Towns Wine Co
Western Cape
Towns Wine Co. aims to amplify underrepresented voices in the wine industry by producing wines that share stories the world needs to hear.
The group partners with female winemakers of color to help tell their stories and showcase their talent and regions. This partnership not only promotes diversity and inclusion within the wine industry but also empowers and supports underrepresented groups in winemaking. Subsequently, all proceeds are reinvested back into their partner winemakers, providing them with a reliable platform. This support contributes to the growth of their businesses and economic empowerment, causing positive ripple effects on their families and communities.
Towns Wine Co.’s approach demonstrates how businesses can play a role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in their industries. By supporting female winemakers of color and reinvesting in their companies, we are contributing to a more inclusive and thriving wine community while creating unique wines that reflect diverse perspectives and cultures.
Wines
Inkwell Pinot Noir
Overburg
Inkwell, Towns Wine Co.’s first release, is a limited run of high-quality Pinot Noir from Overberg, South Africa. The wine expresses the unique site of Overberg with its shale-derived, clay-rich soils adding minerality and complexity in the final product. It is produced by a vineyard manager and cellar assistant from the highly lauded winery of Hamilton Russell.
More on Towns Wine Co Inkwell Pinot Noir
“Only 1% of US wineries are Black-owned. These entrepreneurs want to change that.” – CNN
October 5, 2023 - Alicia Towns Franken, President of Wine Unify and Towns Wine Co, was recently honored at the Aspen Food and Wine Festival's 'Black on Black' event, honoring Black leaders in the…
Alicia Towns Franken Honored as a Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Tastemaker for 2023
October 5, 2023 - Glowing about Wine Unify, Alicia Towns Franken was honored by one of Wine Enthusiast's top annual awards. Read through her description for the award here.
“Why Industry Professionals Are Rethinking the Language of Wine” – SevenFifty Daily
October 5, 2023 - To become more inclusive and accessible, a growing industry movement is questioning traditional, often Eurocentric wine descriptors both in the classroom and on the floor. In this article, Alicia Towns…
Listen to Alicia Towns Franken on Levi Dalton’s “I’ll Drink to That”
October 5, 2023 - Notable wine interviewer Levi Dalton recently sat down with Alicia Towns Franken for his famed podcast, "I'll Drink to That". Listen to the full episode here.
People
Alicia Towns Franken
Alicia her career as the Wine Director for Boston’s famed Grill 23 & Bar, where she worked for over a decade to build one of the city’s most respected wine programs. During her tenure as Wine Director, she earned numerous accolades from organizations and magazines including Boston Magazine, The Boston Globe, Les Dames d’Escoffier and Wine Spectator. Ultimately, though, her passion for building community, working to champion a more diverse wine industry, and innate talent for mentoring young wine professionals led her to take on the role of Executive Director for Wine Unify, an organization who’s mission is to welcome, elevate, and amplify the voices of underrepresented minorities in the wine industry.
