Katrine Frey: Frey Vineyards
Northern Pomo Land, Ukiah, California
Katrina Frey helped found Frey Vineyards in 1980 with the (then) radical proposition that grapes be grown organically and wine be made without adding chemicals. Since that inception, she has committed herself to the production and expansion of the organic wine market nationally and internationally. Supporting community organizations through wine donations over the years, Katrina Frey actively sows seeds of hope for non-profits to thrive on the local and state levels. And, she continues to work as the CEO, ensuring that the decisions that are made reflect our brand identity, "For the Earth, From the Earth, Frey Vineyards."
Social justice and environmental preservation statement: As America's first Organic winery, we have spent over four decades committed to producing high-quality wines without any unwanted additives. We have been formative in creating an organic standard in viticulture, and we continue to champion winemaking that draws from the most ecologically sound agricultural practices. Frey Vineyards also became the country's first Biodynamic winery, pushing the envelope on wines made with only indigenous yeast from the grapes themselves. And finally, Frey Vineyards is the proud producer of the Kwaya Cellars wines. The Kwaya wines are the dream of Nicky Coachman-Robinson, a long-time friend of Frey Vineyards, who wanted to create organic wines that celebrate African culture ("Kwaya" is the Hausa word for seed, and the logo is an Adinkra symbol expressing the perseverance of seeds) and the promise of unity (5% of all Kwaya wines profits go to a "Bridges of Hope," Nicky's alma mater and a residential alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation program).