If there is one theme that unites this year’s Future 40 honorees across their many categories, it is advocacy—in every sense of the word. Advocacy for including people of all backgrounds in an industry that is struggling to find its footing in appealing beyond a traditional base as well as advocacy for the environment, advocacy for each other and advocacy for workers in the hospitality industry on which they all, in one way or another, depend. Get to know them on these pages and learn what they think about the current state and the future of the drinks space.
Tara Gomez
Cofounder & Cowinemaker, Camins 2 Dreams Lompoc, California
@tgomez805
Tara Gomez is constantly working toward a more inclusive wine industry. She’s an advisor for the James Beard Foundation Legacy Network Program, a member of the Hue Society and on the board of directors for The Vinguard. As a Native American of the Chumash Tribe, Gomez says it’s important for her to uplift other marginalized groups and contributes to nonprofits such as Vino de Sueños, which assists struggling migrant agricultural workers. Further, Gomez, who works alongside wife Mireia Taribó, aims to create a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community both within her own business as well as through contributing to her local Santa Ynez Valley Pride and The Rainbow House Inc.
Stacy Buchanan
Founder, Blood of Gods Walla Walla, Washington
Who says heavy metal vibes and wine don’t mix? As the fifth generation of a wheat-farming family from Walla Walla, Washington, Stacy Buchanan found an almost alternate reality touring with Black Sabbath (along with Pantera and Queens of the Stone Age) on Ozzfest at the age of 20 and began to notice, as he says, “that the veil between almost any craft is much thinner than meets the eye.” Through the Blood of Gods zine and its annual Merrymaking event, he’s lifted that veil and shown that wine—even really good wine—needn’t be taken quite so seriously and has united artists, winemakers and musicians. “Separation is an illusion,” he says. “The passion, love and shared joy between any creative output is what joins us.”
Lindsay Malu Kido
Founder, Beer is for Everyone Las Vegas, Nevada
@malukido808
It’s evident Lindsay Malu Kido is all in with anything she sets their mind to. In 2014, she moved to Las Vegas to pursue a professional poker career—and has been doing just that ever since. However, Kido, a self-proclaimed “serial social entrepreneur,” is leading Craft Beer Girls, the world’s largest network connecting women who love craft beer. But perhaps most notably, Kido founded and runs Beer Is for Everyone, a nonprofit organization devoted to advocating for diversity, inclusion, equity and justice in craft beer. Through their work, Kido continues to fight for women and nonbinary folks in the industry and proves that beer is most definitely for everyone.
Dave & Lois Cho
Cofounder/Winemaker & Cofounder/CEO, CHO Wines Hillsboro, Oregon
@notyouraveragecho
Started during the pandemic, CHO Wines always had a clear division of duties: Dave handles all things wine, while Lois tackles all things non-wine. The very first Korean American winemakers in Oregon, the Chos are on a mission to champion Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) food and wine in the state (for starters). They celebrate the diverse and delicious contributions of local AAPI chefs and winemakers through a dinner series, thereby educating the public with non-traditional food and wine pairings. In three years, they have received numerous accolades, not only for their enthusiasm, but also for their spectacular wines.
