Our Founders

Matt Grove

Matt emerged from the technology sector to co-found Dakota Beef, the USA’s first certified organic beef company in 2001. In 2014, Matt launched Eighth Wonder Wines, a Sustainable wine company producing wines from south Africa. Building on the success and following a dream inspired by his late Aunt, Dr. Marilyn Schultz, Matt founded Equality Vines with Jim Obergefell. Matt’s dear Aunt Marilyn, was a pioneer who realized that a proverbial “glass ceiling” blocked her career advancement opportunities. She was determined to shatter it.

It was 1971 when she led the class action discrimination suit against NBC and its affiliates that ultimately re-shaped the company and the corporate world. Dr. Schultz was the driving force behind the first class action lawsuit against NBC and all of its affiliates that called for equality in opportunity and pay for women. The successful verdict in the nearly 6 year fight paved the way for equal pay for women in the workplace.

An activist for women’s rights, “Aunt Marilyn” left a strong legacy. Her example embodies the spirit of Equality Vines.

Jim Obergefell

Jim, activist, author, and speaker, is the lead plaintiff from the landmark US Supreme Court marriage equality case Obergefell v. Hodges. He is a speaker on LGBTQ+ rights represented by Keppler Speakers and the co-author of Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality, published by William Morrow. Jim is also a producer on JustMarried, an in-development documentary series with related podcast and coffee table book. He is active in various capacities with several LGBTQ+ organizations, both nationally and in his home state of Ohio. Jim is working through the wine certifications offered by the Wine and Spirits Education Trust.

A Story Behind Each Bottle.
A Spirit That Inspires.

Welcome to the world’s first cause wine portfolio dedicated to equality for all people. A percentage of all proceeds from the sales of Equality Vines are donated or directed to partners in the ongoing fight for Equality for all.