South Australia’s top 21 female winemakers, viticulturalists and industry advocates
When it comes to South Australian winemaking, women are crushing it. Here we celebrate 21 impressive women in wine.
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When it comes to winemaking in South Australia, women are crushing it.
In a traditionally male-dominated industry, an upswell of females are coming to the fore.
It’s a trend that will be honoured at this year’s Tasting Australia – the new Women in Wine masterclass one of 35 drinks-led events that form part of the festival, on April 28-May 7.
Sommelier-turned-restaurant manager Meira Harel, who is the festival’s new drinks curator along with her husband, fellow sommelier Banjo Harris Plane, said the event would be a “fun and interactive way” of talking about empowering women in the industry.
“Wine and hospitality has always lacked bringing women to the front,” Ms Harel said. “Whether it’s makers or storytellers or writers, they can come and listen to four very different women, from different backgrounds, and hear their story. There are also three mothers on the panel so I think it will be an interesting conversation that anyone could relate to.
“We also want to talk about what we can do. We want to make sure if you’re a young woman staring your journey in the world of wine – as a consumer; as a professional – what actions can the community do … to create fair and inclusive environments?”
Hosted by Ms Harel, the masterclass will feature Yalumba’s chef winemaker Louisa Rose, winemaker and viticulturalist Tessa Brown, international sommelier Victoria James and wine professional Erin Larkin.
To help celebrate the growing number of women doing amazing things in the industry, we’ve pulled together a list of 21 of the most impressive women in wine – from winemakers to viticulturalists and industry advocates. The list is in no particular order, and while it barely touches the sides (there are so many of you), we hope it provides a spotlight on some of the most influential women in South Australian winemaking as well as its emerging stars. We raise our glass to all of you.
To book tickets for any of Tasting Australia’s beverage masterclasses or tasting tables, visit tastingaustralia.com.au
Sue Hodder and Sarah Pidgeon
Winemakers, Wynns Coonawarra Estate
The pair have been pushing convention with their wines for years, making drops that are brighter, fresher and more youthful than the big bold reds of yesteryear. In more recent times, they’ve become so adventurous as to blend the spicy, aromatic style of Coonawarra shiraz with the perfumed style of riesling.
Charlotte Hardy
Winemaker, Charlotte Dalton Wines
Charlotte has fierce respect for growers and their fruit, and takes a gentle approach to winemaking. As well as receiving several accolades for her drops, she was awarded the Young Gun of Wine Award in 2021. She is also a champion of collaboration. She was the first winemaker chosen to take part in the Guroo project, which brings Kangaroo Island fruit and exciting mainland winemakers together, and also worked with Fiano during Langhorne Creek’s inaugural Project 5255.
Ameila Nolan
Co-owner and winemaker, Alkina
Winemaker Amelia Nolan is spearheading Alkina’s approach to scientifically mapping out the geology of its estate vineyard in Greenock, taking the study of terroir – the idea of ‘place’ in wine – to a whole new level. In the past few years, they have brought the vineyard back to life, planted native vegetation and new vines and developed their micro-terroir project.
Corrina Wright
Winemaker, Oliver’s Taranga
Award-winning winemaker Corrina Wright helps drive diversity in the industry and is committed to the future of South Australian winemaking. She's active in the development of innovative wine styles made from alternative grape varieties, such as fiano, vermentino, sagrantino and mencia.
Louisa Rose
Winemaker, Yalumba
Louisa has been involved in almost every facet of viticulture, winemaking and management. Particular focuses have been the developmental work with viognier and other alternative varieties, sustainability and the use of natural (wild or feral) yeast and bacteria to make the wines. Under Louisa’s stewardship all Yalumba wines from vintage 2012 are made without the use of animal-based fining agents – making them ‘vegan’. Louisa was inducted as Grand Master of the Barossa winemaking fraternity Barons of Barossa in 2019.
Fiona Donald
Chief winemaker, Seppeltsfield
With more than 30 years experience in the industry, Fiona Donald leads the Seppeltsfield winemaking team and is the custodian of the Centennial Cellar. She was awarded Barossa Winemaker of the Year by Barons of Barossa, and in 2016 was inducted as a Baron of Barossa.
Laura Carter
Winemaker, Unico Zelo
Laura’s mission is to craft wines with minimal intervention, producing refreshing and drinkable styles. Together with husband Brendan, she approaches Australian produce with ultimate respect and optimism, and seeks to introduce this into broader farming initiatives and production – as showcased with their sister businesses Okar and Applewood Distillery.
Rebecca and Lucy Willson
Winemakers, Bremerton
The Willson sisters have positioned Bremerton Wines to encompass 120ha of high-quality vineyards, with a modern winery that has been heavily invested in with a premium French and American oak program using 220l barriques. Their wine production has increased from 680 dozen in 1993 to fluctuating between 34-40,000 dozen.
Sue Bell
Winemaker, Bellwether
Sue Bell likes to think outside the box. She’s a savvy winemaker, focusing on the classics as well as dabbling with emerging Mediterranean varieties. She’s won a number of medals and trophies, and was named Australian Society of Viticulture & Oenology Winemaker of the year in 2014 and nominated for Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the year in 2021. As well as wine tasting, guests at Bellwether can take up camping or glamping, and special dinners.
Kerri Thompson
Winemaker, Wines by KT and Skillogalee
A Clare riesling star, Kerri makes wines for Skillogalee as well as her own brand, Wines by KT. She’s an outstanding winemaker, and loves teaching people “something different” about riesling.
Kate Laurie
Deviation Road
Kate was 19 when she realised that becoming a winemaker would allow her to explore her other passion: all things French. She studied at the Lycée Viticole d’Avize in Champagne – training that would ultimately allow her to produce some of the Adelaide Hills' best premium bottle fermented and sparkling wines. All of their wines are handcrafted using traditional wine making techniques and are vegan friendly.
Prue Henschke
Viticulturalist, Henschke
The prominent female partner of the Henschke family, which grows and makes some of Australia’s finest red wines, is committed to restoring balance in the natural environment and regenerating the Hensckhe vineyard ecosystems. She’s previously been recognised as Viticulturalist of the Year in the Women in Wine Awards, and continues to push boundaries trialling new grape varieties in the Barossa Valley.
Lauren Langfield
Winemaker, Lauren Langfield Wines and Orbis Wines
Lauren’s career focuses on the craft of organic and biodynamic viticulture and low-intervention winemaking styles. Her approach has always been vineyard-first and has three key objectives: maintaining good relationships with growers to obtain exceptional grapes; exploring the natural wine movement while satisfying conventional wine drinkers, and being part of an increasing representation of women in wine. Lauren was a finalist in the 2022 Young Gun of Wine Awards.
Alexia Roberts
Winemaker, Larnook and Penny’s Hill
A passionate and experienced winemaker, Alexia (“Lexi”) has been winemaking in McLaren Vale for almost two decades and has undertaken vintages in both France and Italy. She’s chief winemaker at Penny’s Hill, and also leads her own label, Larnook, which was awarded the McLaren Vale Wine Show Chairperson’s Trophy for their 2022 Grenache Gris, just seven weeks after launching the label.
Anita Goode
Owner, winemaker and grower, Wangolina
Anita has been ‘part of the fabric’ at Wangolina since inception, taking over the reins as sole owner in 2013. Taking on many hats – winemaker, vineyard manager and farmer to her 700 acre cattle farm – she is dedicated to the land. She champions semillon as a variety and modern wine style.
Kirsty Balnaves
Business manager, Balnaves
Kirsty joined the family business in 1990 and is responsible for the financial aspects of vineyard management, winery contracting and making and selling Balnaves wines. In 2018 she was a finalist in the Australian Women in Wine Owner-Operator of the Year Awards, which recognises “ladies who run the show”, and she’s a loyal advocate for the Coonawarra region.
Emma Bowen
Winemaker, Bowen Estate
While pushing the boundaries of winemaking is in vogue, Emma stays true to producing traditional Coonawarra styles, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, bottled under cork. As well as being a talented winemaker, she’s also the convener of a group of Coonawarra women called Black Swans who meet regularly to discuss wine over dinner.
Ang and Bec Tolley; Kate Goodman and Lauren Hansen
Winemakers, Penley Estate
Sisters Ang and Bec Tolley have consistently breathed new life into the Penley brand, along with winemakers Kate Goodman and Lauren Hansen, offering a contemporary take on Coonawarra classics.
Stephanie Toole
Owner and winemaker, Mount Horrocks
Stephanie Toole carefully crafts wines made to enjoy with food, with an emphasis on structure and generous fruit flavours. Estate grown grapes are hand-picked and gently handled to ensure the varietal and site-specific flavours, as well as its organic and biodynamic status, are retained.
Jess Hill Smith
Marketing manager and sixth generation family member, Yalumba
After years of managing prestige international brands Krug, Dom Perignon and Ruinart, and then Mentzendorff – the London distributor of Bollinger – Jess returned to Australia and to her family’s Yalumba fold. She continues to drive Yalumba’s “rare and fine” portfolio, and showcases Yalumba on the world stage.
Irina Santiago
Winemaker, Inkwell Wines
A world leader in sustainable viticulture, Irina’s approach to winemaking is hands-on, small-batch, minimal intervention and organic, without sacrificing on deliciousness. In 2015, she was named Viticulturist of the Year at the Australian Women in Wine Awards.
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