Women in Wine

Miele for Life raises a glass to a stellar collection of female winemakers, viticulturists and sommeliers.

More and more women are leading the way when it comes to the world of wine. And while many female wine identities in Australia and New Zealand have been quietly plying their craft for decades, the industry has more recently celebrated the achievements of women winemakers, heralding them as driving forces in the industry.

The introduction of the Australian Women in Wine Awards in 2015, together with various other media and industry accolades, celebrate the role women play as pioneers, innovators and educators.

“I’m thrilled that more women are making their mark by having their game changing wines receive awards and their work in the industry receive the attention they deserve. That’s certainly something to celebrate with a glass of wine – or three,” says Wine Australia’s CEO, Andreas Clark.

Meet six leading women in wine recognised for bringing something consistently good to the table….

Kathleen Quealy, Winemaker
Mornington Peninsula – Victoria

Melbourne food and wine pioneer Kathleen Quealy was honoured as Australia’s first female ‘Legend of the Vine’ in 2016. Quealy started on a bottling line in the late ‘70s, inspiring her to study winemaking and viticulture under Pinot Gris expert Max Loder in an era where women were encouraged to be nurses or teachers, not winemakers. Known for following her own path with a tenacious approach, Quealy released the very first unwooded Chardonnay in the country in 1990 and was dubbed the ‘Queen of Pinot Grigio’ by Australian wine commentator James Halliday not long after founding T’Gallant on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

At Quealy Winemakers she and partner Kevin McCarthy continue to challenge the norm by cultivating Mornington Peninsula Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris, innovative skin contact whites and an expressive Pinot Noir, to great success.

Virginia Willcock, Winemaker
Margaret River – Western Australia

Virginia Willcock always knew she’d work in wine from an early age, sparked from a family culture of sharing wine at the dinner table. On completing her studies, Virginia ensured she immersed herself at wineries and worked alongside winemakers from around the world.

Now chief winemaker at Margaret River’s famed Vasse Felix, the founding winery of the WA region (producing premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay alongside Shiraz and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends), Virginia is arguably the most awarded female winemaker in Australia.

She won Winemaker of the Year at the 2017 Australian Women in Wine Awards, 2012 Gourmet Traveller WINE Australian Winemaker of the Year and has a host of national and international nominations.

Sally Blackwell, Winemaker
Marlborough – New Zealand

Sally Blackwell made the shift from medical research to South Australia’s Barossa in the early 1980s, where she put her science background to use as a technician at Cellarmasters while studying winemaking.

Skip forward twenty years and her Hawksbridge winery in Marlborough is one of the most acclaimed in the region, recognised for its Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

“I like to make different wines that make people think, share with a meal and remember,” says Sally of her winemaking approach that sees her regarded as one of New Zealand’s finest boutique producers.

Fran Austin, Winemaker
Tasmania

Fran Austin has taken a rather windy road to settle as co-owner and winemaker at Delamere Vineyards in Tasmania.

She grew up in Kalgoorlie, studied winemaking at Adelaide University, worked in Burgundy, Oregon, Yarra Valley and the Adelaide Hills, and was previously winemaker at Hardys’ Bay Of Fires before settling in Tasmania to make cool climate wines. Delamere produce four elite sparkling wines along with excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Austin has been recognised with a host of prestigious awards and achievements including the 2005 Gourmet Traveller Young Winemaker of the Year, 2009 Len Evans Tutorial Scholar and 2016 Don Martin Fellow.

Stephanie Guth, Sommelier
Auckland

Fast becoming a leader in her field, Stephanie Guth from The French Café in Auckland was recognised as the 2017 Sommelier of the Year, the first woman to win New Zealand’s competition.

Originally from Canada, Guth first trained as a chef and five years ago made the transition to front of house. Currently working toward a Master Sommelier qualification, Stephanie is part of a global growth of women entering this particular wine career path.

Sally Humble, Sommelier
Melbourne

Breaking onto the scene a decade ago as one of Australia’s first female sommeliers, Sally Humble has shared her encyclopaedic knowledge of wine with diners at some of Melbourne’s most renowned restaurants. She first made a name for herself with Andrew McConnell’s restaurant Cutler & Co, curating a wine list to match McConnell’s food to wow reviewers and patrons alike. Most recently she opened the acclaimed Lûmé, challenging diners with her food and wine matches. She is currently working in Singapore with the Unlisted Collection hospitality group.