For close to 20 years, a dedicated group of black vintners and other industry members has worked to change the lack of diversity in the U.S. wine industry. With more Americans challenging systemic racism and looking to support black-owned businesses, the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) is hoping to highlight their members' hard work and excellent wines and encourage a new generation to see opportunity in wine.

Longevity Wines founder Phil Long couldn’t imagine his wine would be enjoyed beyond his own neighborhood when he and his wife Debra first started crushing grapes in their garage in Livermore, California, in 2003. Sixteen years later, the brand is teaming with Bronco Wine Company to distribute his California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon nationally.

Livermore Valley boutique winery Longevity is becoming a nationally distributed brand thanks to a new partnership between Longevity's owner-winemaker Philip Long and the Franzia family of Bronco Wine Co., one of the 10 largest U.S. wine producers.