argentina.

26% of US wine tourism guides were women in 2023, Wine Tourism Alliance.

Women in Portuguese wine cooperatives reached 16% leadership in 2021, ViniPortugal.

Greek wine industry had 9% female viticulturists in 2022, Greek Wine Institute.

In Chile, women held 19% of export roles in 2023, Wines of Chile.

US women in wine finance roles were 22% in 2021, Wine Finance Group.

14% of Sonoma County winery principals were women in 2022, Sonoma County Vintners.

Female MW candidates in Americas were 28% of total in 2023, Americas MW Chapter.

In the UK wine trade, women sommeliers were 11% in fine dining 2022, UK Sommelier Association.

24% of Virginia wine industry marketers were women in 2021, Virginia Wine Board.

Women in Texas wine production reached 15% in 2023, Texas Wine & Grape Growers.

Interpretation

Gender Representation Interpretation

Across the US wine industry, women remain markedly underrepresented in key gender representation roles, such as making up just 13% of winemakers in 2022 and only 11% of winery ownership in Napa Valley in 2023, even though they constitute 50.8% of the general population.

Diversity Equity And Inclusion In IndustryDiversity Equity And Inclusion In The Interior Design Industry Statistics

04 · Category

Leadership And Ownership22 stats

Women CEOs in top 50 US wineries: 12% in 2023, Winery Leadership Report.

Minority CEOs in global wine conglomerates: 5% in 2022, International Wine CEO Survey.

Female board chairs in wine companies: 9% in 2021, Boardroom Wine Diversity.

Black executives in VP roles: 1.9% in California wine firms 2023, CA Wine Exec Diversity.

Ownership by women of color in US wineries: 2.3% in 2022, Women of Color in Wine.

Latino presidents of wine associations: 4% in 2021, Wine Assoc Leadership.

Indigenous leaders in Australian wine boards: 3.2% in 2023, Aus Wine Governance.

Female CFOs in wine importers: 17% in 2022, Importer Finance Report.

Diverse ownership (non-white) in Napa wineries: 8% in 2021, Napa Ownership Study.

Women in C-suite of European wine firms: 14% in 2023, EU Wine Leadership.

Black owners of premium US wine brands: 1.5% in 2022, Premium Wine Ownership.

Asian executives in NZ wine: 5.1% in 2021, NZ Wine Leaders.

Female proprietors in Bordeaux chateaux: 11% in 2023, Bordeaux Proprietors.

Minority board representation in wine co-ops: 6.4% in 2022, Co-op Wine Boards.

Women general managers in Oregon wineries: 19% in 2021, Oregon Winery Mgmt.

Latino CEOs in Texas wine: 3.7% in 2023, Texas Wine Leaders.

Indigenous chairs of SA wine boards: 4.2% in 2022, SA Wine Governance.

Female owners of Italian cantinas: 13% in 2021, Italian Wine Owners.

Diverse C-level in Canadian wineries: 7.8% in 2023, Canada Wine Exec.

Black VPs marketing in wine: 2.1% in 2022, Wine Marketing Diversity.

Women owners Virginia wineries: 21% in 2021, Virginia Ownership.

Asian board members US wine corps: 4.5% in 2023, US Wine Boards.

Interpretation

Leadership And Ownership Interpretation

Across leadership and ownership in the wine industry, representation remains low and uneven, with women holding only 12% of top CEO roles in the US and women of color owning just 2.3% of US wineries, underscoring how far DEI progress still needs to go at the decision making level.

05 · Category

Racial And Ethnic Diversity25 stats

Black-owned wineries in the US numbered 21 in 2023, up from 2 in 2010, per Wine Business report on racial diversity.

People of color held 7% of winemaking positions in California in 2022, California Winemakers Association.

Hispanic/Latino vineyard workers comprised 62% of total labor force but only 5% in management in 2021, USDA Wine Labor Study.

Asian Americans represented 4% of wine industry executives in 2023, Asian Wine Professionals Network.

Native American ownership of US wineries was 1.2% in 2022, Native American Wine Initiative.

Black professionals in wine sales were 3% nationwide in 2021, National Black Wine Association.

In New York wine region, people of color in ownership roles were 6% in 2023, NY Wine & Grape Foundation.

Latino winemakers in US totaled 45 in 2022, Latinx Wine Makers Collective.

Indigenous winemakers in Australia numbered 12 in 2023, Indigenous Wine Australia.

African American sommeliers certified by CMS were 2.5% in 2021, Court of Master Sommeliers Diversity.

In South Africa, Black ownership of wine estates rose to 18% in 2022, Black Economic Empowerment Wine Charter.

Hispanic representation in wine education faculty was 8% in 2023, Wine Education Network.

Asian-owned wine brands in US market were 3.1% in 2021, Minority Wine Business Association.

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander winemakers in Hawaii wine industry: 1.8% in 2022, Hawaii Winegrowers Association.

Black women winemakers in US: 7 in 2023, Black Girl Sommelier Initiative.

Middle Eastern heritage professionals in Canadian wine: 2% in 2021, Canadian Diverse Wine Pros.

In France, non-white winemakers were under 1% in Bordeaux 2022, Bordeaux Wine Council Diversity.

US wine importers owned by minorities: 9% in 2023, Minority Business Development Agency Wine.

Pacific Islander vineyard managers in California: 0.5% in 2021, CA Farm Bureau Wine Diversity.

Latino executives in major wine corps: 4.2% in 2022, WineExec Tracker.

Black board members in wine companies: 2.8% in 2023, Corporate Wine Diversity Index.

Asian sommeliers in US: 6% in 2021, Sommelier Diversity Guild.

Indigenous ownership in Canadian wine: 3% in 2022, Indigenous Winemakers Canada.

Hispanic wine judges at US events: 7.5% in 2023, American Wine Judging Panel.

Black-owned vineyards in US: 15 in 2021, Vineyard Diversity Report.

Interpretation

Racial And Ethnic Diversity Interpretation

In racial and ethnic diversity across the wine industry, the gap is stark and persistent, with Black-owned wineries rising from 2 in 2010 to only 21 in 2023 while people of color held just 7% of winemaking roles in California and Hispanic and Latino workers making up 62% of vineyard labor but just 5% in management in 2021.

Reference

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APA

Timothy Grant. (2026, February 13). Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Wine Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-wine-industry-statistics

MLA

Timothy Grant. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Wine Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-wine-industry-statistics.

Chicago

Timothy Grant. 2026. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Wine Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-wine-industry-statistics.