Known in the wine world as Theo-patra, queen of the vineyards, Theodora Lee was a San Francisco trial lawyer whose love of wine inspired her to enroll in viticulture classes at UC Davis. She founded her Mendocino County winery in 2003, and her Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, and Symphony (a rare white varietal) wines have been winning accolades ever since.
Theopolis Vineyards Theo-Patra’s Cuvée Cerise ($36) is absolutely lovely! It’s a blend of Mourvedre, Syrah, and Petite Sirah that warms your soul with cherry jam, vanilla, and baking spices.
In addition to making wine for almost 20 years and practicing law, Lee has been involved with many community-minded organizations. She is now in the process of establishing a scholarship fund at UC Davis – the Theopolis Vineyards Diversity Fund – to assist students that may understand and experience the barriers that she and others like her face in pursuing a career in the wine industry and vineyard management.
“As a Black woman who owns her own winery, when I show up to trade shows or to restaurants or distributors to pitch my wines, most people assume I work for the winery. When I tell them I am Theodora Lee, the owner and vintner of Theopolis Vineyards, they are shocked. However, I persevere and the award winning wines speak for themselves … Black women are the backbone of the Black community and were key contributors to the civil rights movement, and will be critical in creating a diverse and inclusive environment in this and every industry. We will not be denied. We are leaders and deserve a seat at the table.”
– Theodora Lee, Forbes
A strong, incredible woman deserves the best – even (and perhaps especially) when that means growing the grapes and making the best wine herself. We say to honor Theo-Patra, channel your inner diva and treat yo’ self to a divine bottle fit for an Egyptian queen! Cheers!
Witty Pairs 
Love your reporting and descriptions and need to find a few of her bottles!
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