In the world of wine, competition is fierce. This can often create barriers rather than bridges among sommeliers while also leading younger generations to view this field as inaccessible. I believe those of us in the wine and hospitality community have a responsibility to make our industry more supportive of those involved and more inviting to those trying to make their way in. It’s with this belief that the United Sommeliers Foundation was born.
As we enter the season of giving, I want to share some information about the foundation, our mission to support and strengthen the sommelier community, and how you can get involved.
About the United Sommeliers Foundation
We started the United Sommeliers Foundation (USF) during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic after witnessing the hardships wine professionals had to endure. From layoffs to personal struggles, we saw an urgent need for support in our community—and we weren’t the only ones. Since March 2020, USF has grown in remarkable ways. Thanks to our partners and donors, we are now able to provide personal resources and emergency financial aid on a year-round basis to sommeliers who find themselves in vulnerable and uncertain positions. USF also proudly offers the Debbie Lewis Scholarship, which is dedicated to helping women in wine pursue education and professional opportunities in the field.
Over the past four years, the USF has raised over $2.1 million, awarded $30,000 in scholarship funds, and aided 1,411 sommeliers and wine professionals across all 50 states. This impact is only possible because of people like you who understand the importance of fostering a resilient and inclusive sommelier community.
Get Involved: Emergency Relief and Annual Wine Auction
In the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton, the USF has opened emergency funding for wine and hospitality professionals whose employment and livelihood have been affected by these storms. Applications are open through November 30th. If you know anyone in need, please share the information and encourage them to apply!
Our 4th Annual United Sommeliers Foundation Wine Auction, in partnership with Zachy’s, will be held on November 4th-17th. This is our largest fundraiser of the year, and it’s a great opportunity for organizations and individuals to get involved with our mission. Last year we helping us to fund individual relief grants, restock our natural disaster cash reserve, and cover our low operating expenses. The preview for this year’s auction opens on November 6th on the USF Wine Auction page.
USF is a cause that is near and dear to my heart, and it’s been amazing to see the positive difference we’ve made in the lives of so many sommeliers in need. We know it’s not always easy to ask for help, so we strive to make USF a safe place for our community to turn to. By supporting each other, we can continue to cultivate a welcoming environment full of passionate wine professionals who are dedicated to uplifting one another as well as the industry we all love.
To learn more about the USF mission, impact, and how you can donate, visit unitedsommeliersfoundation.org.