Life has never been easy for women in the wine industry, and they have rarely been able to occupy top positions. The Financial Times highlights the glass ceiling women often come up against. Read the full article here.
Our Geographical Wine Region: North Canterbury, New Zealand
Tucked away in the South of the Island, North Canterbury spans 200km of coastline and lies at the foothills of the Alps. North Canterbury is a close-knit community of around 90 family-owned wineries. With some of the country’s most diversified land, from the volcanic Banks Peninsula to the clay and limestone soils of the Waipara and Waikari valleys, the region is made up of highly varied and interesting soil types. As a result, expressive and aromatic wines are grown here – particularly Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. As an internationally renowned destination for wine, food and travel, the region has an excellent reputation for wine cultivation.
Standout Wines Made by Women
It's important now more than ever to highlight women who are thriving in the wine industry. Below is an article sharing women winemakers and their standout wines. Read the full article here.
Trailblazing Women Championing the Wine Industry
Women may be blazing trails to corner offices and government seats, but there is another industry, far away from the corporate world, where women are also making their mark: the vineyard. The world of wine is a traditionally male-dominated industry, with some old-world wineries dating back as far as 26 generations to the 14th century and beyond. And while feminism may have made leaps and bounds of progress since the wine world's inception, evolution isn't always fast-paced, especially in settings where traditions are cherished and passed down, unchanged, from generation to generation.
But just as successful women are breaking glass ceilings in boardrooms everywhere, a trailblazing group of female winemakers is paving the way for future generations of women in wine—though they would probably dislike being labeled as such: "First and foremost, we are all winemakers," Kerith Overstreet, proprietor of Bruliam Wines told MyDomaine. "We're not just female winemakers but awesome, talented, hardworking winemakers, whose wine stands tall because it's damn good wine, whether crafted by a man or a woman."
Click here to read the full article.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern states, "Creativity is What Will Continue to Set Us Apart"
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand's second female Prime Minister, and an advocate for arts, culture and heritage, believes the music industry has become one of the country's most precious commodities.
Once a DJ herself, Ardern is an important supporter of the music industry, and fostering creativity at a young age to support young artists in building their careers.
Along with supporting the emergent music industry in New Zealand, Ardern also sees the importance of STEM careers, saying, "My message would be that creativity is what will continue to set us apart alongside STEM subjects."
Read the full article here.
Forbes Asks "Where Are the Women in Wine?"
Forbes covers Women in Wine Leadership Symposium, bringing to light the conversation of Women's exclusion from the Wine Industry for decades. Wine critic Jancis Robinson visit New York City to talk about wine, writing and mentorship at the sixth annual Women in Wine Leadership Symposium.
Many authors and speakers touched on the growing interest in Women in Wine. In author Ann B Matasar's 2010 book, Women in Wine: The Rise of Women in the Global Wine Industry, Matasar notes that, “No business or industry reaches further back in history or is more global in scope than the wine industry. And no industry has so resolutely excluded women from positions of influence for so long.” She goes on to state, “What one sees is the emergence of an industry that is changing in a multitude of ways, from vineyard management to winemaking to international sales. No matter where you look women are participating in and leading those changes. Their collective experience provides a constructive paradigm for women seeking advancement throughout the business world.”
Another speaker shared her thoughts on innovation in the industry, “What’s really needed for innovation is inclusion,” said Jennifer Thorpe-Moscon, PhD — director and panel manager for the research organization Catalyst, which is “dedicated to creating workplaces where employees representing every dimension of diversity can thrive.”
Click here to read the full article on Forbes.com
Looking for a similar read? Check out Women of the Vine by Deborah Brenner.
Top 10 Sustainable Wine Regions in New Zealand
New Zealand has over 10 significant wine-growing regions, including Canterbury, home of our Mt. Beautiful winery in the Cheviot Hills. Slightly off the beaten path on the South Island surrounded by grassy plains, clear lakes and snow-capped mountains, the crisp climate of Canterbury makes for good Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
Northland: The country’s warmest ripening conditions make Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay the varieties of choice.
Auckland: Look for superb Chardonnays, particularly from Waiheke Island, but Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are also popular. Matakana, north of Auckland, produces Merlot, Syrah (Shiraz), Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.
Bay of Plenty: A small but growing wine-producing region with an emphasis on Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.
Gisborne: The Chardonnay capital of NZ consistently produces delicious examples of this popular wine.
Hawke’s Bay: This region has one of the longest traditions of wine making in NZ. Local Chardonnays are stunning, as are the reds. Look for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Pinot Noir.
Wairarapa: This small but significant wine-growing area produces premium examples of Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris.
Marlborough: Many consider this the Sauvignon Blanc capital of the world – hot, sunny days and crisp nights intensify flavour. The region also produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling, and is developing a reputation for Méthode Traditionelle sparkling wines.
Nelson: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir are best suited to this region’s cooler growing conditions.
Canterbury: The crisp climate makes for good Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
Central Otago: Home to some of the southernmost vineyards in the world, here the emphasis is on Pinot Noir, with some Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling also produced.
To learn more, visit Whats Hot In New Zealand.
Women in Wine Initiative: To promote and facilitate the participation and success of women in our industry.
Women in Wine is the start of something very exciting which has the potential to become huge. It will perhaps challenge the industry to think about how businesses are run and that maybe through increased diversity, the industry can become even stronger.
Natural Wonders: Glowworm Caves of New Zealand
New Zealand's natural wonders span far and wide, with many sites to see. The Waitomo Glow-worm Cave is home to thousands of glow-worms that light up the cave ceiling like a starry night sky. This species of glow-worm, Arachnocampa luminosa, which is found exclusively in New Zealand, emits a blue-green glow that illuminates the underground cave river. Though, the glow-worms aren’t really glow-worms. They’re fly larvae. And what causes the glowing? Excretory organs. These insects produce a silk-like thread used to trap flies and other bugs for them to prey on. And the hungrier they are, the brighter they glow.
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are located in the southern Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand