Good Wine Gal: Women in Wine from Porto to Kelowna 

Living most of my life in British Columbia, I’ve witnessed the evolution of our local wine industry. With international wine training, I appreciate how global wine trends have influenced BC and its people. Today, the focus is on sustainability, which rests on three pillars: People, Planet, and Profits. Ensuring these pillars remain strong is crucial for the industry’s survival; if one falters, they all do.

Recent years have brought dramatic climate changes—heat spikes, winter freezes, and extreme rainfall. The climate crisis has hit home with events like the catastrophic 2024 crop failure in the Okanagan Valley. After a fateful December 2022 deep freeze and a January 2024 arctic freeze, the forecasted 95% drop in harvest tonnage threatens the livelihoods of small and medium-sized growers and wineries. However, the resilience and innovation of the community offer hope. Trained winery owners, viticulturists, and winemakers are collaborating to find solutions, showcasing the strength and adaptability of the wine community.

The wine industry is transitioning, adopting practices to survive warming temperatures, drought, and fires. Efforts include finding solutions for smoke taint, sustainable grape varieties, water management, cover crops, and reducing carbon footprints while producing high-quality wine. This conversation extends beyond the Okanagan, resonating worldwide.

Women are playing a pivotal role in this transformation. 2024 has been declared the year of Women in Wine. Women are making significant contributions from Porto, Portugal, to Kelowna, BC. Initiatives like Donna del Vino in Italy, Femmes du Vin in France, and Women in Wine Australia amplify women’s voices in the industry. Inspired by these movements, I launched the Good Wine Gal podcast in March to capture conversations with women in wine, sharing their sustainable practices and vision for the future.

PORTO

In the heart of picturesque Porto, Portugal, wine women from 27 countries gathered for the 4th annual Women in Wine Expo. They explored topics from old vines to new grape varieties, carbon emission reductions, and sustainable solutions—the expo, produced by Senay Ozdemir, featured internationally renowned winemakers and fostered relationship-building through shared experiences. Sandra Tavares da Silva led the opening masterclass, while Taylor’s Port Wine and the Porto Protocol Foundation highlighted sustainability efforts. The Women in Wine Expo showcased the resilience and collaboration of women in the industry, paving the way for future events.

KELOWNA

In Kelowna, the Women in Wine Speaker Series at Sandhill Wines brought together six female winemakers from the Okanagan Valley. Senka Tennant of Lariana Cellars, Sandy Leir of Laughing Stock, Keira LeFranc of Stag’s Hollow, Chris Coletta of Okanagan Crush Pad, and Séverine Pinte of Le Vieux Pin shared their insights and experiences. A key theme was the need for local educational programs, community involvement, and mentorship. Séverine, a knight of the “Order of Agricultural Merit,” shared her journey, which included overcoming gender-based challenges in the vineyard. The event concluded with tasting exceptional wines and inspiring attendees for future gatherings.

And let’s not forget the excitement this coming weekend at the Kelowna Polo Classic, June 29th, where 550 guests will gather at the Okanagan Polo field to support the local chapter of La Chaine des Rotisseurs, actively raising money to help young sommeliers and chefs in the Okanagan Valley. All eyes will be on the horses and the Valley First “Women in Wine” feature, where 14 wineries will showcase 2-3 of their top summer styles. Guests will receive tokens at check-in to swirl, sip, and savour the summer flavours of BC’s top women and wines. Tickets are still available, so if you haven’t planned an escape this long weekend, this may be your chance. 

GOOD WINE GAL PODCAST

I’m excited to introduce the Good Wine Gal podcast, launched in March 2024. These conversations focus on Women in Wine and Sustainability. Guests include Benoit Gauthier of Noble Ridge Winery, Alison Moyes of Solvero Wines, Lyndsay O’Rourke of Tightrope Winery, and Jesce Baessler of Corcelettes Estate Winery. If you’ve ever wondered who the better taster is between men and women or what it takes to grow grapes and make wine, this podcast is for you. With the inspiring women from the Women in Wine Expo and Speaker Series, the list of upcoming guests continues to grow.

CONCLUSION

The wine industry faces significant challenges from climate change and evolving consumer expectations. Yet, within these challenges lie opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and leadership, particularly among women in wine. Sharing their experiences and sustainable practices pave the way for a resilient and dynamic future for the wine industry. As we continue to navigate this journey, the stories and insights from these inspiring individuals will guide us towards a more sustainable and inclusive wine world. Don’t miss the vibrant events and initiatives that highlight the incredible work, like the Kelowna Polo Classic, the Sandhill Women in Wine Speaker Series, and the Women in Wine Expo. Cheers to the future of wine!

BIO

Hi, I’m Good Wine Gal, Barb Wild. I’ve dedicated my life to wine—studying it, working in wine retail, and exploring wineries and wine regions to meet fascinating people in the industry. My writings on new vintages, wineries, and winemakers, which highlight the latest trends shaping the wine world, can be found in SommTV Online Magazine, Vitis Magazine, the Good Wine Gal blog, and Good Life Vancouver Online Magazine. Check out the Good Wine Gal Podcast and YouTube channel if you prefer listening or watching.