Celebrating the March of Women!
A few weeks ago, I was invited to share my opinion in a Clubhouse chat about inequalities and the disadvantages faced by women in the wine industry. Keeping in mind the cataclysmic effects of the multiple accusations and instances of discriminatory and predatorial behavior of many male members of the American chapter of the Court of Master Sommeliers, I knew this would be a “loaded” topic.
The wine industry has been known to house and provide a safe harbor to a lot of different and inquisitive personalities, from the artisticly driven as well as to the supremely business minded ones. But it never occurred to me the blatant disregard and mistreatment suffered by so many wonderful wine ladies.
This was a difficult subject to tackle and for me specially, almost foreign.
I cannot remember a period of my life when women didn’t play a pivotal role to bring me to the man I am today!
I grew-up with two sisters and a very intellectual and politically active mother.
I received my early education in music, religion, sports and social etiquette from my brilliant great aunties.
As a child and as a rambunctious teen I was embraced, protected and delighted by the warmth and the culinary magic of my grandmother.
As an adult, trying to catch a break in the wine industry, it was a woman who gave me that break. It was another pair of women who propelled my career forward, thanks Monique McCambridge and Traci Des Jardins. It has been mostly women whom I’ve admired, worked with, consulted with, learned from, drunk with, failed and succeeded but mostly rejoiced with.
There hasn’t been a single period of my life in which women have not played a crucial role in my personal and professional development. I guess what I am saying is that I’ve always been surrounded by strong, smart, loving, fun and formidable women, in order to not be in awe of them and shower them with the respect they deserve.
So, since March is the Women History Month, I think it is very appropriate to speak about a few of the women whom I admire immensely for the intelligence, charm, beauty, entrepreneurship and professionalism.
The San Francisco Bay Area is filled with them, you just need to take a closer look.
Here are just a few of those who run circles around any men, they are the Bay Area Badass Ladies of Wine:
Erin Brooks, who’s intelligence, fierce leadership and uncompromising standards, built Ernest Vineyards Ventures and delight us with every new release of any of her three labels, Edaphos, Ernest and Eugenia.
Laura Catena MD, the wonder-woman of the wine world. A mother, a Doctor, a Book Author, a President of a wine empire in Argentina and a woman of vison, clarity of mind, business savvy and an international personality that makes our business better every day.
Danielle Kuzinich, my beautiful friend who resurrected her beloved Hidden Vine in downtown SF and transformed it into the SF Wine Society, to the delight of all and the incredible vision and personal sacrifice.
Shelley Lindgren, of A-16 restaurants in SF and Oakland, who’s grace, tenacity, unbelievable stamina and unmatched resilience not only survived but thrived during these unprecedented times.
Haley Moore, tirelessly hard-working, gorgeous and fun, pivoted from being a beloved Sommelier and Beverage director for a restaurant group to create her own events company to great success, bringing joy to thousands during this time of isolation.
Emily Wines MS, a superbly talented wine lady, one of the few women in the world to hold the title of Master Sommelier, one of the few MS to earn the Krug Cup for passing all tests on her first try. She is now taking the reins at the US Court of Master Sommelier to promote change from within, to eliminate discriminatory practices and to promote racial and sexual inclusion.
Debbie Zachareas, my wine mentor, my dearest friend, the woman who made me her Assistant wine buyer in the 1990s, knowing that I had very little to offer and a lot to learn. Creator of the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchants, Oxbow Wine and Cheese, Mission Bay Wines, and more. All her businesses have survived this Pandemic and her incredible business IQ, strength and love of wine kept all waiting to see what the “Big Mama of Wine” comes up with next.
