Ten years ago, a collective of young Black creatives and entrepreneurs in Harlem, New York, began fostering cultural connections through wine. Now, a decade and countless pours later, the Fine Wine Series has grown into the nation’s largest cultural wine experience.
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, the brand will commemorate its global impact and expansion with the return of its annual Fine Wine Festival. To celebrate the milestone of their flagship event, the brand cofounded by brothers Dozie Osondu and Buchi Osondu will take over New York’s Citi Field. In partnership with Live Nation Urban, it will debut its first-ever musical guest featuring a live DJ set curated by musical icon Jermaine Dupri.
Since its inception, Fine Wine Series has challenged the notion that wine is a marker of elitism by creating a welcoming space that uplifts Black and brown brands and enthusiasts. Between 2023 and 2024, the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) reported that Black-owned wineries and wine brands make up less than 1% (100 of 11,500) of the total number of wineries in the United States.
Through tastings, creative art installations, live music, and cultural panels, Fine Wine Series is doing its part to reimagine wine as an inclusive luxury.
Last year, the brand went international, hosting a Fine Wine Series activation in Cape Town, South Africa. Legacy brands such as Klein Goederust and industry newcomer, Aslina, represented the diaspora. The event celebrated the country’s wine routes, including the historic valleys of Stellenbosch, to the coastline of Hermanus, while underscoring how South Africa’s wines are a direct reflection of pride, resilience and centuries-old traditions to be savored with each sip.
Their stateside toast at Citi Field will be another effort in the brand’s mission to celebrate the intersection of culture and wines of the world. Guests will enjoy curated food pairings from Black chefs and Black-owned restaurants that push culinary innovation, pop-up art exhibitions and a fireside chat with featured brand owners sharing how they are shaking up the industry.
Along with vino notes, new musical harmony will be added to this year’s Fine Wine Festival through a curated DJ set from Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Jermaine Dupri.
“I’ve always appreciated a great glass of Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon — it’s timeless,” he said in an exclusive quote shared with Forbes. The Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee went on to share that, besides a great glass of wine, seeing Black-owned brands shine is what “really inspired” him to take part in this year’s festival.
“Just like in music, ownership and representation matter. We’ve shaped culture for decades, so it only makes sense that we’re claiming space in industries like wine, where our influence has been overlooked for too long. This Saturday, I’m making history as the first DJ to ever perform at the Fine Wine Series Festival at Citi Field — and I’m bringing an experience people won’t forget. It’s not just about sound or taste — it’s about presence and impact.”
As the Fine Wine Series raises a glass to its 10th year, the festival symbolizes more than just endless samples of Malbecs and Merlots. It represents the cultural journey one can embark on through each pour. From the vineyards of Elgin to the tasting rooms of Harlem, each bottle holds a tale of heritage. By spotlighting Black and brown-owned wines, the Fine Wine Festival affirms the rich taste of the diaspora, proving that wine is not just a luxury but a living, breathing aspect of cultural expression.
For event and ticket information for the Fine Wine Series’ annual Fine Wine Festival, visit FineWineSeries.com.