“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

– Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005), U.S. Congresswoman

In a perfect world, it might not be necessary to spotlight the accomplishments of women in the wine industry. Sadly, that is not the world we live in. At least not yet. In 2020, a Santa Clara University study of gender equality in the wine industry found that of the 4,200 bonded wineries in California, only 14% had a woman as their lead winemaker. In surveying women wine professionals, the study also found that two out of three women think hiring in the wine industry is biased, with both men and women agreeing that there are three key barriers to gender equality in the industry: Women are judged by different standards, women are less likely to be promoted to leadership roles, and women don’t receive as much mentorship.

While this news is sobering, there is cause for optimism and even some celebration. Today, just a few years later, as more and more wineries embrace the value of gender equality and the benefits of a more diverse workforce, the number of women winemakers in the US has grown to 18% with that number projected to continue to rise in the coming years.

“If you believe in your idea of change and are willing to work hard, sooner or later that dream will be a reality.”

– Naomi Tulay Solanke

Here at MacRostie, we are proud to be helping to move the needle towards creating a fair and equitable industry for a new generation of women wine professionals. At MacRostie, we are a Women-Led Winery guided by Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen, Assistant Winemaker Carolina Guerra, and Grower Relations Manager & Viticulturist Taylor Abudi. Recognized as some of the most talented professionals in the industry, these women lead by example, offering mentorship and quietly, but powerfully, acting as beacons of representation.

“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.”

– Ruth Bader Ginsburg

This March, as we mark Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8), we are excited to shine a spotlight on the women leaders here at MacRostie. Fittingly, the theme of this year’s Women’s History Month is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” At MacRostie, we are doing just that. By advocating for these deeply important issues and telling the stories of our women leaders, we are striving to create a more inclusive era for the wine industry by driving awareness, leading by example, and fostering impactful and lasting change.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we will be spotlighting Heidi, Carolina, and Taylor in the coming weeks. We invite you to learn more about their journeys, and how these remarkable women are helping to change the face of the wine industry.