Lee, Theodora
c. 1962-present · Contribution: 2001-present
Vintner & Trial Lawyer
Founded Theopolis Vineyards in 2003 in Mendocino County's Yorkville Highlands while continuing a full-time career as a senior trial lawyer, becoming one of the few Black women to both own and personally make wine in the United States

Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Quick facts
- Born
- c. 1962
- Active since
- 2001
- Category
- Agriculture & Food
- Best known for
- Theopolis VineyardsAward-winning Petite SirahUC Davis diversity fund
Impact on the world
Lee became one of the very few Black women to both own a vineyard and personally make the wine, earning top critical marks. She built a pipeline for other women of color to follow into the industry.
Sources
- Forbes
4 more sources and references are available to members.
Related visionaries
Rideau, Iris
c. 1937-present
Opened Rideau Vineyard in 1997, believed to be the first winery in the United States owned and operated by a Black woman
McBride, Robin
c. 1974-present
Co-founded McBride Sisters Wine Company in 2005 with half-sister Andréa McBride John, building it into the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States by volume
McBride John, Andréa
1982–Present
Co-founded and serves as CEO of McBride Sisters Wine Company, which she built with half-sister Robin McBride into the largest Black-owned and largest women-founded wine company in the United States
McDonald, Edward Lee "Mac"
1942-present
Founded Vision Cellars in 1995, becoming one of the first Black-owned premium Pinot Noir labels in California, and co-founded the Association of African American Vintners in 2002 to expand Black participation in the wine industry