RAM CELLARS

Portland, Oregon

Winemaking for Vivanne Kennedy, owner of Ram Cellars, prioritizes community within the wine industry as much as what’s in the bottle itself. Her wines are full of life and spirit, wrapped in beautifully bracing acidity that emphasizes the wonder of the cool climate Columbia Valley. As a queer and trans-owned winery, she ensures her work also aids in creating a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. Just one of the ways is by donating $3 per bottle of her Viv label to non-profits who provide support for the queer and transgender community (the 2022 vintage is partnered with Trans Lifeline). The name Viv was chosen not just as the shorthand for Vivianne, but also to symbolize the celebration of life, as borrowed from the French word vivre. In her words “With the extra life that I get, being able to exist fully and vibrantly, it’s important to me to use that time to do good for other queer and trans folks.”