When The Vinguard became a social justice organization in 2018, our original mission was to empower women in the natural wine movement and address structural inequities that create gender discrimination. This is still a central part of our work but, we cannot fight for womxn without fighting for other marginalized groups. We believe that the entire wine industry, including natural wine, needs massive systemic change that eradicates deeply entrenched white supremacy, patriarchy, and elitism and its emphasis on domination, exploitation, exclusion, and winner-takes-all capitalism. Equality and equal opportunity are not enough; we must prioritize the needs and amplify the voices of all marginalized people. 

Above all, we need to put our planet and all the species that inhabit it first. Without thriving ecosystems, we will not survive. We began as a natural wine-oriented organization, and many of us choose to drink wines without additives or subtractions, but our primary concern is that vineyards are farmed without synthetics and restored to a natural ecological balance and fair treatment of workers. 

What's going on in the world impacts us. In addition to environmental degradation, global inequality of resources, and increased violence against BIPOC and LGBTQIA people, we've been further demoralized by the COVID pandemic. While some in the wine industry benefited over the last two years, the vast majority suffered, heightening the long-standing inequities. What can we do?

It's understandable why so many feel demoralized, but action kindles empowerment. We need to think less about our limitations and instead focus on our potential; every one of us can make a difference. Change starts at the grassroots level and in our own little corners of the world. As wine industry professionals, The Vinguard seeks to impact our field.