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Women of the Vine Global Symposium Announces Keynote Speakers, Agenda and Sponsors

Women of the Vine Global Symposium Announces Keynote Speakers, Agenda and Sponsors

December 1, 2015 (New York, NY) – The Women of the Vine Alliance recently published the agenda for the second annual Women of the Vine Global Symposium on its website, WomenOfTheVine.com. The benchmark event is to be held April 4-6, 2016 at the Meritage Resort & Spa, Napa, and will include a recent addition to the lineup, keynote speaker Lynda Spillane.

An accomplished psychologist, speechwriter and coach, Lynda Spillane is considered the best in the world at transforming heads of state, presidents, CEOs and executives into high-performing public speakers and communicators, and will present an address at the Women of the Vine Global Symposium entitled, “Brilliant Women, Excellent Speakers.” Other keynote speakers include Vice President of Marketing, E&J Gallo Winery, Stephanie Gallo, speaking on the subject of “Cultivating Boldness for Personal Growth and Professional Gain,” as well as President & CEO, House of Krug, Maggie Henriquez, and Founder, South Africa’s House of Mandela Wines, Dr. Maki Mandela.

Moderators scheduled for panels include Chief Wine Critic for the New York Times, Eric Asimov; Founder, Sokol Blosser Vineyards, Susan Sokol Blosser; Senior Director of Human Resources for Domestic Sales and Affiliated Distributors, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Alison Jerden; Executive Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Susan Kostrzewa; Wine Educator, Author, Consultant and Speaker, Leslie Sbrocco; M.S., CWE, Corporate National Accounts On-Premise Glazer's Family of Companies, Guy Noel Stout; Founder and Motivator in Chief, Force Brands (BevForce, FoodForce), Josh Wand; and Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Vintage Wine Estates, Terry Wheatley.

The Symposium theme for 2016, “Step Up, Step Out,” is supported by seminars including:

  • “Finding the Time: Balancing Work, Relationships, and Life”
  • “Speak Up: Unlock Your Confidence to Stand Out”
  • “Negotiating with Giants”
  • “Family Ties: Taking the Reins”
  • “Navigating the Career Jungle”
  • “Spirited Women: Taking the Lead”
  •  “Unsung Heroines”


Panelists for the second annual Women of the Vine Global Symposium include: Marilisa Allegrini, Allegrini Estates; Mary Barranco, Southern Wine & Spirits; Karena Breslin, Constellation Brands; Laure Colombo, Vins Jean-Luc Colombo; Jennifer DePaola, Young’s Market Company; Barb Egenhofer, Constellation Brands; Rachael Ellas, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; Kelly Gamble, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; Violet Grgich, Grgich Hills Estate; Sandra LeDrew, Treasury Wine Estates; Lorraine Luke, Republic National Distributing Co.; Helen Mackey, Ruth's Chris Steak House; Cristina Mariani-May, Banfi; Simeen Mohsen, Vintages by Harlequin; Roberta Morrell, Morrell & Co.; Donna Morris, Winderlea Vineyard, OR; Anita Cook-Motard, Glazer’s; Maeve Pesquera, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar; Jayne Portnoy, Napa Technology; Rachel Seder, Southern Wine & Spirits; Clarice Turner, Starbucks; and Carolyn Wente, Wente Vineyards.

The symposium also offers multiple networking opportunities with the alcohol beverage industry’s top professionals and influencers, including executive management, human resource professionals, directors of sales and marketing, on- and off-premise wine and spirits buyers, distributors, wine educators, winemakers, sommeliers, mixologists, importers/exporters, winery owners, public relations, media, viticulturists, hospitality operations, and more.

To view the full agenda, visit WomenOfTheVine.com.

“We couldn’t ask for a more stellar lineup of speakers, moderators, and panelists this year,” said Founder and President of Women of the Vine, Deborah Brenner. “Each person involved is participating out of passion for advancing the careers of women in the alcohol beverage industry. Attendees can expect to take away plenty of inspiration, tools, techniques and new friendships.”

As of today, Sponsors so far for the Women of the Vine Global Symposium include Founding Sponsor, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.; Diamond Sponsors: CF Napa Brand Design, Constellation Brands, E. &J. Gallo Winery, Glazer’s, Moët Hennessy USA, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, The SOMM Journal, The Tasting Panel Magazine; Platinum Sponsors: Palm Bay International, Treasury Wine Estates, Vintages by Harlequin, Vintage Wine Estates; Gold Sponsors: Bacardi, Banfi, Charmer Sunbelt Group, Fetzer, Global Wine Cellars, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Pernod Ricard USA, Republic National Distributing Company, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Trinchero Family Estates, Wente Vineyards, WineShop At Home, Young’s Market Company, among others.

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Deborah Brenner at info@womenofthevine.com, or call 888-750-1863.

About The Women of the Vine Alliance
The Women of the Vine Alliance is a membership-based alliance that empowers and equips women worldwide to advance their careers in the alcohol beverage industry, fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large. Guided by an advisory board of top international executives in the alcohol beverage industry, Women of the Vine offers extensive education, advocacy, training, mentorship, networking and steadfast support for women at every position in the field, particularly through the annual Women of the Vine Global Symposium, April 4-6, 2016 in Napa, California. Women of the Vine: Raising the Bar. For more information, please visit WomenOfTheVine.com or call 888.750.1863.


 December 01, 2015