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International Women’s Day

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International Women’s Day

On the list of “International Days”, one of the more important ones to celebrate is International Women’s Day. Although many corners of the world have come a long way when it comes to gender equality, we still have a long way to go. And everyone can make an effort here. Gloria Steinem said it best when she said: “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”

When women aren’t present, we must ask: “If not, why not?”

Every february, I spend a few nights camping outside Vinmonopolet at Aker Brygge, for the annual Burgundslipp. I am usually 1 of 2 women, or the only woman. And the other women are usually there with their fathers or boyfriends. As the number of people grow, the number of women does not. It’s been like this all of the five times I’ve participated in this yearly circus. And I’ve always wondered why. Are women less interested in getting their hands on rare wines from burgundy?  Or is it the weather? Are women less likely to camp outside in Norway in February? Or is it because they don’t feel safe camping on the streets in a big city? I honestly don’t know.

Regardless of the reason, it’s strange. And a bit sad. But what’s worse, is the number of times I got asked “which number is your boyfriend in the queue?” or “who are you visiting?”. The assumption being that I was not in the queue myself. Even the media covering the release assumed I wasn’t in the queue. A journalist standing in front of me looking around, asked her cameraman who they hadn’t talked to yet, then pointed to two young men right behind me and proceeded to shove past me, as if I wasn’t even there. And not to bring up a separate issue, but why talk to yet another pair of bottle flippers, instead of one of the only women in the queue?

Even when I was inside the store, with my ticket, waiting in line to get my hands on the wines behind the counter, a Vinmonopolet employee questioned my participation. To the man before me, he simply asked “Can I see your ticket?”, whereas when it was my turn, he asked “Do you have a ticket?”, as if I had ended up there by taking a wrong turn or something. What the fuck is that about?

And all these relatively insignificant examples show that we still have a long way to go. Because there are many worse things happening to women today. In some corners of the world, only 40% of girls finish secondary school[i].  Of all the Fortune 500 companies, only 10.4% have a female CEO[ii]. And don’t get me started on how women’s rights are being downright violated in the US these days. And while I can’t single-handedly solve any of these problems, I can do everything in my power to fight for women’s rights and equality for women.

Women in Wine

One way I feel like I can contribute, is to support women in wine. So, in honor of International Women’s Day, I am shining an extra light on female winemakers and women in the world of wine. And thankfully, there are quite a few. But I mean, why shouldn’t there be?! Today there is absolutely no reason why there should be more male winemakers or more men in this business. I know that back in the day it was considered more suitable for men, mostly because the work was very physical. I personally think this is a stupid excuse to keep women from working in a winery, even back then. But today, with the tools and equipment available, it’s an argument that can no longer be used.

And we see it more and more: women in the world of wine. Just the past few years quite a few young female winemakers have turned up on my radar. Lalu, Cadipress, Philine Isabelle, Prandi – and that’s just in Langhe. In addition to the new arrivals, we have to remember all those who came before. Women who have paved the way, and not just winemakers. But women in all aspects of the wine industry! And although we’ve come a long way in many parts of the world, many women still have to fight for their rights every day.

And that’s why it’s important to celerbate International Women’s Day. “Together we can forge gender equality. Collectively we can all #AccelerateAction.”

[i] https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/progress-girls-access-education-what-new-unesco-data-reveals#:~:text=Completion%20rates%20of%20girls%20increased,than%20there%20were%20in%202015.

[ii] https://fortune.com/2023/06/05/fortune-500-companies-2023-women-10-percent/

Women in Wine

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Today, there are tons of women in wine. Just typing this statement feels weird, because why would there not be women working in wine? But rewind about 50 years; it wasn’t that common.

We all know (and love) Chiara Boschis, who today is one of the most important winemakers in Langhe. When she first started out, she was “sort of an exotic fruit” because the fact of the matter was, “there were no women in the winemaking.” Thankfully, it’s not like that today.

These days, there are so many incredibly talented women in wine. There is Carlotta Rinaldi, who is working tirelessly to “leave to the next generation a better place, a better soil or at least as good as our grandfathers and our fathers gave to us.” Then you have Diana Snowden Seysses, a badass woman doing everything in her power to be as sustainable as she possibly can. After experiencing extreme heatwaves in 2017, she started “learning about climate change with maternal fervor.” Her knowledge on climate change and C02 emissions is incredible, and I think we can all learn a lot from her!

Women in Wine – every step of the way

Women in wine are working in every step from the vineyard to the wine stores. And although the actual winemaking is a very important job (otherwise we wouldn’t be drinking really good wine), the other aspects of this industry are also very important. Marketing, Sales, Shipping, Logistics, Design – these are all areas involved in getting the wine out of the winery and into our cellars.

So you have Marta Alessandria and Nadia Curto, who spend a lot of time working in the vineyards and in the wine cellar. And then you have Isabella Oddero and Jenny Battaglino, who work mostly with getting the wine out of the winery and into wine stores (or your wine cellar). Which means you’ll likely find them in the tasting room showing their wines to people from all over the world, or in the office, trying to keep up with the many e-mails that pop up in their inbox every day. Honestly, you wouldn’t believe all the paperwork and bureaucracy that goes on in a winery. But someone has to do it! Which makes it a very important job. So thank you, Isabella and Jenny, and all the other women working in this industry, for all the hard work that you do!

More Wonderful Women

Nadia Curto, a hardworking farmer, doing everything in her power to avoid using chemicals and working sustainably.

Marta Alessandria, an energetic winegrower, who spends most of her time in the vineyards, working in harmony with nature.

Maria Teresa Mascarello, a force to be reckoned with, who makes some of the best wine this world has ever seen!

Swantje Rausch, a persevering young woman, who uprooted her entire life to come make wine in Barbaresco.

Clothilde Lafarge, a young, fierce winegrower, making some of the best wines Burgundy has to offer.

Silvia Altare, an incredibly intelligent woman, who has taught me so much over the years.

Veronica Corino, a passionate and kind winemaker, working hard in the vineyard, the cellar and the tasting room.