Nov 11, 2022

The History of Women in Wine, since Ancient Times

Winemaking has been a man's game for centuries, but women have always been secretly sneaking in and kicking butt. The ancient Egyptians believed that wine was a gift from the goddess of fertility, so it's no surprise that women have been making wine since before anyone could write down the recipe. Fast forward a few thousand years, and women were still making wine, but they had to do it on the sly. Society deemed it unladylike for women to be involved in the "rough and tumble" world of winemaking.

However, as we entered the 20th century, society began to shift and women were finally allowed to attend wine education classes and attend tastings. This opened the door for them to start their own wineries or work in wineries as winemakers. Some notable women in winemaking from this time include: Rosa Martini, who founded her own winery in Napa Valley in 1895, and Mayme Aguilar, who became the first female winemaker in California. But, despite these trailblazers, the industry remained heavily male-dominated.

As we entered the 21st century, more and more women were breaking into the winemaking scene and making a name for themselves. Today, it is not unusual to find women as winemakers, vineyard managers, and even winery owners. Some notable contemporary female winemakers include: Cristina Mariani-May of Castello Banfi, one of the largest wine producers in Italy, and Gina Gallo of E. & J. Gallo Winery, the largest family-owned winery in the United States.

But it's not just about breaking down barriers and making names for themselves within established wineries - women are also starting their own. Women-owned wineries are on the rise and making a significant impact on the industry. According to a 2020 report by Wine Business Monthly, the number of wineries owned by women has increased by 45% over the past five years, and those wineries now account for 13% of all wineries in the United States. These women-owned wineries are not only producing top-quality wines, but they are also challenging traditional industry norms and shaking things up in the process.

In addition to winemakers and winery owners, women are also making their mark in other areas of the wine industry. From sommeliers to wine writers to sales reps, women are proving that they can excel in any role. Women have become increasingly involved in leadership roles within industry organizations and advocacy groups, working to promote diversity and inclusion within the industry.

The history of women in winemaking is one that has been characterized by struggle, determination, and ultimately, success. Women have always been a part of the winemaking process, but it's only in recent years that they've been given the recognition they deserve. Today, women are not only breaking barriers and making names for themselves within established wineries, but they are also starting their own successful wineries, proving their talents in other areas of the industry, and fighting for representation and change within the industry as a whole.

So raise a glass of vino made by a female winemaker and cheers to the ladies who are making waves in the industry!

Women in Wine: Ancient Times

In ancient times, women were the ones fermenting grapes and crafting delicious wine. Let's take a trip back in time to when the goddess of fertility was the one to thank for a good vintage.

In ancient Greece, wine was associated with the goddess of agriculture, Dionysus, and women played a big role in wine-making rituals. In fact, women were considered to be the only ones who could perform the rituals properly and make sure that the wine was blessed by the gods. These rituals often involved ecstatic dancing and singing, and were seen as a form of religious devotion.

In ancient Rome, women were also active in winemaking. They were known for making wine at home, using grapes grown in their own gardens. The wife of the head of the household, known as the "domina," was responsible for overseeing the wine production and storage, which is the same job that was done by the "dominus" or head of the house. The Roman author Columella even wrote in his book on agriculture that women's hands were better suited for delicate tasks in winemaking such as pressing the grapes.

Going further back, ancient Egyptians also worshiped a goddess of wine and fertility, Hathor. She was considered to be the protector of women, childbirth and fertility and it was believed that wine was a gift from her, so it's no surprise that women were making wine in ancient Egypt as well.

It seems that throughout history, women have always been a vital part of winemaking - and not just for show. They were respected for their skills and knowledge, and their contributions were essential to the process. Even in ancient times, women were proving that they were more than capable of creating delicious, quality wine.

Women in Wine: 1800s Europe

Ah, the 1800s. A time when women were expected to be seen and not heard, unless they were singing parlor songs or playing the piano. But, as it turns out, some women had bigger aspirations - like fermenting grapes and making delicious wine.

In Europe, during the 1800s, winemaking was considered a man's profession. However, there were a few trailblazing women who broke through the glass ceiling and made their mark in the industry. For example, in France, Madame Clicquot, also known as "The Widow Clicquot," took over her husband's champagne business in 1805 and turned it into a successful enterprise. She revolutionized the champagne industry by inventing the riddling table, which improved the quality of champagne, and she also established herself as one of the first female business owners in the wine industry.

In Italy, Rosa Martini, was a pioneer winemaker, in the 1890s, who founded her own winery in Napa Valley in 1895. Her winery was one of the first to produce bulk wines and was a major supplier of bulk wine to the newly developing wine industry in California. She was also a trailblazer for women, who were not encouraged to be involved in business, especially not in a field such as winemaking.

Moving over to Germany, we have Frau Doktor, as she was known, was a winemaker of note in the 1800s. She is considered to be the first female winemaker in Germany and one of the first female winemakers in the world. She took over her father's winery and not only continued to run it but also expanded it. Frau Doktor was so successful that her wines were served at the court of Kaiser Wilhelm II.

While these women were certainly outliers, they were also trailblazers. They broke through the glass ceiling of the 1800s, and laid the foundation for women in the winemaking industry today.

Women in Wine: 1900s Europe

As we entered the 20th century, women in Europe were still fighting for their place in the winemaking industry. But, as the century progressed, more and more women began breaking through the glass ceiling and making a name for themselves.

Let's start with France, where a few trailblazing women were starting to make waves in the industry. In the 1960s, the first female winemaker in Bordeaux, Eloi Dürrbach, started to make wine under her own label. And, in the 1970s, a group of women in the Loire Valley formed the "La Dive Bouteille," a group dedicated to promoting and producing quality wine made by women. This group helped to pave the way for future generations of female winemakers in France.

In Italy, a number of women winemakers were making their mark in the industry. One notable example is Maria Teresa Mascarello, who took over her family's winery in Piedmont in the 1970s and, with the help of her daughter, transformed it into one of the most renowned Barolo producers in the region. Today, her daughter, Maria-Franca, continues to run the winery, keeping her mother's legacy alive.

Spain has also seen a rise in the number of women winemakers in recent decades. Women such as Telmo Rodriguez, who runs the winery of the same name and helped to revolutionize the wine industry in Spain by reintroducing ancient grape varieties and organic farming practices. Another one is Ana Fabiano, based in the Ribera del Duero region, who produces wines under the label "Cune" and has played an important role in putting this region on the map for wine lovers worldwide.

Women in Wine: Prohibition Era

Prohibition, the era in which the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages was banned in the United States. It was a dark time for drinkers and winemakers alike, but women were still able to sneak in and make their mark in the industry.

Let's start with California, where many winemakers found a loophole in the law by producing "sacramental wine" for religious purposes. And guess who was making this so-called sacramental wine? Women, of course! They were the ones who often took over the family businesses, running wineries and producing the "sacramental" wine. Some notable examples include: Mayme Aguilar, who became the first female winemaker in California, and Rosa Martini who continued to produce wine during the prohibition period by obtaining a license to produce sacramental wines.

On the east coast, many women who were involved in the wine industry found ways to stay involved during prohibition. Some of them, like Mary Eliza Crane, an heiress of a distilling empire, used her wealth and influence to lobby against prohibition and support the repeal movement. Others, like Mary Pickford and Clara Bow, were celebrity actresses who used their fame to promote the repeal of the 18th Amendment.

Prohibition also gave rise to many female bootleggers, also known as "Rum Runners". These women risked their lives and freedom to illegally transport and sell alcohol during the Prohibition era, and many of them were successful and wealthy businesswomen. One such example is Rosie (Rose) McAvoy, who ran one of the most profitable bootlegging operations in Chicago.

Prohibition was a difficult time for winemakers and drinkers alike, but it also saw a rise in female involvement in the industry. Women were the ones who found loopholes in the law and continued to produce wine, whether it was sacramental wine or bootlegged alcohol. They also used their wealth and influence to lobby against the law and support the repeal movement.

Women in Wine: Modern Day

Starting in the early 20th century, women were finally allowed to attend wine education classes and attend tastings, which opened the door for them to start their own wineries or work in wineries as winemakers. Some notable women in winemaking from this time include: Rosa Martini, who founded her own winery in Napa Valley in 1895, and Mayme Aguilar, who became the first female winemaker in California.

As we entered the 21st century, more and more women were breaking into the winemaking scene and making a name for themselves. Today, it is not unusual to find women as winemakers, vineyard managers, and even winery owners. Some notable contemporary female winemakers include: Agustina O'Farrell of Bodega Garzón in Uruguay and now in Oregon, who's been instrumental in the development of Tannat varietal and Jillian Johnson of La Pitchoune winery in Sonoma Valley, who's been recognized as one of the most talented and innovative winemakers in the region.

Women in Wine: California Wines

California, the land of sunshine, beaches, and some of the best wine in the world - and women have been playing a big role in making it all happen. From Napa Valley to Sonoma, women have been fermenting grapes and crafting delicious wine for decades.

California winemaking has a rich history of women being involved, as early as the late 1800s, with the likes of Rosa Martini and Mayme Aguilar, being one of the first female winemakers in California. Fast forward to the present, and you'll find that the California wine industry is brimming with talented and successful women winemakers. From Helen Keplinger, an acclaimed winemaker and consultant in Napa Valley, to Theresa Heredia, head winemaker at Bouchaine Vineyards, who's making some of the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Carneros region.

But, let's not forget the female winery owners, who are making their mark in the industry. Women like Annette Hoff Daneshfar, co-owner and winemaker at Sojourn Cellars and Renata Carol, owner and winemaker of Carol Shelton Wines, who's known for her Zinfandel and Rhone-style wines. These women are not only making great wines, but also challenging traditional industry norms and shaking things up in the process.

The California wine industry has a rich history of women's involvement in winemaking, and today it continues to be one of the most exciting and dynamic wine regions in the world. From winemakers to winery owners, women in California are making their mark and producing some of the best wines in the world. So next time you're sipping on a California wine, think of the women behind the bottle and raise a glass to their hard work and dedication.