Features of the Month

Check this page for the current and previous Features of the Month! Check the homepage for the lastest Feature!

[Mar 2023]

• Our Case Study of Iconic Napa Valley Wineries with a Change in Ownership and Their Women Winemakers.
  Nineteen iconic Napa wineries had a change in ownership since 2000. A woman currently holds the lead winemaking position at nine (47%) of these 19 wineries.
• What It’s Really Like to Be a Black Wine Professional. A complex history.
  Understanding history is important in understanding the hurdles and changing the narrative.

[Feb 2023]

• J. Lohr Fosters the Next Generation of Winemaking Talent.
  Kristen Barnhisel, white winemaker at J. Lohr, is central to a series of online sessions shadowing the winemaking team—and Barnhisel herself.

[Jan 2023]

• Kathy Joseph's Fiddlehead Grüner: Risk, Age and Wisdom.
  This trailblazing woman winemaker continues to push winemaking boundaries!

[Dec 2022]

• Dames of the Rogue.
  Meet the women influencing Southern Oregon wine

[Nov 2022]

• Sparkling Conversations.
  Read the riveting stories from California women winemakers who craft sparking wines.

[Oct 2022]

• Joel Gott Wines Partners with Feeding America for the upcoming holidays.
  Megan Schofield is Gott's newly appointed lead winemaker.

[Sep 2022]

• Black-Owned Wineries In California.
  Find wineries from Mendocino to Paso Robles
• Trailblazer Theodora Lee, founder of Mendocino County’s Theopolis Vineyards, mentors and leads..
  “I’m happy to say that now there is a lot of opportunity for women and people of color in the wine industry.”

[Aug 2022]

• An important experiment for the environment.
  Diana Snowden Seysses, a celebrated winemaker, is experimenting with refillable bottles.
• Wine Reviews: It takes a village.
  Read about the women winemakers of the Coonawarra in Australia and the secret of their success.

[Jul 2022]

• An unusual arrangement.
  Carole Meredith, a world-renown Professor, retired from UC Davis in 2003 and now she retires from winemaking.
• Meet Champagne House Perrier-Jouët’s First Female Cellar Master..
  Severine Frerson, 45, is just the eighth Perrier-Jouët’s cellar master since its founding in 1811, and the first woman to hold this position. Still today there are less then 10 women in the Champagne region who are cellar masters.

[Jun 2022]

• African American Vintners and a Powerful Word for the Future.
  Informative article by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher

[May 2022]

• Come to our Book Signing.
  Sunday, May 22, 1–3 pm, Books Inc. 301 Castro St., Mt View, CA. Featuring Carol Shelton Wines.
• Female Farmers: Which States Have the Most?.
  The proportion of women farmers is increasing, and many are also winemakers.

[Apr 2022]

• INSPIRE: A Celebration of Women in Wine.
  Renowned artist Mario Chiodo, known for his sculpture on social justice topics, is creating a long overdue monument on the theme of women's contributions and achievements to the wine industry. Chiodo is working in collaboration with Yountville Mayor, John Dunbar, and an Advisory Board.

[Mar 2022]

• Celebrating Women's History Month.
  Three Women Bring Special Recognition to Southern Italy’s Wine Regions of Irpinia and Sicily

[Feb 2022]

• A Valentine's Odyssey.
  California's "Camins 2 Dreams" winemakers, Tara Gomez and Mireia Taribó, bring together their two cultures in friendship, love, and award-winning winemaking.

[Jan 2022]

• Women Winemakers of Loudoun County in Northern VA.
  Melanie Natoli, named 2017 Woman Winemaker of the Year at the Women’s International Wine Competition is among the three winemakers.
• One Hope Wines.
  Its winemaker, Mary Wells Coyle, describes ways One Hope Wine is attempting to make a difference in areas of societal importance, such as breast cancer.

[Dec 2021]

• Here Are the Names and Words You Will be Hearing in 2022.
  An informative and fun article by Dorothy J. Gaiter & John Brecher of Grape Collctive.

[Nov 2021]

• Tara Gomez named winemaker of the year by VinePair.
  Hailing from the coastal Santa Ynez Valley in California’s Santa Barbara County, Tara Gomez makes wine with culture and place in mind.
• Meet the Wonderful Women Winemakers of Maryland.
  A growing number of Maryland's 60+ wineries have a women winemaker.

[Sep 2021]

• Adjusting to the New Normal: Conversation with Wine & Soul's Sandra Tavares.
  Sandra Tavares is one of Portugal's rising stars.
• Women and Revolution (WaR).
  Meet the female collective in Australia disrupting the wine industry's status quo

[Jul 2021]

• Salud! Spain’s female winemakers use their intuition to rise to the top.
  Marta Casas and María Elena Jiménez, sisters-in-law, lead the winemaking at Parés Baltà in Penedès.
• Carbon Capture During Fermentation.
  Diana Snowden Seysses of Burgundy's Domaine Dujac and Napa's Snowden Vyds explains how producers can become key players in the future of green fuel.

[Jun 2021]

• Cattleya: A Woman’s Touch.
  The Prince of Pinot describes the wonderful Pinots of Bibiana González Rave.
• Pathways to wine:.
  Theresa Heredia, Shannon O’Shaughnessy and Tami Lotz each had her own unique — and sometimes circuitous — path to the wine industry.

[Feb 2021]

• From La Transmission to Les Fa'Bulleuses.
  Women who are taking their places in Champagne’s leadership!

[Dec 2020]

• Our Newest Study.
  California's Next Generation Lead Women Winemakers and the Promise that Accompanies Their Success
• Q & A with Lucia and John Gilbert, Authors of Women Winemakers: Personal Odysseys.
  Interview with Christopher Barnes of Grape Collective.

[Sep 2020]

• Book Review.
  Mike Veseth, Editor of The Wine Economist, writes that "Women Winemakers: Personal Odysseys" makes a distinctive contribution to our understanding and appreciation of global wine.

[Aug 2020]

• Distinguished Wine Writer Miquel Hudin Gives “Women Winemakers: Personal Odysseys” a Positive Review.
  “A well-researched, detailed text that covers key women in various wine regions throughout the world by letting them speak directly with their own voices.”
• Esteemed Trail-Blazing Women Winemaker Milla Handley Dies at 68.
  Milla was the “Pioneer Queen” of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir and Handley Cellars Founder.

[Jul 2020]

• The Rise of American Wine Pioneer Tonya Pitts.
  An early advocate for featuring women and people of color on wine lists.

[Jun 2020]

• Champagne AR Lenoble Trying to Celebrate 100 years in a Pandemic.
  The fearless leader of this family-owned house is Anne Malassagne.

[May 2020]

• Michael Perlis: Women Winemakers.
  Thoughtful commentary about the importance of our website and our new book, Women Winemakers.

[Apr 2020]

• Allison Levine, Please The Palate: Celebrating women winemakers.
  Meet Santa Barbara County's women winemakers. They are celebrating their 4th International Women's Day as a group!
• Eileen Crane of Domaine Carneros soon retiring.
  For the past 33 years, she has been the guiding, creative hand at its helm.
• Bibiana González Rave.
  A talented young winemaker creates a life-affirming Rosé.

[Mar 2020]

• UC Davis Professor Hildegarde Heymann receives prestigious American Society for Enology and Viticulture’s (ASEV) Merit Award.
  UC Davis ProfessorAnn Noble paved the way. Noble was the first woman to receive this award in 2006.

[Dec 2019]

• Napa's Francoise Peschon.
  SF Chronicle's 2019 Winemaker of the Year

[Nov 2019]

• Trailblazer Helen Turley named to California Hall of Fame.
  She is the third California winemaker and the first woman winemaker to be inducted.

[Oct 2019]

• When to pick.
  Willamette Valley winemakers weigh in on harvest strategies

[Aug 2019]

• Women Winemakers in the Piemonte-Langhe: The "Curse" Upended.
  This article describes our conversations with 10 talented winemakers in this important wine region of Italy.
• Jancis Robinson.
  An interview about her latest book and its importance.

[Jul 2019]

• California Trailblazer Carol Shelton tells her story.
  It never occurred to her that women could not be winemakers.
• Kristen Barnhisel Confirmed as ASEV President for 2019-2020.
  Kristen is the white wine maker for J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines.

[Jun 2019]

• Laura Catena, Argentinian winemaker and physician, speaks at UC Davis.
  “How Science Can Preserve the Ancient Art of Winemaking”
• Take part in an international climate study.
  Laure de Rességuier talks about the LIFE-ADVICLIM project and Act for Change.

[May 2019]

• An Important, Creative Philanthropic Endeavor with Geodesy Wine.
  Judy Jordan, former owner of J Winery, gives back by supporting women's future.
• Drinking responsibly.
  Resources on the health benefits of wine.

[Apr 2019]

• Innovation + Quality 2019 Announces Zelma Long as Recipient of Lifetime Innovator Award.
  The first woman to receive the award!
• Pam Starr is on "a journey of terroir".
  The co-owner and winemaker of Crocker & Starr explains ...

[Mar 2019]

• Familia Torres and Jackson Family Wines Join Efforts to Create Working Group of Wineries to Decarbonize the Industry.
  An effort led by Katie Jackson.

[Feb 2019]

• From La Transmission to Les Fa’Bulleuses: Femmes de Vin Advancing Champagne.
  Women are bringing about significant change in this traditional wine region.
• MaryAnn Graf, California's first woman winemaker of the modern era.
  Learn about her life and legacy.

[Jan 2019]

• An Exclusive Interview with Cathy Corison.
  This trail-blazing winemaker always surprises with her wisdom about the wine industry.

[Oct 2018]

• Young women leading the way.
  Megan Glaab, Jaimee Motley, and Angela Osborne considered among the four most innovative winemakers in California by Jon Bonné.
• Diana Snowden Seysses Brings a Burgundian Mindset to Napa:.
  She crafts wine in both France and California.

[Sep 2018]

• Veteran Winemaker Pam Starr of Crocker & Starr.
  At long last, her own "Venato" designed winery.

[Aug 2018]

• Napa's Cathy Corison continues to lead.
  A thoughtful and engaging description of Corison's career in wine-making.

[Jul 2018]

• In Champagne, a third woman appointed Chef de Cave.
  The highly capable Séverine Frerson holds this position at Piper-Heidsieck.

[Jun 2018]

• The Inspiring and Iconic Women Winemakers of New Zealand's Hawke's Bay Wine Region.
  (We authored this article)

[Apr 2018]

• At Some of Europe’s Oldest Family Wineries, the Future Is (Finally).
  WOMEN
• Merry Edwards is still full of surprises.
  One of California’s Wine Pioneers continues to teach us.

[Mar 2018]

• New Zealand's`Women in Wine' group.
  Its goal is to support female advancement in the industry

[Feb 2018]

• Karissa Kruse is Sonoma County Winegrowers First Female President.
  She and her predominately female team are leading the way to Sonoma's becoming America’s first 100% certified sustainable wine region.
• A Career in Vineyard.
  Maria Echavarria of Porter Creek Vineyards tells her story.

[Jan 2018]

• Interested in Becoming a Winemaker?.
  Elizabeth Vianna, a well-know winemaker in Napa, shares her thoughts.

[Dec 2017]

• The Women Working to Bring Diversity to Champagne.
  In France’s Champagne region, the number of female winemakers can be counted on two hands.
• Julianne Laks retires from Cakebread Cellars.
  A highly regarded winemaker, Laks was appointed winemaker in 2002; her successor is Stephanie Jacobs.

[Nov 2017]

• Finding Grace.
  How a meeting in Nepal led Helen Kiplinger to wine making in Napa Valley.

[Oct 2017]

• 7 Tips from Jancis Robinson for Women in Wine.
  Advice from this world-renowned wine critic to the next generation.

[Aug 2017]

• The Daily Meal's 101 Best Wineries in American 2007.
  Of the 62 CA wineries listed, six (10%) have women winemaker/owners, a viticulturist/owner, or lead women winemakers: Cathy Corison (#3 on the list of 101); Genevieve Janssens and Megan Schofield, Robert Mondavi Winery; Helen Kiplinger; Annie Favia; Montse Reece, Pedroncelli Cellars; and Elysze Perry, Bokisch Vineyards. Congrats to all!
• Top U.S. Universities Offer Degrees in Enology and Viticulture.
  Three of the 6 described here are in California.

[Jul 2017]

• Walla Walla Women Winemakers Challenge the Status Quo.
  Read about our visit and what we learned.

[Jun 2017]

• California's Trailblazing Women Winemakers: The First 20 Years.
  Celebrating our history from 1965 to 1984.
• Trailblazer Milla Handley Retires.
  The first woman winemaker/owner in CA with her name on a winery label (1982).

[May 2017]

• WINE WOMEN in the News.
  Its programs advance women's careers in the wine industry.

[Apr 2017]

• Celebrating the Walla Walla Women of Wine Calendar.
  Their women winemaker history begins closer to 2000.

[Mar 2017]

• Women Working in the Wine Industry.
  A leading winemaker from the state of Washington shares her views.

[Feb 2017]

• The Women Leading Portugal's New Douro.
  Our engaging conversations with award-winning winemakers

[Jan 2017]

• Annie Leibovitz’s work inspired:.
  A handsome calendar toasting Walla Walla women winemakers.
• Rosemary Cakebread.
  She helped bring Napa Valley Cabernet to prominence.

[Dec 2016]

• Wine Words: Women in Wine.
  Additional pioneering visionaries from Sonoma appear on this website under Winemakers A-Z.

[Nov 2016]

• Wine Spectator's Four Decades of Wine.
  Women's contributions slowly increase in visibility.
• Aimée Sunseri, Lead Winemaker at Nichelini.
  A family tradition across 5 generations.

[Oct 2016]

• Wine Women, a nonprofit focused on advancing women’s careers.
  Partners with Wine Competitions Mgmt. & Prods.

[Sep 2016]

• 16 Top Women in Liquor and Wine.
  Interesting interviews with Napa winemakers, Cathy Corison, Pauline Lhote, and Erin Miller, among others.
• Remembering Mary Weber Novak.
  The inspiring Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery Founder

[Aug 2016]

• Another First for Women in Wine.
  Sarah Crowe named Winemaker of the Year at the prestigious Australian Wine Awards.

[Jul 2016]

• With vision and perseverance, California winemaker scores with South African wine.
  Samantha O'Keefe took a major chance on a winemaking career.

[Jun 2016]

• Femmes et vins de Bourgogne.
  In 2000, six women wine makers from family domains in Burgundy, France – Anne Parent, Anne Schussler, Mireille Desmonet, Chantal Michel Tortochot, and Virginie Taupenot founded Femmes et vins de Bourgogne. Today there are 38 members.
• WINE WOMEN.
  A new non-profit championing the advancement of women's careers in the wine industry officially launches on June 21. Partners for the celebratory welcome are Boisset Collection, at DeLoach Vineyards in Santa Rosa, and the International Women’s Wine Competition.

[May 2016]

• Hillary Sjolund, Wine Boss.
  UC Davis grad leader in Washington

[Apr 2016]

• Facts and figures from our on-going research.
  Just updated!

[Mar 2016]

• Wine, women, & wisdom in Tuscany.
  The birth of the Prime Donne Project

[Feb 2016]

• The “grape goddess 3-day rule”.
  Expert female-led panel uses more reliable 100-point system in wine ratings.

[Jan 2016]

• France's Champagne Region.
  Behind many great champagnes is an ever greater woman.

[Dec 2015]

• Gina Gallo.
  Irrepressible leader of E. & J. Gallo Winery, Sonoma
• Delia Viader.
  Irrepressible leader of the Viader Vineyards & Winery, Napa

[Nov 2015]

• Argentina's Susana Balbao continues to inspire.
  This time it is her daughter Ana.
• “Fabulous Ladies Wine Society” formed in Australia.
  The society is making a difference in women’s struggle for recognition as winemakers.

[Oct 2015]

• Argentina’s Women of Wine.
  Led by the inspiring Susana Balbo, Argentina is nurturing some of the brightest female winemaking talent in the world.

[Sep 2015]

• Meet Ntsiki Biyela of South Africa.
  In the South African wine industry Ntsiki Biyela is something of a rarity. The country's first black female winemaker has established herself as an award-winning vintner.

[Aug 2015]

• Conversations with Women Winemakers in Spain's Priorat Wine Region.
  Meet six highly talented and inspiring winemakers who craft their wines in this hauntingly beautiful wine region: Daphne Glorian-Solomon, Sandra Doix Mora, Isabel Fortuny, Maria Sangenís, Mireia Torres Maczassek, and Pilar Salillas.

[Jun 2015]

• Spain's Penedès Region and its Women Winemakers.
  Our second conversation with women winemakers in other countries.

[May 2015]

• Our Latest Study on CA Wineries and Their Winemakers.
  This innovative case study provides a 21st Century view on the status of California’s Women Winemakers.

[Apr 2015]

• 25 Vintages of Great Cab and Still Going Strong.
  Cathy Corison recently shared all 25 vintages of her Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon in one sitting with Eric Asimov of the NY Times. As is Corison’s preference, she let the wines “speak for themselves,” and so they did!

[Mar 2015]

• Susan Balbao, President of the Wines of Argentina, makes an important statement.
  And the experience was very positive although some panelists were initially hesitant to participate. Compared to previous years, fewer gold medals were awarded overall and more awards were made to smaller and boutique wineries.

[Feb 2015]

• March 8 is International Women’s Day.
  The Third Annual Women, Wine, and Wellness Weekend celebrates the achievements of California women winemakers, March 6 to 8, 2015.

[Jan 2015]

• A Life in Wine.
  A member of a prominent and historic winemaking family in Spain, Marimar Torres has found her calling in Sonoma County.

[Dec 2014]

• The Woman Behind Chumash Wines.
  Tara Gomez, the award-winning winemaker at Kitá Wines in Santa Ynez Valley, is one of the few Native American female winemakers in the U.S.

[Nov 2014]

• The Dark Queen of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
  On reading this engaging article about Laurence Feraud, a winemaker in France, we were reminded of our many conversations with California women winemakers and their passion, vision, and tenacity.

[Oct 2014]

• Rioja, Spain and its Women Winemakers.
  Our first conversation with women winemakers in other countries.

[Sep 2014]

• Refeaturing “So You Want to be a Winemaker?”.
  Wisdom and advice from our conversations with 66 leading California Women Winemakers. (Note: A glitch limited access to our site the month this was first posted.)

[Aug 2014]

• Celebrated Woman Winemaker Wins Prestigious Award.
  Anne-Claude Leflaive, of Domaine Leflaive, received the 2014 Winemakers’ Winemaker Award, recognizing her embodiment of tradition and innovation in winemaking. View her acceptance speech.

[Jun 2014]

• “So You Want to be a Winemaker?”
.
  Check out the career advice we received from our conversations with 66 leading California Women Winemakers.

[May 2014]

• "Women are Somms".
  As of 2013, 14% (19 out of 135) Master Sommeliers in North American were women. Emily Pickral-Papach of Chappelet Winery in Napa was certified in 2013 and Gillian Ballance now of Treasury Wine Estates in 2012.

[Apr 2014]

• “Top 100 most influential US Winemakers “.
  Despite its subjectivity, it is worth noting that of the 100 winemakers listed, 73% (N=73) were in CA. Of these, 16.4% were women winemakers (N=12). Ten of the 12 women are located in Napa or Sonoma.

[Mar 2014]

• Susan Balbao, President of the Wines of Argentina, makes an important statement.
  All female panel selects the winners in the Argentina wine awards.

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Last Updated March 2023