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Victoria Coleman didn’t grow up with wine on her dinner table, but that didn’t stop her from becoming Napa Valley’s first Black female winemaker—and one of the most respected names in the industry today. Her journey began in 2005, when she tasted her first batch of fermented juice and had a revelation: “Oh my God. This is so good. I did this.” From that moment on, she was hooked.
But Victoria’s path to winemaking wasn’t traditional. Originally from Seattle, she moved to Napa in 1998, following her heart and a relationship. With a background in tech, she faced a choice: restaurant work or winery work. She chose the latter, landing a job as a production assistant at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, where she had the chance to learn from the legendary Warren Winiarski—the man behind the wine that put Napa on the global map at the 1976 Paris Tasting.
Eager to master the craft, Victoria studied enology and viticulture at UC Davis, where she made history in 2008 as the first Black woman to graduate from the program. That same year, she met Randy Wulff, the vintner behind Lobo Wines. The two clicked instantly, and Victoria has been crafting Lobo’s celebrated wines ever since. Now, 17 vintages in, she’s still chasing that perfect balance of time, place, and technique.
Her winemaking style? Inspired by the Old World, but with a Napa twist. She honed her craft not just in California but also in Bordeaux, France, working at the prestigious Château Mouton Rothschild, and even spent a decade making wine in China. Today, she produces a full lineup of wines for Lobo, from bold Cabernets to elegant Pinot Noirs and rosé.
Victoria’s journey proves that passion, persistence, and a great glass of wine can take you anywhere. Join us in raising a glass to this trailblazer!
Sue
