J’nai Gaither

Napa-based wine writer, judge, educator and speaker

A smiling Black woman with long black braids, a while long-sleeved tee and she's holding a wine glass near her mouth and is wearing fuchsia lipstick. Sunlit greenery is boca-ed behind her

Freelance journalist J’nai Gaither is always foraging for the next best food and beverage story. She writes features, explainers, tasting notes, interviews and deep dives. Most recently, she served as the Sonoma correspondent for Decanter Magazine and a staff editor for Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Her words have graced the pages of Plate, Eater, AFAR, Full Pour Magazine, Michelin, Vinepair, Dining Out Chicago, New York Magazine’s Grub Street and others. J’nai has also contributed to Kelli White’s Wine Confident and Karen MacNeil’s third edition of the bestselling The Wine Bible. And this accomplished speaker joined the Black Wine Guy Experience podcast as a guest on Nevertheless She Persisted. How J’nai Gaither Became the First Black Editor for Wine Enthusiast.

J’nai has judged for the International Wine Challenge since 2022. She reached WSET Level 3 and is currently studying for her Master of Champagne through the Wine Scholar Guild. Outside of tasting and reporting on wine, she enjoys travel, fine dining, playing the cello and practicing her professionally proficient Mandarin Chinese. When not consuming copious amounts of champagne and burgundy, she’s usually planning her next meal while listening to opera.

IG: @champagneandreservations    LI: @jnaiwillwriteforwine

 

Three people stand before a banquet table. Two are white: the man wears a black suit and the blonde woman a white top and black skirt. To the left is J'nai, a beautiful Black woman. She's wearing a lime-green dress with massive shoulders and has a "knight of champagne medal around her neckDame Chevalier Ordre Coteaux Champagne

She is passionate about burgundy and champagne, and has been awarded The Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne (Knight of Champagne) in Reims, France. Founded by three aristocrats from the Court of Louis XIV, this institution has promoted champagne wines in all their diversity since 1656. This award has honored fewer than 5,000 people over the last four centuries for their lifelong promotion of champagne and overall contributions to the world of wine.

J’nai is also a Dame d’Escoffier, International, an honor given to leading women in the food, beverage and hospitality industries.

Wine writing

 

Industry news and culture 

 

 

J’nai’s food and travel writing

Spirits and cocktail coverage

 

Food and wine copywriting

As a copywriter, J’nai shares food and wine stories in a clear, compelling way. She has worked for brands including Sargento, Amy’s Kitchen and Grand Reserve Reward, and has held full-time roles at Edelman and GolinHarris. Her duties have included editing , branding, research, analytics, spearheading social campaigns, creating training modules and captaining a 15-person team.

  • Breyers Ice Cream
  • Dairy Management
  • Discover card
  • Hodo
  • Johnsonville Sausage
  • Lipton Tea
  • Magnum Ice Cream
  • McDonald’s
  • Mountain Dew
  • Modelo Especial
  • Mushroom Council
  • Popsicle
  • Silk Almondmilk
  • Stoli Vodka
  • Unilever Food Solutions