March is Women’s History Month, and March 8 is International Women’s Day. In honor of women in the craft beverage industry, we asked the question: who has inspired you? Female winemakers, distillery owners and more all jumped at the chance to pour it forward, sharing about the other women who have inspired them along the way.
Meghann Quinn, Owner, Bale Breaker Brewing Company
“A woman in the beverage industry that has inspired me is Natalie Cilurzo with Russian River Brewing Company. She has become a great friend and mentor to me over the years.”
Missy Claridge, Owner & President, Northwest Spirits
Missy feels inspired by Victoria Eady Butler, Master Blender for Uncle Nearest Whiskey, Carolyn Sellars from Adventures in Whisky, and Jill Kuehler, founder of Freeland Spirits.
Lacey Lybecker, President & Owner, Cairdeas Winery
Luanne Boushey, Boushey Vineyard, is such an inspiration in the wine world! She’s the vineyard mom, always kind, caring, thoughtful, hardworking and an amazing leader for her team and the entire industry!
Amy Alvarez-Wampfler, Winemaker and General Manager, Abeja Winery
Wampler says she is inspired by Mary Derby of DAMA Wines. “Mary was one of the first female winemakers in Walla Walla. She started making wine with her husband and later started her own all-female winery. She contributes to the community, brings people together, is always eager to collaborate, and creates events that empower women. She is also one heck of a winemaker with years of practical knowledge. Most importantly, Mary is an incredible human being, committted to her colleagues and especially her family. Her infectious personality draws people in.”
Caitlin Braam, Founder and CEO, Yonder Cider
“Two ladies in the beverage industry who have inspired me are Liv Maki of Redfield Cider and Casey O’Neill of Boston Beer.”
Jessica Munnell, Co-Owner and Winemaker, Wautoma Springs
Munnell says she is inspired by Katie Nelson of Chateau Ste Michelle: “She truly has a passion for winemaking. She makes beautiful wines while leading an enormous team. She is a boss lady!”
Lisa Lawrence, Owner, GÅrd Vintners
Lawrence says she is inspired by Hannah Coulson, Assistant Winemaker for Gard Vintners & Desert Wind Winery: “Hannah is a true inspiration in the traditionally male-dominated field of winemaking. Her focus and drive to produce great wines is unrelenting, and she inspires me to continue learning and expanding my own knowledge in the industry.”
Kristin Scheelar, Winemaker at Hogue and Columbia Wineries, Advisory Board Member for The Alliance of Women in Washington Wine
Scheelar says she is inspired by Kay Simon of Chinook Winery and Luanne Boushey of Boushey Vineyards: “Kay was one of the first women to open a winery in Washington State. She and her Husband Clay opened Chinook Winery in 1983.
They designed their winery for longevity so that they could work as long as they desired. Kay is generous, kind and involved. She is active in the Seattle Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier and has been involved in fundraising for scholarships with this group for 30 years. She is a woman who is serious about her craft and about science.
Luanne Boushey and her husband Dick planted their first commercial vineyard in 1980. Luanne was a teacher in Prosser for many years and has been involved in Washington Viticulture in the Yakima Valley her entire career. Luanne is a very kind person who knows how to organize and execute a project. She is a woman who is driven, confident and happy.
I admire both women. The Washington Wine Industry would not be the same without them.”
Jamie Peha, Executive Director of the Auction of Washington Wines
Peha says she is inspired by Patricia Gelles from the original Klipsun Vineyard. “From the start of my career with the Washington Wine Commission, Patricia was there representing women in wine and sharing the Washington wine story with me across the country in many cities.”
Jess Arnold, Associate Winemaker, Soter Vineyards
“Cathy Corison ventured into winemaking at a time when women were notably absent from the industry. Determined to succeed, she pursued a master’s degree at Davis to establish her credibility, something many of her peers never needed to prove their talents or mastery in the field. She consistently crafts wines with balanced, moderate alcohol levels, prioritizing longevity over boldness. She manages two Napa Valley vineyards with organic practices, and her wines speak for themselves.”
Claire Jarreau, Head Winemaker, Brooks Wine
“When I think of women celebrating and supporting other women’s success in the wine business, Anne Ebenreiter Hubatch, winemaker at Helioterra Wines, comes to mind straight away. Not only is Anne an industry veteran and one who carved an early lane for female entrepreneurs in the industry, she is also an active mentor and supporter of women new to wine. Anne radiates positivity, tenacity, and quick-witted humor to everyone she encounters. A true gem, Anne is a great role model for women in the wine industry.”
Jill Kuehler, Founder & CEO, Freeland Spirits
“Karen Hoskin, founder of Montanya Rum, has been a huge inspiration to me from the very beginning of Freeland. To know that there was another woman out there who had built a distillery from scratch, bootstrapping it one bottle at a time, gave me such motivation, especially in tough times. From launching in a tiny mountain town to growing Montanya into an international brand, Karen led with integrity and creativity the whole way and coached many of us industry gals along the way.”
Kathy Joyce D.U.A.D., CSW, MBA, Vice President of Sales, Hedges Family Estate
“I’ve been inspired by Anne Marie Hedges. Her story as a founding partner with her husband Tom is really amazing. She was raising two kids, she went to school in accounting, and she was starting a winery. Anyone who has worked at a winery knows a little about what it takes. What they have created together is truly amazing. And she is very humble about what she’s accomplished. I think she should be recognized.”
Ashley Trout, Winemaker, Vital Wines & Brook & Bull Cellars
“A woman who has inspired me: Karen MacNeil is not here to play. That woman has an agenda. She is not only extremely brilliant, but is equally educated. She searches out information like no one I’ve ever seen and disseminates it in ways that are approachable yet professional, inviting, yet enriching. She has done more for the growth of the modern wine consumer than almost anyone and all as practically an island of a woman in a sea of men. It doesn’t seem to slow her down. I’m impressed.”
Lynda Parrish, Owner, Portland Cider Co.
“Another woman in the beverage industry who has inspired me is Sara Brennan from Trail Distilling. Another husband and wife team that started their own business in 2015, a few years after us. Her constant innovation with Gin, Vodka, Rum and Whiskey has won her many awards, including the best Woman Distiller at the 2022 International Women’s Wine and Spirits Competition. She runs a beautiful taproom in Oregon City where customers can imbibe any one of her half-dozen spirits poured into a unique cocktail to enjoy. She wears the many hats that all of us small business owners wear, but Sara, with her unique style, fits every one of them beautifully!”
Christine Walter, Owner and Head Cidermaker, Bauman’s Cider Company
“Ellen Cavalli—the co-founder at Tilted Shed Ciderworks in Sonoma County, California—inspires me. Her resilience and energy have been essential to building the cidermaking community, plus she makes amazing ciders.”
Sally Johnson Blum, Executive Winemaker, The Walls and Pášxa
“My understanding of wine has been profoundly influenced by wine writer Karen MacNeil. Karen’s approach to describing wine encompasses multiple sensory pathways, including visual, auditory and movement-related metaphors. Through relentless hard work and sheer force of will, Karen manifested an incredible career despite significant barriers for women to become wine critics. She is a treasure and an inspiration to me.”
Anaïs Mera, Winemaker and Operation & Wine Club Manager of AniChe Cellars
“I’m constantly inspired by womxn in the industry. The wide breadth of feats, recognition, and social change that has been by the hands of mostly womxn in the wine industry is no short feat, and needs to be honored and respected daily, not just in March or on International Women’s Day. But my most influential woman I look up to in the industry is my mom, Rachael Horn. She started a winery in our region with big ambition, with a shit ton of natural talent, and no permission from the old guard. She’d never kiss the ring of a patronizing man and I love her for it! I’ve learned so much from her, and together we have cultivated a fantastic family winery that gives gives gives. I grew up personally and in my career in the wine industry, surrounded by my family and my mom believing in my talents. This is so unlike the experiences most womxn have in this industry. She completely surrounded me in love and support, with challenges being of our own adversities within the winery, and some being with trying to work within an inherently sexist system. She challenges me and pushes me to be true to myself, our wines and our business. She cultivates a space, through her hard work in the winery and her influence in the industry, so that I can freely have the privilege to stand on my pulpit to call out and expose sexism in the industry. Cheers, Mama. I love you!”
Emily Fergestrom, Owner, Fortuity Cellars
Fergestrom says she is inspired by Amy Johnson, owner/proprietor of Purple Star/Muret-Gaston. “Amy is someone who lives and breathes “the rising tide lifts all boats.” From the very beginning of Fortuity she always answered my calls, emails and texts. I could count on her for sound, authentic, real advice. Lee and I have also been so inspired by how she and Kyle make their marriage and their business work. That’s a tough thing to do and they are doing it!”
Remy Drabkin, Owner and Winemaker, Remy Wines
“In an industry with many matriarchs and lots of inspiring women leaders, Nancy Ponzi stands out to me as a woman that has personally influenced the arc and direction of my life. From early on, Nancy crossed over her winery work from the field to the cellar to the kitchen to the sales front. I do that (of course Nancy told me I had to do all these things). Nancy wrote a cookbook – I was featured in one. Nancy collaborated with other wineries -so do I. Nancy was instrumental in starting Salud (a non-profit that serves the region) – I was instrumental in starting Wine Country Pride (a non-profit that serves the region). Nancy led the International Pinot Noir Celebration – I’m leading Queer Wine Fest. Nancy has accomplished so much and clearly I’m emulating her verve. While I haven’t begun to touch the brightness of Nancy’s star – she has laid out examples for me that keep me striving to live as fulfilling a life as she does.”
Anna Sweet, CEO & Founder, Artist Block Wines
“A young woman with an uncompromising vision at a time when women had virtually no rights or power, Madame Clicquot managed to change the way the world saw champagne. Her imagination and desire for excellence created more than a product. She created a legend, a way of celebrating life. She understood to shape an experience, you must match the beauty on the outside of the bottle with the beauty that lies within.”
Mary Derby, Owner, Dama Wines
“The person that I am going to refer to as my initial inspiration into the world of wine is Sylvie Laly from my early days of working in the restaurant industry in San Francisco. Sylvie was the wine director at Zuni Cafe and she brought wine into my life way back in 1990!”
Melissa Miller & Kristin Bacon, Co-Owners, Sip Magazine
In the world of inspirational women, our mom is a true testament of strength and independence. Through her own personal and professional journey which was built on a foundation of perseverance, she insured that our paths were paved with the best opportunities. We are incredibly lucky to have her working alongside us at Sip Magazine in her Third Act. As a team we navigate challenges, celebrate victories, continually working towards the common goal to build a legacy for our family. We wouldn’t be where we are today without her strength and support.
