Women In Wine
This International Women's Day, we raise a glass to the incredible women shaping the world of wine. From vineyard to bottle, female winemakers are crafting exceptional wines, pushing boundaries, and bringing their unique perspectives to every sip.
Learn about the talented women behind some of our favourite producers and the stories that make their wines truly unforgettable.
Bibiana Gonzalez Rave
Cattelya, California
Bibiana González Rave (pictured above) grew up in Colombia, where vineyards were rare, yet early curiosity sparked a winemaking dream. After studying in Bordeaux and working at estemmed estates including Château Haut-Brion, and in Burgundy, she moved to California, gaining further experience at La Crema and Au Bon Climat. In 2012 she founded Cattleya, sourcing exceptional fruit and championing precise, sensitive winemaking. Her work has earned widespread recognition, including Wine Enthusiast’s “40 Under 40: America’s Tastemakers.”
Tamra Kelly
Kelly Washington, New Zealand
Tamra Washington co founded the New Zealand label Kelly Washington in 2016 with her husband Simon Kelly and leads the winemaking. With experience from Seresin Estate and international harvests, she crafts distinctive wines from high altitude, old vine sites. Working with sustainable growers, Tamra uses vessels such as amphorae and concrete eggs to highlight purity, texture and regional diversity.
Judy Fowler
Puriri Hills, Clevedon, New Zealand
Wines are made primarily from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Carmenere, producing rich, complex, and structured reds. Often compared to Pomerol and Saint-Emilion wines from Bordeaux; they are highly regarded among New Zealand's best reds, standing out in a country more famous for its Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. The Estate follows organic and sustainable viticulture, focusing on low yields and minimal intervention to express the unique terroir.
Jane Hunter
Hunter's Wines, Marlborough, New Zealand
Jane Hunter took charge of Hunter’s in Marlborough, after the untimely passing of her husband Ernie, guiding the estate from its early success to international renown. She has championed quality across varieties such as Riesling and sparkling wines, maintained family ownership and led a growing focus on sustainability, organic viticulture and vegan certified wines. Hunter’s is the only 1970s-founded Marlborough winery to have remained family owned, and today Jane is the proud holder of an OBE in recognition of her industry leading efforts.
Anne-Francoise Gros
Domaine A.F. Gros, Pommard, Burgundy
The domaine is part of the renowned Gros family of Burgundy, whose winemaking legacy spans multiple generations and includes famous estates such as Domaine Michel Gros and Domaine Anne Gros. Founded by Anne-Francoise Gros, who married Francois Parent, a talented winemaker from Pommard. Today, their children, Caroline and Mathias Parent, oversee the domaine. They own parcels in some of Burgundy's most sought-after-appellations, including Pommard, Vosne-Romanee, and Richebourg Grand Cru, and produce some of Burgundy's most elegant and collectible wines, making it a sought-after name among wine enthusiasts and collectors.
Iduna Weinert
Bodega Weinert, Mendoza, Argentina
Weinert is Argentina's oldest producer of Malbec, having begun releasing wines under the military dictatorship in the 1970s, before commercial winemaking was widespread. Made by acclaimed winemaker Raul de la Motta in a very traditional style, with long ageing in old oak casks and up to 12 years in bottle before release, the first wines were lauded by US Critic Robert Parker. Today the estate is run by the founder's daughter, Iduna Weinert, and the wines made by Hubert Weber, but still in the same classic style, with long ageing and release only when the wines are fully mature. The result is wines such as this herbaceousness too - a real food wine.
Teresa Valtuena Pablo
La Trucha, D.O. Rias Baixas, Spain
Notas Frutales de Albarino is set in the Codado de Tea sub-zone of Rias Baixas, in the south-eastern corner of the DO, towards the Portuguese border. There, further inland, the climate is a touch more clement than the prevailing cool damp conditions that define Rias Baixas, and the Alonso family farm six Albarino vineyards on the right bank of the Mino River, at around 300m altitude. Teresa Valtuena Pablo is recognized for her dedication to elevating Albarino and positioning La Trucha as a top producer in Rias Baixas. Her work reflects the growing influence of women in Spanish winemaking, bringing both technical skill and a deep respect for the region's wine making heritage.
Emma Swain
St Supery Estate Vineyards and Winery, Napa Valley
During Emma Swain's tenure, St Supery has invested heavily in its vineyards, winery, and technology, significantly enhancing wine quality. This commitment is reflected in Robert Parker Jr.'s comments praising the winery for "dramatically raising the quality level of their offerings". The dedication to excellence extends to the the Rutherford Estate, where renovations - including the historic 1882 Atkinson House - have elevated the visitor experience. Emma serves as chair of the Wine Market Council and Visit Napa Valley, is a former chair of Napa Valley vintners, and actively supports nonprofits and industry initiatives.
Roselyne Gavoty
Domaine Gavoty, Provence
Nestled in the heart of the Cotes de Provence, where vineyards have been cultivated since Roman times, Domaine Gavoty has been overseen by the eponymous family for more than 200 years. Today the estate is run by the sixth generation Roselyne, who farms 43 hectares of vineyards organically and has stayed resolutley true to an authentic Provencal style in the face of fashion. Her two roses harness Cinsault and Grenache, in this case via a 70-30 blend weighted towards the former, the pair vinified with three hours of skin contact, followed by fermentation in stainless steel vats and ageing on fine lees until the following spring.
Anne Gros
Domaine Anne Gros et Jean-Paul Tollot, Minervois
A joint venture between two esteemed Burgundy winemakers - Anne Gros of Domaine Anne Gros (Vosne-Romanee) and Jean-Paul Tollot of Domaine Tollot-Beaut (Chorey-les-Beaune). This estate, located in the Languedoc region of southern France, combines their Burgundian expertise with the unique terroir of Minervois to produce elegant, terroir-driven wines.
Maurizia di Napoli
Castello dei Rampolla
At Castello dei Rampolla in Tuscany’s Conca d’Oro, Maurizia and her brother Luca continue a legacy begun when their father Alceo planted vines in the 1960s and, by the late 1970s, guided by the legendary Giacomo Tachis, introduced Cabernet Sauvignon, a bold move in Chianti Classico territory. Biodynamic since 1994, the estate reflects Maurizia’s thoughtful stewardship, embracing minimal intervention, amphora fermentations and sulphur free Sangiovese while preserving Rampolla’s pioneering spirit.
More like this
Our Bestsellers
Our bestselling wines are customer favorites for a reason: crafted with passion, and perfect for every occasion, these bottles continue to win hearts and impress palates. Experience the wines that our customers return to time and time again.
Award Winning Wines
On the hunt for some new wines to try? Look no further than this selection of our winners from the latest Decanter World Wines Awards, judged by some of the world’s leading wine experts.
