Today we’d like to introduce you to Theodora Lee.
Hi Theodora, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Well, I am a full time partner at Littler Mendelson, and we have offices in Greenville, South
Carolina. I also am the Owner and Vintner of Theopolis Vineyards in Yorkville Highlands,
Mendocino County, California.
My interest in the wine industry began when I moved to California from Texas in the 1980s
when I was introduced to fine wine by my law firm mentors. Prior to that, I really did not drink
wine because my dad picked wild Muscadine grapes and made home brew. Given that
Muscadine was my first introduction to wine, and I found that sweet and syrupy wine nasty, I
really had no taste for wine until I moved to California in the ’80s, and learned about fine wine.
In the eighties when I began practicing law, there were no fax machines, emails, Wi-Fi, or other
means of electronic communications, so if I needed a law firm partner to review a brief or other
legal document, and that partner was at his/her weekend home, I would drive it to that partner’s
weekend home. While the partner reviewed the brief, I would be invited to stay for dinner, and
we would drink fine wine. Also, I was allowed to walk the vineyards. Given the fact that I
learned to drive on a tractor at the age of eight at my father’s cattle ranch that experience got me
interested in grape farming. At that point, I envisioned owning my own vineyard one day.
Having my own vineyard would allow me to combine my love for farming and the outdoors, and
become a grape farmer. Also, I fell in love with the wine lifestyle – great wine, great food and
being out in the vineyard.
To prepare myself, I took several viticulture classes at UC Davis Viticulture School, and learned
about viticulture in order to develop my own vineyard. However, California land is not cheap.
Although I looked at properties in Napa and Sonoma, I could not afford land in those locations.
My law firm and vineyard mentor suggested that I look at Mendocino County. So, in 2001, I
took the equity out of my home and purchased twenty acres in the Yorkville Highlands of
Anderson Valley in Mendocino County, and began developing my vineyard. That process was
intensive, as I had to do soil digs, clear the land, conduct land analysis to ensure the land was
suitable for grape growing. Finally, in 2003, I planted my vineyard, adopted my Greek name,
from pledging Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at Spelman College, and established Theopolis
Vineyards. So, my dream of being a grape farmer came to reality in 2003 when I planted five
acres of Petite Sirah grapes.
From 2003 until 2012, I was quite content being a grape farmer, plowing the land, pruning the
vines, fertilizing the vineyard, mowing, chopping, weed eating, erosion control, tying the shoots
up to T-posts, fruit thinning, and picking the grapes during Harvest. As any wine maker will tell
you, Great Wine starts in the Vineyard. That is why vineyard management is essential to
growing premium wine grapes. As a grower, I along with my vineyard manager are intricately
involved in all seasonal activities associated with the vineyard.
Initially, I sold my Petite Sirah to Carlisle Winery, Halcon Vineyards, and a few other premium
wineries. I was quite content simply being a grower. Indeed, Wine Critic Robert Parker bestowed upon wine made from grapes harvested from Theopolis Vineyards a stellar rating of
94-96 points, a spectacular showing for my first harvest in 2006. That put me on the map.
Then, in 2012, an ill-timed rain fell during harvest and I rushed to pick my grapes at 23 brix. The
buyer at that time (no longer Carlisle) had contracted for grapes at 25 brix, so they rejected the
entire lot. Faced with no one willing to purchase fruit at a lower brix level at the last minute, I
decided to have my fruit custom crushed. I then bartered to get the wine produced. Specifically,
I gave the winemaker half of my harvest for free, if, in turn, he would process the other half and
make my wines. So, that 2012 vintage was bottled in 2014. Fortunately, my 2012 Petite Sirah
received a gold medal from Sunset Magazine and soon thereafter, Theopolis Vineyards was
underway. Since then, we have consistently produced 90 + point, Best in Class, Double Gold
and Gold Medal wines.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have had major challenges both in my legal career and my wine business. To succeed in any
law firm, you must be able to develop business. As a black woman, it is quite difficult to
develop a big book of business as unlike many of my colleagues, who have been handed a book
of business, I have had to hustle to build a book but thankfully, I have develop longstanding
relationships which have sustained my legal practice.
As we are aware, racism exists in every facet of society, and the wine industry is no exception.
The wine industry is a white male dominated one. It has been very challenging finding
distributors and getting my wines in high end restaurants and wine bars. However, as a lawyer,
I have been fortunate enough to overcome many of these obstacles by having my law firm
partners introduce me to restaurant and bar owners, and that introduction has facilitated me
overcoming those hurdles. Even though I produce award winning wines, distributors still reject
doing business with me. Recently, one distributor told me he questioned the marketability of
one of my varietals. Despite consistent rejection, I keep pounding the pavement.
Looking back, I would definitely NOT state that it has been either a smooth or easy journey.
We’ve been impressed with Theopolis Vineyards, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I also find it rewarding to give back to the community. For me, it is important to prepare the
next generation, and to lift as I climb. In Law, I serve as an Advocate and Mentor for many
young lawyers. I currently serve as Co-Chair of Board of the Dallas Post Tribune, the oldest
Black-owned newspaper in North Texas. Also, I try to use my voice in the legal world and wine
space to make positive change and level the playing field. To ensure equality and inclusivity for
future generations, I created The Theopolis Vineyards Diversity Fund in the Department of
Viticulture and Enology at University of California at Davis. The Theopolis Vineyards
Diversity Fund provides one scholarship of up to $10,000 each year to students interested in
viticulture and enology and related research or managing a vineyard, with a preference for
women of color. The first recipient was Iona Joseph, who graduated in the Class of 2022 with a
Viticulture & Enology Major, and is now obtaining a graduate degree also from UC Davis. This
is one of a very few funds devoted to supporting actual vintners and winemakers.
I also work with other black female professionals in the industry to push Black excellence
through internships, scholarships, and other opportunities. I am happy to report that the wine
industry has changed a lot for the better in terms of gender, race, equity. However, much work
remains, and we have to keep pushing. We must continue to create opportunities for Black
female voices including sommeliers, wine educators, etc., but also by educating diverse persons
to become vineyard managers, wine makers or vintners.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
For me, happiness is a state of being and requires internal happiness. The key to being happy is
doing what I love and being grateful for the many blessings that God has provided in my life.
Life is not perfect, but it is all about keeping a positive attitude. I love to travel, and am
fortunate that I have been able to incorporate travel into my legal and wine careers. For
example, I speak at various legal conference around the globe, and just recently returned from a
speaking gig in Puerto Rico. I also love how wine brings people from all walks of life together
to create a community. I have been the wine host on board many wine cruises on
AmaWatrways. So, far I have hosted wine cruised in the Rhone Region and Burgundy Regions
of France. Last year, I served as the Wine Host on the cruise, Melodies
of the Danube where we cruised from Budapest to Prague. These cruises are amazing as we
start the week as strangers, and we left with a new village of friends created along the voyage. I
invite your readers to join me for the next one: A Taste of Bordeaux – Hosted by Theodora Lee
FEATURING THEOPOLIS VINEYARDS.
Pricing:
- Your Readers Can Use the CODE: THEOLIVE to get 10% Off and Free Shipping of our Wines to their homes in South Carolina.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theopolisvineyards.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theopolisvineyards
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theopolisvineyard/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodora-lee-03570a5/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM5di08RDvtYKMo-w8dkc9w/videos
- Other: theopatra@theopolisvineyards.com; https://www.theopolisvineyards.com/winebuzz
