Vanguard of the Vines

A Bold Conversation on Black Winemaking & hospitality

🗓️ Saturday, August 16, 2025
🕑 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Announced soon | Martha’s Vineyard

You are cordially invited to join us for Soul of Sonoma’s sixth year on the Vineyard—a highly anticipated celebration of Black excellence in wine.

This year, we proudly present the premiere of “Vanguard of the Vines: A Bold Conversation on Black Winemaking,” a compelling seated tasting and panel discussion that puts the spotlight on some of the most trailblazing voices in the wine world today.

An unforgettable afternoon of libations, leadership, and legacy

POWERHOUSE PANEL

Join Michelle Rice as she leads a compelling conversation on P.A.T.H.—Pledge for Advancement and Transparency in Hospitality, and Stephanie Browne as she sits down with Black winemakers to unpack the challenges and triumphs of today’s economic landscape.

• Cocktail Reception featuring @shinjuwhisky

• Vintner-Led Tasting with pairing bites

• Great Music & Vibes

• Changemakers & Industry Voices

Early Bird Theater Ticket ($165) / Standard Theater Ticket ($185) - Includes Tasting and Panel Discussion.

December 29th (Champagne Brunch) - $175 PER PERSON

After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision not to host a Kwanzaa event in Los Angeles this year. However, we’re thrilled to invite you to the Kwanzaa Extravaganza Seven-Course Champagne Brunch hosted by Soul of Sonoma in Oakland, CA!

Kwanzaa, officially recognized in the 1960s, was created to empower and connect Black communities in the wake of the Watts riots. Its name, derived from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza” (meaning “the first harvest”), reflects a celebration of community, culture, and abundance. We are excited to honor this spirit by curating a bountiful harvest of gourmet dishes and champagne cocktails crafted by Black winemakers and spirits brands for our guests.

At the heart of this celebration is an unforgettable dining experience featuring dishes curated to showcase a unique take on cuisine inspired by the African diaspora, culminating in a communal meal that nods to the final night of Kwanzaa, Karamu. This traditional feast brings family and friends together to share in the joy of the season, enjoying dishes rooted in West African and Southern culinary traditions.

The menu for this exclusive brunch will include innovative riffs on classic dishes, such as Dirty Wild Rice Cake with Blackened Catfish Étouffée, Chicken with a Cornbread Waffle, and more.

We look forward to celebrating Kwanzaa with you in Oakland and sharing this incredible culinary journey.

2024 SOUL OF SONOMA ON THE VINEYARD

by Air, Land, & Sea

Soul of Sonoma on the Vineyard is commemorating it’s fifth year with a five-course wine pairing on Saturday, August 10, 2024. This exclusive event will showcase a meticulously curated selection of exciting premium wines from Black winemakers paired with a seasonal tasting menu inspired by the African diaspora.

Guests are invited to wine and dine al fresco at a private location on Martha’s Vineyard. Experience farm-to-table fare and an exciting chef-driven five-course tasting menu for the ultimate wine and foodie experience. Award-winning wine will be paired with locally sourced ingredients to craft a unique tasting experience.

Each tasting course will correspond with the theme of Air, Land, and Sea. Featured wines from Black winemakers will be accompanied by wine education. Guests will network at an opening reception and enjoy opulent tablescapes while celebrating Soul of Sonoma on the Vineyard’s fifth event. Soul of Sonoma by Air, Land, and Sea will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 3 PM to 7 PM. Elegant and culturally festive Vineyard attire is suggested.

Two Seatings: December 28th and 29th at 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

This holiday season Soul of Sonoma is teaming up with 1010 Wine & Events to host the first Kwanzaa Extravaganza seven-course wine pairing dinner! Kwanzaa was officially recognized as a holiday in the 1960s to empower and connect Black communities after the wake of the Watts riots, so it’s fitting that we host this elegant inaugural event at the first black-owned and only wine bar in Inglewood, CA. Kwanzaa's name ties back to the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," meaning the first harvest. And we look forward to curating a bountiful harvest of gourmet food and delicious wine from black winemakers for Kwanzaa Extravaganza guests! The Kwanzaa Extravaganza seatings are planned for December 28th and 29th at 6:00 PM.

At the heart of this Kwanzaa celebration is delicious food prepared by four Los Angeles area chefs. The dinner will feature a unique take on cuisine that embraces and celebrates the African diaspora. The dinners will give a nod to the final night of Kwanzaa, where family members and friends gather together for Karamu, enjoying dishes from West African and southern culinary traditions. The menu will include riffs on traditional dishes such as black-eyed peas and rice, gumbo, jambalaya, collard greens, and other favorites.

Join us in the Garden!

2023 SOUL OF SONOMA ON THE VINEYARD

Soul of Sonoma on the Vineyard is an exciting wine tasting event held during one of the most popular and busy weeks on Martha's Vineyard and tickets sell out quickly! This year guests will be treated to wine tasting amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Dr. Daniel Fisher House and Gardens harmonized with music and art. The idyllic venue will provide the perfect backdrop for wine enjoyment and networking with new and old friends. We look forward to welcoming wine lovers in picturesque Edgartown to partake in an exceptional array of curated wine selections at the 2023 Soul of Sonoma on the Vineyard, on Saturday, August 12th, from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

Grapes on the Green: A golf tournament, a wine tasting event, a wine-tasting and a “Classic Cookout” are among activities planned at Langston Golf Course on Juneteenth! Event benefits Langston Golf Course revitalization and the Langston Junior Boys and Girls Club.

When, where: June 19, 2023, Langston Golf Course

Admission: $200 for the golf tournament; $95 per person for the spectator ticket and wine-tasting event.

VIEW THE 2021 SOUL OF SONOMA ON THE VINEYARD RECAP VIDEO

2021 SOUL OF SONOMA ON THE VINEYARD

We are excited to announce that this year we will host a streetscape format held throughout selected blocks of downtown Vineyard Haven. This will allow individual attendees and small groups to socially distance to the extent they feel most comfortable. Attendees will enjoy an afternoon of wine tastings, great food, retail therapy, and much more. Wine lovers will sample wine from award-winning wineries at featured tasting venues.

Sunday, February 14, 2021
5 PM to 7 PM EST

To celebrate Valentine’s Day SoS will host a virtual wine tasting for couples seeking some great interactive conversations and develop their wine tasting palette through a guided tasting with our sommelier. We will be tasting an exclusive four-bottle bundle from Legs Wine Company that toasts to the fruit of California winegrowers’ labor. Each Legs Wine Company bottle label was designed using a different African batik cloth motif while the elements of the wine are conveyed through the theme of a specially selected R&B ballad. We can’t wait for you to try this soulful wine!

Tickets are $99 + Wine Bundle

Sommelier, Jaryd Spann
Music by DJ Mixxed

**WINE MUST BE PURCHASED SEPERATELY**

The tasting will feature selections from the Legs Wine Company. Here’s how to participate:

1. Purchase your event tickets

2. Order your Legs Wine Company Bundle

Partial proceeds support Langston Golf Course Conservancy programs.

Let's close out 2020 for GOOD!

Join Soul of Sonoma on December 31, 2020 from 5 PM to 7 PM EST for wine trivia, a live DJ, and of course... WINE TASTING! Virtual tasting tickets are $65 and includes an SoS Party Kit. (Multi-person households may add additional SoS Party Kits).

Tasting will feature selections from the McBride Sisters Wine Collection. Here’s how to participate:

1. Purchase your event tickets ($65 includes a SOS Party Kit for one).

2. Order your McBride Sisters Collection Winter Vibes 6-Pack (Use code EXTRA15 for $15 off expedited shipping) today! Winter Vibe 6-Pack s is currently on sale for $124.39!

McBride Sisters Collection Winter Vibes 6-Pack must be ordered separately by December 20, 2020 to help ensure timely delivery. Receive $15 off expedited shipping by using CODE: EXTRA15.

Wine tasting will be led by sommelier Jaryd Spann and music is by DJ Mixxed. Partial proceeds support Langston Golf Course Conservancy programs.

Join Soul of Sonoma for a day in northern Virginia’s wine country to enjoy private tastings, food, and fun at the hillside boutique winery Delaplane Cellars, majestically positioned against the side of Lost Mountain. Guests will also get to enjoy a "fireside chat" with Delaplane Cellars co-ower Nicholas Jordan. Guests have the option to depart and arrive by chartered transportation.

EVENT POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19 CONTAINMENT EFFORTS!

VIEW THE 2019 SOUL OF SONOMA ON THE VINEYARD RECAP VIDEO

Now in its second year, Soul of Sonoma (SoS) on the Vineyard is becoming one of Martha’s Vineyard’s most anticipated annual premium wine and epicurean classics. The event, will be held Saturday, August 10, 2019, and will serve as a unique opportunity to share in the love of all things culinary paired with wine from several premium award-winning black-owned vineyards. This year's theme "La Vie en Rose" will showcase our love for rosé wine--especially in the summer months. Guest are asked to wear hints of blush and pale rose to mark the occasion.

Local Chef Deon Thomas will be preparing culinary delights to pair with your winetasting experience. Winemakers from Charles Woodson Wines and Theopolis Vineyards (among others) will be on hand to share their knowledge and guide guests through their winetasting experience.

Guests will move through a progressive tasting from black-owned vineyards; including a selection of favorites picked by Soul of Sonoma’s founder Patrice Davenport. Attendees will enjoy the ways in which food and wine work together to intensify the tasting experience. We will be highlighting our favorite rosés as well.

VIEW THE 2018 SOUL OF SONOMA ON THE VINEYARD RECAP VIDEO

Soul of Sonoma (SoS) on the Vineyard is slated to become one of Martha’s Vineyard’s most anticipated annual premium wine and epicurean classics. The event, scheduled for Saturday, August 11, 2018, will be a unique opportunity to share in the love of all things culinary paired with wine from some of California's premium award-winning black-owned vineyards.

The historic town of Oak Bluffs will provide a unique backdrop of both beauty and an unparalleled cultural legacy. The venue is on the grounds of Farm Neck Golf Club--a world renowned semi-private golf course where former U.S. presidents can often be spotted swinging off the tee. Farm Neck is a hidden gem not far from the bustle of the island’s downtowns.

And the wine, you ask? There’ll be plenty of that on tap: Guests will begin with sparkling selections and move to a vertical tasting of at least four premium Northern California wines from black-owned vineyards; and a tasting of favorites as selected by Soul of Sonoma’s founder Patrice Davenport. Attendees will enjoy the ways in which food and wine work together to intensify the tasting experience.

We would like to personally invite you to join us at the inaugural SoS on the Vineyard and hope to see you in August!