Excerpts
Women of the Vine is the first book written about women in wine that talks about the women themselves and not merely about their wine and the wine industry. It enters into their homes and their cellars.
This is not a book just for women, but for all people who desire to pursue their dreams, take chances, and create the life they want to live. It is not about ratings, scores, competition, techniques, or tasting notes. It is about the true pleasure of wine and what it means to so many of us.
I invite you to sip some wine and enjoy being inspired with all your senses as you meet these amazing Women of the Vine.Not so long ago, during a trip to Napa and Sonoma Valley I was sitting at Mustards Grill between the towns of Oakville and Yountville in Napa having lunch with Karen Cakebread and a few other friends. It was during that hour, while sipping some wine (Cakebread Cellars, Sauvignon Blanc, of course) that my avocation for wine turned into a new profession…but I didn’t quite know it yet at the time...
I identified with so many of the women I met since I, too, began my career at the end of the 1980’s and spent the past 20+ years in a very male-dominated field. I knew instinctively that there had to be more behind the barrels of wine than just a professional woman who chose this career path because I knew the struggles, fears, disappointments, and triumphs that I endured in my career and my life.
I was curious if these women were like me, desperately trying to find the balance of work and life, finding my purpose, connecting with others, and struggling to make tough decisions. I wanted to know more.
To my surprise, I learned more about myself throughout this journey than I anticipated. Sharing these moments with these successful women inspired me to stop doubting myself. They encouraged me to pursue and press on no matter what bumps in the road came before me.
Leap of Faith
The turning point in my life happened just four years ago, I went through a painful divorce and realized that it isn’t a promotion, a corner office, material things, or power that would feed my soul and make me happy. I truly felt an inner yearning to be involved in my community and work with charities, but most importantly to be with friends and family.
The hard part was that I was now divorced and supporting myself but I knew in my heart that I needed a complete change – not just a different company -- to alter my life.
One night, I was sitting in my house, sipping a little wine, and watching television - fretting about a mortgage to pay on my own and thinking, “What am I doing? It would be easier to just go back to a job in NYC.”
It only took me one interview to know that the Women of the Vine were going to inspire me and give me the courage to continue writing this book and to find my publisher.
At this point, I knew I was hooked and wanted more. I thought that if I got so inspired by these stories, would others?
As I interviewed each of the Women of the Vine, I found that it was easy to get the courage to continue and to stay motivated. How can you not? How can someone be so afraid to make a change after speaking with Amelia Ceja (President, Ceja Vineyards) and hearing how she overcame such incredible obstacles coming into this country at the age of twelve and not speaking a word of English?
Why should someone doubt themselves making a career change after speaking to Kimberlee Nichols (winemaker, Markham Vineyards) who didn’t know anything about wine and was in dental school when she decided this wasn’t the career for her?
Could anyone really be doing the wrong thing by going into a new career when Marketta Fourmeaux had the guts to go into a new life and a new country; packing up everything from France and coming to California with just a dream and a prayer?
Meet the Women
Their stories are contained with each chapter opening up with an inspiring quote that takes your hand and leads you into their personal lives. Inside each of the women’s stories, there are life lessons to be found and wine knowledge for you to learn.
The women share their lives, wine tips and pairings, and most importantly, their passion for wine.Table of Contents
Foreword by Gina Gallo
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part One The Wine
- From Vine to Wine - the Job of a Winemaker
Part Two The Women
- Milla Handley, Winemaker, Handley Cellars
- Kristin Belair, Winemaker, Honig Vineyard and Winery
- Amelia Ceja, Owner and President, Ceja Vineyards
- Andrea Immer Robinson, Master Sommelier
- Gina Gallo, Winemaker, Gallo Family Vineyards
- Marketta Fourmeaux, Winemaker, Chateau Potelle Winery
- Heidi Peterson Barrett, Winemaker, Screaming Eagle and La Sirena
- Stephanie Browne, Founder of Divas Uncorked
- Merry Edwards, Winemaker, Merry Edwards Wines
- Kimberlee Nicholls, Winemaker, Markham Vineyards
- Stephanie Gallo, Director of Marketing, Gallo Family Vineyards
- Ramona Nicholson, Nicholson Ranch Vineyards and President of Napa/Sonoma Chapter of Women for WineSense
- Dr. Ann Noble, Creator of the Wine Aroma Wheel, U.C. Davis emerita
- Paula Moschetti, Winemaker, Frog's Leap
- Lee Miyamura, Winemaker, Meridian Vineyards
- Michele Ostrove, Founder and Editor in Chief of Wine Adventure Magazine
- Stephanie Putnam, Winemaker, Far Niente
- Leslie Sbrocco, Wine Writer and author of Wine for Women
- Darice Spinelli, Winemaker, Nickel & Nickel
- Signe Zoller, Consultant, Winemaker, Zoller Wine Styling
Glossary of Terms
Further Reading
Index
