Julia Coney
Julia Coney | |
|---|---|
| Born | Texas and Louisiana, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, wine writer |
| Years active | Before 2016–present |
| Known for | Promoting diversity and inclusiveness in the wine industry; creator of Black Wine Professionals |
Julia Coney is a U.S.-based journalist and wine writer recognized for her efforts to promote diversity and inclusiveness within the wine sector. She penned a significant essay addressing racism in the wine industry and created Black Wine Professionals, a directory designed to boost representation in the field.
Early life
Raised in Texas and Louisiana, Coney pursued a degree in English literature during her college education.
Career
Prior to 2016, Coney's professional background included roles as a legal assistant and beauty blogger before she shifted her focus to wine writing, a passion she had long held. She has earned the WSET Level Two Certification in Wine and Spirits.
Her work centers on the relationship between wine and racial bias, with an emphasis on fostering equity and inclusion. In 2018, she authored an open letter titled Your Wine Glass Ceiling is My Wine Glass Box in response to Karen MacNeil's article that featured women in wine but overlooked women of color. This letter gained significant attention from Food & Wine and The Washington Post, marking a key moment in discussions about inclusivity within the industry.
Coney has openly recounted instances of microaggressions encountered in wine circles, such as servers directing her toward less expensive or sweeter options based on assumptions. She also reported receiving smaller tasting pours than white male counterparts and being surveilled by retail employees, underscoring persistent obstacles faced by Black professionals and consumers in the wine world.
Black Wine Professionals database
In 2020, Coney introduced Black Wine Professionals, a directory listing Black individuals working in the wine industry, created to improve diversity by offering event planners and tour organizers a valuable resource. The platform was developed after Coney often found herself as the sole Black attendee at tastings or sponsored events and noticed industry marketing budgets predominantly benefiting white influencers on social media. This initiative confronts industry "gatekeepers" who claimed they lacked connections with Black wine professionals. The database has since grown into a membership-based organization and collaborated with Laurent-Perrier to provide members with professional growth opportunities.
Personal life
Coney divides her time between Washington, DC and Houston, Texas. She is married.