Celebrating Women and Wine

It’s Women’s History Month, so there is no better time to revel in the wondrous wines that women are producing these days. Go to the Wine Institute of California’s web page, and swallow these stats:

• Women make up 52 percent of the adult population.
• Women buy 57 percent of the wine consumed in the United States.
• In 1890, 10 percent of the winemakers were estimated to be women.
• In 1990, women still only accounted for 10 percent of winemakers.

While women likely play a more prominent role in winemaking than this seemingly low-ball estimate, there is no denying that many of the wines they make – most likely because of skills and experience rather than gender – are some of the best in the world. So, in celebration of Women’s History Month, here are five great winemakers who happen to be women that deserve your attention:

Kris Curran
Sea Smoke pinot noir – as featured in Sideways – is one of the most coveted wines with such limited productions that even the winemaker has to pay for her very limited share, and Kris Curran was there making some of its early 2000 vintages. A dog lover with four German shepherds, she chose to major in animal science, rather than enology because the college she preferred to UC-Davis, didn’t have that program. She says, she still got her fair share of chemistry and biology, and her natural proclivity to producing sensational wines is clear. In 2008, she moved on to Foley Wines for new challenges with Pinot Noir, but this is a winemaker who seems to have a golden touch with the vines anywhere she goes.

Laura Catena
Vice president of Argentina’s famous Bodega Catena Zapata, where she does the research that leads to some of the top blends for her father, Nicolás Catena, Laura Catena is also the owner of her own “Luca” label and has written a book about Argentinean wines. Many who frequent Hinsdale Cellars will remember Sean Chaudhry’s forays in Argentina, which included memorable dinners and tastings at Bodega Catena Zapata. A believer in Cabernet-Malbec blends, Catena is producing some of those most notable and luscious reds we have come to love and even expect from Argentina.

Heidi Barrett, California
Robert Parker Jr. refers to Heidi Barrett as the “First Lady of Wine,” and it’s no surprise as she has been the winemaker behind renowned Screaming Eagle, a Cabernet that consistently thrills wine lovers and collectors. Barrett is the only winemaker ever to have received five perfect scores from the top wine critics in the country, and in 2008, she moved onto Fantesca Estate and Winery, a boutique wine producer in Napa Valley, still leading the way when it comes to unique, special California wines.

Ann Colgin
“Superstar” is how many refer to Ann Colgin, who is known for building a world-renowned reputation for California’s small production, hand-crafted red wines. While her Lamb Vineyard wines have drawn special attention, Colgin Cellars wines are all sought-after, often hard-to-find wines. Reportedly, that is because annual production is limited to just 300 cases, with more than 4,000 people on a mailing list, clamoring to have some of her latest efforts.

Celia Masyczek
Former Staglin Family winemaker, Celia Masyczek is now one of the most sought-after consultants in Napa, having earned her fame with high-end Napa Valley reds. Masyczek cut her teeth in winemaking in Medford, Ore., where she grew up as the daughter of a wine collector and home winemaker. After a fermentation science degree from UC-Davis, she may have started her career with an eye toward chemistry, but ultimately she has let her own sense of taste lead her to many noteworthy wines. As freelance winemaker, Masyczek is based at Laird Family Estate and has nine clients. Some of her past and current clients are: Hartwell, D.R. Stephens, Husic, Rocca, Cornerstone and recently Scarecrow from the JJ Cohn vineyard (whose 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon earned a Robert Parker Jr. 98-point rating.).

With winemakers like these, it makes it irresistible to make a toast to them with some of their latest creations. See what Hinsdale Cellars has in store today!