Remy Drabkin: McMinnville, Oregon Mayor and Winemaker
By Passport Magazine November 2023
"Last year, Drabkin organized the first ever Oregon Queer Wine Fest, beginning what she and her fellow queer vintners feel is part of a larger movement.
David Lauer, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Bryn Mawr Vineyards in nearby Salem, Oregon, was among the participants in the inaugural Queer Wine Fest. “I absolutely loved being a part of it,” he says. “My family’s operation is quite a bit larger in scale than the majority of producers represented, and my queerness is more of an accoutrement to our operation than a central force as it is for many of my peers in attendance. That said, it’s so important to remind folks that queerness exists in every different aspect and generation of the wine industry, so I was honored to participate. I was provided the chance to meet and connect with so many people with whom I will continue to support and work with. It’s absolutely necessary to create spaces for fearless celebration and collaboration. Remy has provided us with that opportunity.” “Queer Wine Fest isn’t just a party,” she explains. “It’s a way to build intentional networks between LGBTQ+ wine professionals and to invite the broader community of wine drinkers to join us in making wine more accessible and representative of the diverse folks who make it.”