"Even 30 years ago, winemaking was an overwhelmingly male profession, as “bro” as driving atruck or working as a fishing guide. Back then, outstanding winemakers such as Zelma Long and Carol Shelton roamed the winemaking landscape but had very few peers. In the 1990s, the first woman winemaker in the Finger Lakes was a big deal. As top industry posts were still closed to women, the brightest often moved into academia or served the industry as extension agents or in outside laboratories.
"Today, while the wine industry has far from achieved parity, women in top winemaking positions are not nearly as novel. To commemorate Women’s History Month, I recently tried a few wines from large, prominent California wineries whose top winemaking posts are held by women making history now."
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"Brooke Bobyak, the new head winemaker at Bella Union, part of the renowned Far Niente Family of Wineries and Vineyards, oversees the entire process of making the wine — from the grape to harvesting to bottling. In college, Bobyak studied abroad at University of Bordeaux and worked harvests in New Zealand and Tuscany. She switched gears and studied winemaking at UC Davis. A fruit-forward and generous cabernet, Bella Union 2017 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon smells spicy with a velvety, rich texture and cherry and raspberry with hints of chocolate and truffle. You can find this wine online from $50 to $65. HHHH"
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