Celebrate the women shaping the modern wine world.
Corporate wine tastings celebrating female winemakers, from the vineyard to the glass, perfect for International Women’s Day, women’s leadership programmes and corporate networking, hosted by wine communicator Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite.
What’s a Women in Wine tasting?
A guided wine tasting experience featuring wines made by female winemakers from around the world. These events combine wine tasting with storytelling about the women shaping the modern wine industry: four wines, a hosted tasting, and discussion about the winemakers behind each bottle.
- International Women’s Day events
- Corporate networking evenings
- Women’s leadership programmes
- Client entertainment
Along the way we explore
- The history of women in the wine industry
- The pioneers who challenged the status quo
- The next generation of female winemakers
- How women are shaping the future of wine today
Inspiring women in wine
Across the world, a remarkable generation of female winemakers is producing some of the most exciting wines on the market today. At Women in Wine tastings we explore the stories and wines of producers such as:
Laura Catena
Catena Zapata, Argentina
A fourth-generation winemaker and medical doctor who has played a key role in elevating Argentine Malbec on the world stage through high-altitude vineyards and a focus on terroir.
Cherie Spriggs
Nyetimber, England
One of the most respected sparkling winemakers in the world, and the first woman to win the International Wine Challenge award for Sparkling Winemaker of the Year.
Vanya Cullen
Cullen Wines, Australia
A pioneer of biodynamic viticulture who helped transform Margaret River into one of Australia’s most respected fine wine regions.
Elisabetta Foradori
Trentino, Italy
Widely credited with reviving the native Teroldego grape and championing organic and biodynamic winemaking in northern Italy.
Samantha O’Keefe
Lismore Estate Vineyards, South Africa
Originally from California, Samantha moved her family to South Africa to build a winery from scratch in the cool-climate Overberg region. After devastating wildfires destroyed the estate, she rebuilt, and continues to produce some of South Africa’s most elegant Syrah and Chardonnay.
A shift in wine styles
One of the fascinating themes explored in these tastings is how many female winemakers are helping shape modern wine styles. Across many regions there has been a move towards wines that are:
- Focused on purity of fruit rather than heavy winemaking
- More expressive of their terroir
- Fresh and more food-friendly
- Aged in less new oak
- Made with minimal intervention
While these trends are not exclusive to women, many female producers have been at the forefront of this shift towards more natural, balanced and transparent wines. The result is a style of winemaking that often feels lighter, more elegant and perfectly suited to modern dining.
A typical event
Women in Wine events are designed to be engaging, relaxed and memorable for corporate audiences. A typical tasting includes:
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60 to 90 minute hosted tasting led by Elizabeth
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4 wines made by female winemakers
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Stories behind the producers and their wines
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Discussion around women’s role in the wine industry
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Time for questions and conversation
Optional additions
- Cheese or food pairings
- Wine safari tasting stations for bigger groups
- Larger networking formats
Group size
Women in Wine tastings can be tailored to different audiences. The format can be hosted in offices, private dining rooms or event venues across London.
10 to 20 guests
Seated tasting experience, ideal for leadership groups or client dinners.
20 to 40 guests
Hosted tasting designed for networking events.
40 to 80+ guests
Wine safari format with hosted wine stations and relaxed guest movement.
Perfect for
- International Women’s Day events
- Corporate women’s networks
- Diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Leadership programmes
- Client entertainment
Hosted for teams at
The story behind women in wine
Women have always played a role in wine, but their stories have not always been recognised. Today that is changing. Across vineyards, wineries and restaurants around the world, women are leading some of the most exciting work in wine, from pioneering journalists and master sommeliers to vineyard owners and winemakers redefining entire regions.
Yet wine culture still carries traditions shaped over centuries. Society still expects men to “know about wine”: many sommeliers, around 80% of whom are male, will naturally hand the wine list to the man at the table and ask him to taste first. The fact the phrase “women winemakers” exists at all makes the point: they remain the exception, somewhere around the 15 to 20% mark, depending on who you ask and where you look.
Women in Wine tastings explore this evolution, celebrating trailblazing women, the progress made, and the inspiring women producing some of the world’s most compelling wines today, from Laura Catena’s Argentinian Malbecs to Anne-Claude Leflaive’s Burgundy.
Women in Wine event FAQs
How long does the tasting last?
Most Women in Wine tastings last between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the format and group size.
How many wines are included?
Typically four, all made by female winemakers from different regions of the world.
Can the tasting be hosted at our office?
Yes. Elizabeth regularly hosts corporate wine tastings in offices across London, as well as private dining rooms and event venues.
Is this suitable for International Women’s Day events?
Absolutely. Women in Wine is one of Elizabeth’s most popular formats for International Women’s Day corporate events.
In pictures
From the journal
Hosting a ‘Women in Wine’ event for Simpson Thacher & Bartlett at CityPoint, London
It's #WomensHistoryMonth and for #InternationalWomensDay I hosted a wine event for 120 fabulous women and men at Simpson Thacher and Bartlet
27 March 2023 · 1 min read
A Hidden Gem and an Unforgettable Evening: Our Women in Wine Event at Audley Street with EssenceMediacom
Two weeks ago, I hosted one of my favourite events to date, our annual Women in Wine celebration for International Women’s Day. The setting?
26 March 2025 · 2 min read
A Rooftop Milestone: Celebrating Women in Wine with Elizabeth & Wine | BNY Mellon with St Paul's Cathedral Views
Last week was a milestone moment for Elizabeth & Wine. I hosted a Wine Safari on the rooftop of BNY Mellon for 80 guests, and for the first time, I wasn’t leading…
24 September 2025 · 1 min read
Plan a Women in Wine tasting
Perfect for International Women’s Day, a leadership programme or a client evening. Tell us your date and headcount.