"Paving a Path Forward"

The Big Sip

Victoria Coleman is currently the Director of Winemaking and winemaker for Lobo Wines. While she passionately loves this industry, it wasn’t always on her radar. Originally, Victoria was studying Computer Science but was exposed to the world of wine through a friendship founded in Mexico while on vacation. Needing a change of scenery, she moved out of Seattle and headed to Napa to take a chance on love and explore the wine industry, getting her feet wet as an administrative assistant at Stags Leap. Shortly after, a breakup put her at a crossroad point—go back home and continue focusing on Computer Science or stay and really harness this passion for wine, and a different, newfound love in Napa—the vineyard. Now entering her 17th vintage, Victoria's passion for winemaking continues to be inspired by those who were here before her and those who will come next. Not only was Victoria the first black woman to enter UC Davis’s Wine & Viticulture program, she’s also worked alongside some of the greatest mentors in the industry, like Michael Silacci and Celia Welch, and prior to COVID had been traveling throughout China and Canada providing wine consulting and directing since 2010. Victoria is truly married to the vineyard and passionately believes this is where you have the biggest impact. While she focused on making 100% Cabs for a large portion of her time, Lobo is the first place where she’s been able to explore other grape varietals and discover her love for blends and rose’s. Winemaking has continuously sparked a passion in her that is now extending outside of herself and inspiring her family and nephews to see themselves in the industry. "I want people like me to see what I'm seeing and to taste what I'm tasting, so that inspires me to keep going." Currently, she is working to develop a program with a few other key BIPOC leaders in the industry to create scholarships for people of color to get a higher education in anything related to food and beverage, as well as mentorship, and continues paving a path forward. May you be inspired to pave your path and unapologetically pursuit that which sparks a fire inside your soul. Follow along on Instagram: @vc_davis | @lobowines