24 to watch in 2024: Marreya Bailey, owner of Mad Marvlus Wines
Name: Marreya Bailey
Title or position: Owner and winemaker of Mad Marvlus
On the job since: 2021
Age: 35
Where she lives now: Santa Rosa
Why Marreya Bailey is someone to watch:
After ditching the unfulfilling corporate world in 2020, Marreya Bailey jumped feet-first into wine, initially clinching internships with Sonoma County winemakers like Martha Stoumen and Pax Mahle before launching her rule-breaking wine and cider brand, Mad Marvlus in 2021.
Today, Bailey is recognized as one of the most innovative producers in the co-ferments space, where she marries wild hybrid grapes, heirloom apples, pears, honey, herbs and other botanicals into delicious, palate-popping elixirs. Much of her fruit comes from Sebastopol’s EARTHseed Farm, the first Afro-Indigenous farm in Sonoma County.
A significant part of her focus is supporting and elevating fellow BIPOC and other underrepresented communities, which she hopes to accomplish through The Bathing Collective, a group she founded to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive future for the wine and food industries.
What others are saying about Bailey:
“Marreya doesn’t wait for opportunities to come her way, she seizes every moment with joyful, positive energy,” said Preeti Mistry, a chef and activist who’s collaborated with Bailey. “Marreya is not just on a mission to make her own wines and be a visible as a Black woman winemaker. She is a born leader that gets everyone around her thinking bigger.
“Her vision has always been focused on supporting others and creating community, which is the only way marginalized voices will be successful in this industry. Marreya’s not only driven, but one of the hardest working folks I know. Her commitment to bringing her visions to fruition is unwavering, so you’ll be seeing her even if you’re not looking.”
What Bailey says about looking ahead to 2024
“In 2024, I’m excited to see more successful, diverse entrepreneurships flood into the wine, beverage, food, and wellness industries. I’m also excited to continue surrendering to the universe so I can channel more magic and manifestation, future collaborations with friends, travel, experimentation, beautiful art and visions — anything that will allow me to shine my light brightest with others.
Life is a series of challenges, evolution, renaissance and learning. I’m ready for 2024’s palate cleanser!“
You can reach Staff Writer Sarah Doyle at 707-521-5478 or sarah.doyle@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @whiskymuse.
Marreya Bailey
Owner and winemaker of Mad Marvlus Wines
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