J’nai Gaither

Napa-based wine writer, judge, educator and speaker

J'nai Gaither, a Black wine writer with curly hair, faces the camera smiling. She's wearing a navy blue sleeveless dress, black glasses and red lipstick, and is holding a glass of champagne.

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 Karen MacNeil’s third edition of the bestselling The Wine Bible. And this accomplished speaker has been featured on podcasts, including Her Way, Winemaker’s Review and the Black Wine Guy Experience’s Nevertheless She Persisted: How J’nai Gaither Became the First Black Editor for Wine Enthusiast. She has also moderated a panel for the Association of African American Vintners celebrating Black women who have changed the world of wine.

J’nai is an international critic and judge, who continues to assess myriad wines each year. 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. She’s also learning French and is an aspiring pilot. 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 des Coteaux de Champagne

She is passionate about bubbly 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 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

 

Food and wine copywriting

As a copywriter, J’nai shares food and wine stories in a clear, compelling way. She 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.

  • Sargento
  • Amy’s Kitchen
  • Oceania Cruises
  • 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