International Women's Day is March 8^th 2023 and globally celebrates the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women across the globe.

At EWWines we recognise and embrace the importance of this celebration and equality for all and after the rollercoaster of the last few years we feel it particularly important to stand together and celebrate all women’s achievements whether social, political, economic or cultural. Something we do as standard, not just on a particular day in March.

Statistically speaking, it is difficult for accurate international figures to quote for this article on female winemakers and vineyard owners as a percentage of the industry. What is clear is this is still a once male dominated industry, things are rapidly improving but work can always be done to improve equality and inclusivity which we recognise as an industry.

According to Forbes “In 2020, they reported that out of 4,200 bonded wineries in California, only 14 percent had a woman as their lead winemaker” which rose to “17% in 2022” – rapid improvement which is welcome.

According to Drink Aware an average of 31% of men aged 16 years or older drink wine or champagne each week in the UK, (without bingeing, most importantly). This is in comparison to a mighty 60% of women. The case for diversity has never been clearer! The UK’s wine industry is embracing this rapid change with many inspirational women driving some of the most successful wine businesses in the UK.

Exton Park

We are excited to announce that on the 14^th April, we are hosting Exton Park's winemaker Corinne Seely for an exclusive tasting event.

Meet Corrine and taste Exton Park’s wines and have an evening with fine wines, nibbles and good company, perfect!

Tickets £45pp, please call 01637 838998 or book online

Women in Wine Mixed Case

Celebrating women in wine we are excited to highlight 6 wines with women at the heart of their operation who are behind these exceptional wines. With International Women’s Day in mind which celebrates the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women across the globe. This fantastic mixed case will take you on a fantastic journey from the UK to South Africa with stops in France, Italy, Austria and Greece along the way!

Exton Park, RB32 Brut Reserve NV

Winemaker, Corinne Seely, composes blends from a huge variety of flavours captured from their 60-acre single vineyard. She has a mastery of Reserve blending and terrior and has taken a different approach. For example, her RB32 Brut Reserve harmonises an average of 32 skilfully selected reserve wines, for an elegant expression which sings with subtle intrigue.

Punset Ne'?, Langhe DOC White

Discover Punset, a certified organic winery, and meet Marina Marcarino and her world-famous wines. Marina has been organically certified since the 1980’s and her philosophy is to produce excellent wines in complete harmony with nature. After almost 30 years of experience, Cantina Punset represents one of the reference companies in Italy for organic viticulture.

Mas de Cadenet, Cotes de Provence Sainte Victoire

Newly listed at EWWines we are proud to highlight Mas de Cadenet’s Maud Negrel. Maud is keen to grow her family's winemaking reputation as she runs the business together. She grew up in Provence on the family Domaine but left to pursue a career in finance for PWC before returning to the family estate after realising that living that far from her Domaine and vines was not for her. This is superb rose, organically certified, refined, mineral and fresh.

Weingut Judith Beck, INK

Winery Judith Beck is a 15 hectare estate in Gols in Austria's Burgenland which has been farming biodynamically since 2007, aiming to respect the environment and produce the best quality grapes, using native Austrian varieties. Judith Beck herself studied abroad at places like Cos d'Estournel in Bordeaux and Errazuriz in Chile but returned home to take over from her father and move the winery in the direction of natural winemaking.

Botanica, Big Flower Merlot

Protea Heights Farm is located in Devon Valley just 10 minutes from the center of Stellenbosch. Here Ginny Povall cultivates 53 acres of which 24 acres are the protea flowers (South Africa’s national flower) and 12 acres of vineyards. Back in the late 1940s, it was the first farm in South Africa to cultivate proteas. Ginny has planted some Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot on this farm and the vines are just starting to show their true potential.

Lyrarakis, Liastos - Sun Dried Sweet Wine

In charge of winemaking, is Myriam Ambuzer who has been vital in securing Lyrarakis a place in the elite wineries of Greece. Her philosophy emphasises precision, purity and supple texture of the fruit. She argues it is all about expressing authenticity, achieving harmony and that every variety needs to be worked in its own special way. Balanced dessert wine with caramelised orange and apricot flavours balanced with exceptional freshness.

We have many more female winemakers we can shine a spotlight on at EWWines. The mixed case was extremely difficult to select just 6 wines. Some more of our favourite wines with women at the helm including which narrowly missed the case list are highlighted below;

Benito Ferrara Greco di Tufo

Managed by Benito's daughter Gabriella, the tiny 8h estate in Campania is run with an innate love for her work and a cutting-edge cellar. The Estate produces and exports a range of fine wines globally with a reputation as one of Italy's best white wine producers.

Quinta de La Rosa, douROSA Tinto

Sophia Bergqvist’s grandmother, Claire, was given Quinta de la Rosa as a christening present in 1906! But by the time Sophia took over in the 1980’s it was neglected. Sophia relaunched this historic Douro Valley estate in 1988 and has overseen steady growth for the past three decades.

Listen to Tim Atkin’s Cork talk podcast with Sophia here to find out more or why not add a bottle to your next wine shop!

Domaine Catherine & Pierre Breton, Vouvray 'La Dilettante' (Method Traditionalle)

Catherine Breton with her husband Pierre champion Biodynamic viticulture, which is no mean feat in the northerly climes of the Loire valley. Very much a family affair with 5 generations of history dating back to 1886! Catherine produced the Domaine’s first Vouvray under the Dilettante label in 2002. This ultra organic sparkling Vouvray is an absolute must to try, more details HERE .

We hope this has inspired you to think about women in wine and hope you are inspired to try these or ask us for more of our favourites next time you are shopping with us.