March is Women’s History Month. In celebration, many of the female leaders in the male-dominated industries of wine and spirits will gather at the Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium, March 13-15, in Napa, California.
According to Nielsen research, women account for 57 percent of wine volume in America. Fred Minnick, author of Whiskey Women, claims women represent 37 percent of whiskey imbibers in this country. Women account for 85 percent of all consumer purchases, controlling $4.3 trillion of the $5.9 trillion in annual consumer spending (Source: Nielsen 2013).
“Women are an increasingly important force in driving trends and alcohol sales,” said Deborah Brenner, founder and president, Women of the Vine & Spirits, in a press release. “Therefore, it makes perfect sense that the industry has so much to gain from more diversity. Having more women in leadership roles drives innovation and creativity which directly impacts the bottom line.”
The Third Annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium is sold out, but tickets are available to purchase Livestream/On-Demand access to view the Symposium’s most sought-after keynote speakers and presenters. Visit womenofthevine.com for more information and to purchase your tickets.
Speakers include: From France, Margareth Henriquez, President & Chief Executive Officer, Krug Maison de Champagne; from South Africa, Dr. Makaziwe Mandela, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, House of Mandela; from Argentina, Susana Balbo, Founder & Owner, Susana Balbo Wines; from Italy, Marilisa Allegrini, Chief Executive Officer, Allegrini Estates; and from Australia, Dianne Laurance, Founder, Laurance Wines. Other notable influencers include Gina Gallo, Senior Director of Winemaking, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Stephanie J. Macleod, Master Blender, John Dewar & Son’s Ltd.; Annette Alvarez-Peters, AIWS, CWE, Asst. Vice President, GMM, Beverage Alcohol, Costco Wholesale; Victoria MacRae-Samuels, Vice President, Operations, Maker’s Mark Distillery; Elizabeth McCall, CSS, Woodford Reserve Master Taster & Sr. Quality Control Specialist, Brown-Forman; Caley Shoemaker, Head Distiller, Hangar 1 Vodka, Proximo; and Béatrice Cointreau, Owner & Chief Executive Officer, ADMIRABLE Family Vineyards, Malibu.
Pictured atop: Sonoma’s Spirit Works Distillery co-founder Ashby Marshall (left) and head distiller Lauren Patz help make up an all-female production team at the distillery.
