The rise of women winemakers

Anna, the daughter of friends of mine, is in her final year at university and keen to enter the wine trade. Clearly, she is wise beyond her years because it’s a hugely engaging career. She will never get rich but will always be happy. Oh, and a glass of something tasty will never be far away, and nor will someone congenial with whom to share it. 

Wine is made in beautiful places – just think of Bordeaux, the Douro Valley, Western Cape, Yarra Valley, Napa, Piedmont, Mendoza, Central Otago and even the rolling South Downs of Sussex – by delightful people (well, with just the one exception). It’s a warm, friendly and collaborative world to be in. 

I’ve tried to introduce Anna to as many different parts of the trade as possible: to people who make wine, import wine, market wine, promote wine, sell wine and write about wine. It was only when I sent the final introductory email that it dawned on me that everybody I had put her in touch with – except one – was a woman.