Maiah Johnson Dunn tells heart-forward stories about wine.

about mjd

let’s collab

After a 13-year career in experiential marketing, Maiah Johnson Dunn transitioned to wine writing and educating in 2020.

As the Beverage Education Manager at New York Kitchen in Canandaigua, New York, Maiah’s focus is building a safe educational space for everyone to learn about New York’s craft agriculture – which includes wine. Her classes include Wine for Normals, Exploring Black Wines, and DEI Over Wine.

Outside the classroom, Maiah continues to tell heart-forward stories about (mostly New York) wine. Her most recent work can be found in CITY Newspaper, Decanter Magazine, and the recently published fifth edition of Jancis Robinson’s Oxford Companion to Wine.

Maiah is a 2023 Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Tastemaker honoree and a fellow of the Wine Writers Symposium at Meadowood Napa Valley. She is also the 2022 New York Wine & Grape Foundation Unity Awards Consumer Award recipient for her support of New York wines and 2024 Rochester Chamber of Commerce Colors of Success Inclusive Leadership Award Honoree.

She has plans to make wine with her husband, Andy (stay in the loop).

The Boston native lives (and loves) in Rochester, New York.

  • Maiah’s writing services can span the gamut of needs from long-form articles to recommendation lists and winery tasting notes. Need heart-forward storytelling? Send a note.

  • DEI Over Wine is a three-part series taught by wine writer & educator Maiah Johnson Dunn (she/her), and Rochester-area DEI Practitioner, Syd Bell (she/her).

    Maiah and Syd serve up diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts in actionable conversations paired with real-world examples. Together, we’ll dissect power and privilege and the importance of context, explore building inclusive spaces, and create a roadmap for active allyship. Looking to host a private session? Can’t wait to hear more.

  • Want to learn more about wine in the comfort of your own home? From virtual to in-person, join Maiah for a tour of wines curated to your personal preferences. Celebrating a bridal shower? Coordinating a team bonding session over wine? Let’s connect.

  • Looking to take a class, or to host one at New York Kitchen? Check out the website and reach out with more details about your needs.

  • Looking to build a strong list of New York wines for your restaurant or wine club? Reach out.

  • Have a couple extra dollars and want to help a new winery get off the ground? Let’s talk.