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Women in Wine: Women-Owned Wineries, Female Winemakers & Sommeliers Shaping the Industry
Wine is built on tradition. Vineyards passed down. Techniques refined. Stories carried forward. For much of that history, leadership in wine skewed male.
That reality is shifting.
Research from Santa Clara University estimates that roughly 14 percent of California wineries report a woman as lead winemaker. California remains one of the most influential wine regions in the world, and while representation has grown steadily, women remain underrepresented in senior cellar and executive roles. Coverage in Wine Enthusiast, Forbes, and Wine Business Monthly increasingly highlights how women are influencing vineyard strategy, stylistic direction, and long-term business decisions across the industry.
At Sommsation, this evolution informs how we curate.
More than half of our team is made up of women, including executive leadership and sommeliers. Across our portfolio, we intentionally partner with women-owned wineries, female winemakers, and women-led estates shaping wine from ownership to hospitality.
“In an industry built on tradition, being a woman in wine means honoring the past while helping redefine the future.” says Crystal Langley VP of Design and Creative At Sommsation. “We’re proud to be part of that shift.”
This Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting the women shaping the glass and the future of wine.
Women-Owned Wineries: Leadership at the Source
Ownership defines direction. It shapes vineyard investment, sustainability decisions, and brand identity over time.
Brick & Mortar | Sonoma County
Brick & Mortar was founded by Matt and Alexis Iaconis, whose partnership influences both the cellar and the guest experience. Alexis, an Advanced Sommelier, brings structural clarity and balance to tastings, while Matt focuses on vineyard sourcing and precision winemaking.
Working with cooler, high-elevation sites across Sonoma and Mendocino, Brick & Mortar produces single-vineyard Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. The wines are site-driven and restrained, built with acidity and structure in mind. Tastings are intimate and focused on terroir.
Limerick Lane Cellars | Russian River Valley
Limerick Lane Cellars owner Karen Francis DeGolia anchors this historic Russian River Valley vineyard with long-term stewardship at the forefront. The estate is known for old-vine Zinfandel and Rhône varieties grown on a contiguous property with more than a century of farming history.
Vineyard decisions prioritize continuity and preservation. Tastings unfold on the property itself, creating a direct connection between soil and glass. The experience feels rooted, not staged. Supporting women-owned wineries supports leadership that shapes land, craft, and legacy.
Female Winemakers & Women-Led Wineries: Craft in Practice
Winemaking demands technical discipline. It is chemistry, farming, timing, and risk assessment.
Clif Family Winery | Napa Valley
Based in St. Helena, Clif Family Winery integrates organically farmed estate vineyards with hospitality that feels active and communal. Winemaker Laura Barrett has led the program for more than a decade, shaping Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and small-lot wines that balance structure with approachability.
Their food-forward tasting program reinforces wine as part of everyday gathering rather than exclusivity.
Perchance Estates | Rutherford, Napa Valley
Founded by Dean and Katie Papadakis, Perchance Estates reflects a collector’s journey into production. The winery sources fruit from respected vineyard sites including Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard in Rutherford. Winemaker Mike Smith crafts Cabernet-driven wines designed for structure and aging.
Perchance is intentional and polished, grounded in long-term admiration for Napa Valley.
LXV Wine | Paso Robles
Neeta and Kunal Mittal founded LXV with a clear experiential vision. Inspired by the ancient Indian concept of the 64 arts of living, the tasting experience is treated as an extension of the wine itself.
Bordeaux-inspired blends carry bold fruit and layered texture. Curated spice pairings invite guests to engage their senses more deeply, creating a tasting that feels immersive without excess.
Tamber Bey Vineyards | Napa Valley
Tamber Bey blends agricultural roots with equestrian heritage. Founder and owner Jennifer Waitte alongside her husband Barry, built the estate around both passions, creating a Napa program centered on balance and vineyard expression.
Tastings feel open and grounded, reflecting working-land authenticity rather than spectacle.
Ladera Vineyards | Napa Valley
Established in 1998 by Anne and Pat Stotesbery, Ladera is rooted in Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Elevation and volcanic soils define the wines’ structure and aging potential. Second-generation leadership continues to refine vineyard practices and cellar precision.
The hospitality experience remains understated and wine-focused.Across the industry, female winemakers are increasingly recognized as defining voices in contemporary wine. The conversation has shifted from novelty to leadership.
Women Sommeliers: Expanding Access to Wine
If winemakers shape the bottle, sommeliers shape the encounter.
Women sommeliers continue to expand how wine is introduced and understood. They create space for curiosity and make complex regions more approachable.
At Sommsation, our sommelier partnerships prioritize education without intimidation. Tastings are designed to inform and welcome. Representation in hospitality influences who feels invited to the table.
Wine works best when it feels accessible.
"I've always been surrounded by men," says Sommelier Elyse Lovenworth. "This is the first time in my career that I've experienced working mostly with women and females. It's one of the things I really love about Sommsation!"
Why Supporting Women in Wine Matters
The global wine industry represents tens of billions of dollars annually. Leadership in that market influences culture, commerce, and consumer perception.
- When women lead at the ownership level, they shape long-term investment decisions.
- When women lead in the cellar, they influence stylistic direction and quality benchmarks.
- When women lead in hospitality, they influence accessibility.
Progress is measurable. Representation remains uneven. Visibility and support matter.
At Sommsation, elevating women-owned and women-led wineries is not seasonal content. It is part of our sourcing philosophy and commitment to responsible curation.
Explore Women in Wine
We invite you to discover the women shaping today’s wine industry. Our curated Women in Wine Collection features:
- Brick & Mortar (Collaborative Wife-Husband Owned Winery)
- Clif Family Winery (Women-Run / Female Winemaker)
- Limerick Lane Cellars (Woman Owner)
- LXV Wine (Female Leadership in Winemaking)
- Ladera Vineyards (Collaborative Husband-Wife Leadership)
- Perchance Estates (Female Owner)
- Tamber Bey Vineyard (Collaborative Wife-Husband Owned Winery)
Each winery represents a different path to leadership - ownership, cellar craft, partnership, and education.
Frequently Asked Questions About Women in Wine
What percentage of winemakers are women?
Approximately 14 percent of California wineries report a woman as lead winemaker, according to research from Santa Clara University. While representation has improved over time, women remain underrepresented in winemaking and executive roles.
Why support women-owned wineries?
Ownership influences vineyard management, sustainability investment, hiring practices, and long-term brand identity. Supporting women-owned wineries helps expand leadership representation across the wine industry.
How can I identify women-led wineries?
Research ownership and winemaker information on winery websites and trusted wine publications. Look for leadership transparency, vineyard philosophy, and stylistic consistency rather than relying solely on labels.
Are women-led wineries producing high-quality wines?
Yes. Women are leading programs across Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Paso Robles, and beyond, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Rhône varieties, and Bordeaux blends that compete at the highest levels of the industry.
