Three Aussies to address global Women of the Vine symposium

Three Aussie women will fly the flag at the Third Annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium in Napa, California, this month.

The symposium, which runs from March 13-15, will feature Dianne Laurance, Rachel Ashley and Jane Thomson as keynote speakers.

Dianne, the founder of Margaret River's Laurance Wines, was inducted as an Honouree to the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World (LWEW) in Vancouver in 2005 and was announced as the winner of the “Champion of Change” category in the inaugural Australian Women in Wine Awards in 2015. 

Rachel Ashley is the Vice President of Wine Production at Treasury Wine Estates and is accountable for a 50 brand portfolio in the US. Rachel holds a PhD in Viticulture from the University of Adelaide and embarked on her wine industry career in the Barossa Valley. She relocated to California nine years ago.

Jane Thomson is the Founder & Managing Director of The Fabulous Ladies' Wine Society. In 2015 Jane also founded the Australian Women in Wine Awards (AWIWA), of which she is Chair. In both 2016 & 2013 Jane was named ‘Digital Wine Communicator of the Year’ by Wine Communicators of Australia – and is the only person to have won this award twice. She was named as one of Wine Business Magazine’s ‘Top 50 Stars of Wine’ in both 2013 & 2015.

Also in the line-up of speakers for the symposium are Margareth Henriquez, President & Chief Executive Officer, Krug Maison de Champagne; Dr Makaziwe Mandela, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, House of Mandela; Susana Balbo, Founder & Owner, Susana Balbo Wines; Marilisa Allegrini, Chief Executive Officer, Allegrini Estates.

Other notable influencers will include Gina Gallo, Senior Director of Winemaking, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Stephanie J. Macleod, Master Blender, John Dewar & Son's Ltd.; Annette Alvarez-Peters, AIWS, CWE, Asst. Vice President, GMM, Beverage Alcohol, Costco Wholesale; Victoria MacRae-Samuels, Vice President, Operations, Maker's Mark Distillery; Elizabeth McCall, CSS, Woodford Reserve Master Taster & Sr. Quality Control Specialist, Brown-Forman; Caley Shoemaker, Head Distiller, Hangar 1 Vodka, Proximo; and Béatrice Cointreau, Owner & Chief Executive Officer, ADMIRABLE Family Vineyards, Malibu.

Special Guest Speaker, Co-founder and Executive Director of the National Women's History Project and organizer of the first-ever Women's History Week in the nation, Molly Murphy MacGregor, will join Women of the Vine & Spirits Founder & President, Deborah Brenner on stage to kick-off the three-day event.

"With the faith of the wine and spirits industries behind her, Deborah Brenner has sparked a revolution with Women of the Vine & Spirits and the Global Symposium," said Co-Owner, Trade and Brand Advocate, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Cynthia Lohr. "We have the opportunity to continue the passionate dialogue that supports the advancement of women in wine and spirits through networking, mentorship, by fostering leadership groups within companies and organizations, and by inviting all stakeholders to the table to seize and leverage the influence of female executives in the alcohol beverage industry."

According to Nielsen research, women account for 57% of wine volume in the U.S. and Fred Minnick, author of Whiskey Women claims women represent 37 percent of whiskey imbibers in the U.S. In fact, women account for 85% of all consumer purchases, controlling $4.3 trillion of the $5.9 trillion in annual consumer spending (Source: Nielsen 2013).

"Women are an increasingly important force in driving trends and alcohol sales," said Founder & President, Women of the Vine & Spirits, Deborah Brenner. Adding, "Therefore, it makes perfect sense that the industry has so much to gain from more diversity.  Having more women in leadership roles drives innovation and creativity which directly impacts the bottom line. Women of the Vine & Spirits is committed to the advancement of women and ensuring the next generation is being mentored to take leadership roles. We have started a movement - a revolution - and together, we can change the face of the alcohol beverage industry."

The Third Annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium is sold out, but tickets are available to purchase Livestream/On-Demand access to view the Symposium's most sought-after keynote speakers and presenters. Visit womenofthevine.com for more information.