The Lodi Appellation Inclusion Collective is a group of progressive Lodi wineries and professionals with a mission of increasing diversity in our region and the industry at large.
We are currently partnered with The Roots Fund, which was created to empower underrepresented minorities in the wine industry by providing resources and financial support through educational scholarships, wine education, mentorship, and job placement.
The Lodi Appellation Inclusion Collective (LAIC) is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization 86-3404752. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
The Work:
The Lodi Appellation is the largest wine grape growing region in the US with more than 110,000 acres and 100+ grape varieties and with more than 80 thriving tasting rooms today, we realize the potential of opening doors through hands on immersion and networking.
Many of us offer support through donations and volunteering and of course, that’s important but LAIC members are offering participants exposure across the spectrum of the wine industry by engaging in face to face, hands on work with participants.
The core of our work is our Enrichment Program.
The aim of the program is to make all who are interested, currently working in or think they might be interested in the wine industry comfortable with seeking opportunity.
Networking and mentorship are paramount to all of us in career and life development and a key LAIC focus is helping participants build their network through personal interaction with many winery owners, wine grape growers, marketing, wine history, hospitality, wine making, and winery finance professionals. We will develop long lasting relationships with continued support and mentoring.
LAIC members seek to increase diversity in their own businesses and will make under-represented communities and enrichment participants aware of career opportunities available at any given time.
Our most tangible measure of success will be the ongoing increase of diversity in the Lodi Appellation wine industry and the industry at large.
Our broader and perhaps more difficult goal to measure is expanding the network of each participant and one indicator will be the amount of follow up communication with our participants and the number of referrals we make to their benefit.
Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a member, offering financial support and most importantly, if you are seeking opportunity in the wine industry.