International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate progress, reflect on change, and raise a glass to the women redefining industries around the world, including wine.
Eight years ago, I founded Elizabeth & Wine with one simple mission: to look behind the label and celebrate the talented winemakers shaping the bottles we love. What started as curiosity has become a long-term journey into the people, places, and craftsmanship behind every glass.
Over time, one thing has become increasingly clear: some of the most exciting wines being made today are being led by women.
Across vineyards, cellars, and wineries worldwide, female winemakers are reshaping what modern wine looks like, how it is made, and how it is enjoyed.
Innovation in modern winemaking is one of the most defining shifts. Women in wine are not just part of the industry; they are actively reshaping it. From working with lesser-known grape varieties to rethinking traditional winemaking techniques, there is a quiet confidence driving innovation forward. This approach is producing wines that feel more expressive, more contemporary, and more personal. For me, this is where the most exciting change in wine is happening, not in marketing, but in the vineyard and the cellar.
Sustainability and respect for the land are another powerful thread. One of the most important shifts in the wine industry is the growing focus on sustainability, and women are often leading this movement. Many female winemakers are at the forefront of organic, biodynamic, and low-intervention winemaking. This is not about trend-driven language; it is about a deep respect for the vineyard and long-term environmental responsibility. It reflects a way of working with nature, not against it, and it is shaping the future of wine production in a meaningful way.
Drinkability and modern wine culture are perhaps the most noticeable shifts for wine drinkers today. There is a growing focus on wines that are vibrant, fresh, and ready to enjoy now. Wines that are not created solely for long ageing, but for sharing, drinking, and experiencing in the moment. These are wines that feel welcoming rather than intimidating, and that shift is helping make wine culture more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Wine has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, but that is changing. Slowly but surely, the balance is shifting, voices are being amplified, and the stories behind the bottle are becoming richer and more diverse. That evolution matters because when the industry becomes more inclusive, the wine becomes more interesting.
This International Women’s Day, I am raising a glass to the women behind the vines, the cellars, and the bottles, and to those changing the narrative of wine itself.
Because when you look beyond the label, you often find that the most compelling stories are being written by women.
Elizabeth Hawthorthwaite
