With wine consumption heavily skewed towards women, expert David Carne asks why the wine industry itself continues to be male-dominated – and argues that change is long overdue

I have written previously for Birmingham Living on the significant role that women have played in winemaking, particularly in areas such as Champagne. Long before ‘Women in Wine’ became a hashtag, women were quietly shaping every vintage – from ancient Egyptian households to Champagne’s most famous cellars, leaving a legacy poured into every glass.

How women are adding value in winemaking

Today, women are leading vineyard design, soil management, and harvesting, introducing innovations in canopy management, yield optimization, climate-adapted practices, and sustainable winemaking. Female owners and executives are reshaping business through fresh marketing, direct-to-consumer sales, and global branding. Wineries led by women are often overrepresented in top wine rankings.

An under-represented group

But the industry remains stubbornly male dominated. Globally, women represent around 30 per cent of wine industry professionals. Even within this statistic, women represent 50 per cent-plus of entry level roles, but their presence in senior roles drops significantly. Women make up less than 10 per cent of vineyard owners, eight per cent of Masters of Wine, 11 per cent of UK sommeliers, roughly 20 per cent of winemakers, and a quarter of wine judging panel members.

Why it matters

Firstly, while winemaking has been male-dominated, wine consumption skews heavily towards females. In the UK, women are nearly twice as likely as men to prefer wine, favouring white, rosé, and sparkling styles, and are often more tolerant of slightly sweeter wines while sensitive to tannins. If the industry better reflected its consumers, it could influence not just who makes wine, but how wine evolves.

Secondly, women are driving sustainable winemaking. Biodynamic and organic vineyards are growing, and women are statistically more likely to adopt these practices. With increasing demand for ethical and environmentally friendly wines, women are leading the charge to protect vines, soils, and practices for the future. This is helping ensure that we not only have better, healthier grapes today, but that the vines survive to produce the wines of tomorrow as well.

Thirdly, wine suffers from a stuffy, elitist image. Greater female representation could help make it more accessible, especially as younger people turn away from traditional wine culture. Consumers want wine, and information about wine, to be accessible so they know how to choose wines they will enjoy. Some of the best wine communicators are women and the more women are represented in senior winemaking positions, the more likely the perceptions of elitism will fade.

DAVID’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MARCH

In honour of female winemakers worldwide, all six of this month’s wine recommendations come from wineries where women have had a significant influence. They are all excellent wines – please enjoy them responsibly.

Something Sparkling:

Albert de Vilarnau Xarel·lo Fermentado en Castaño Gran Rerserva – £35.64, Decantalo, (www.decantalo.co.uk)
A remarkable wine on many levels. Made by Vilarnau’s talented winemaker Eva Plazas Torné, who has over 30 years’ experience and is now head winemaker and general manager. A 10-year-old sparkling wine for under £40, with six months in chestnut barrels adding subtle clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, herbs, and honeyed notes. On the palate, tropical flavours mingle with creamy almond and pastry from lees aging.

Something Fresh and Fruity:

Beronia Rueda Verdejo 2023 – £11.75, Sainsburys.
A bright, elegant Verdejo from Beronia Rueda under winemaker Marian Santamaría de las Heras, who has led the Rueda team since the winery opened. This 2023 white offers intense citrus and white fruit aromatics with herbaceous fennel notes. On the palate it’s crisp and fresh yet texturally silky, balancing zesty lime, white peach and melon with a touch of herbal complexity from the dual harvest blend.

Something Big and Bold:

Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 – £16.99, www.elliescellar.com/
A classically structured Stellenbosch Cabernet from Kleine Zalze’s Vineyard Selection, crafted by a team including winemakers Nataleé Botha, Hanri Ferreira and Carla van Wyk. Aromas of herbal spice and intense dark fruit (cassis and black cherry), fine tannins softened after extended maturation. Balanced and savoury, it’s a great match for grilled meats or mature cheese.

Something Classic:

Robert Oatley Semaphore Shiraz 2024 – £11.75, Co-op.
A vibrant McLaren Vale Shiraz from Robert Oatley’s Signature/Semaphore series, crafted under the guidance of senior winemaker Debbie Lauritz. The 2024 is deep in colour with blueberries, dark cherry and spice as well as noticeable French oak. It has a smooth, elegant finish and would pair well with red meats or hard cheeses.

Something English:

Brabourne Blanc de Noirs, 2020 – £37, www.brabournewine.com
A charming English traditional‑method sparkler from Brabourne Vineyard, where Hester Fenwick’s hands‑on approach to vineyard care shapes the personality of every release. Expect aromas of red apple skin, stone fruit and crumble, with crisp acidity, and hazelnut and brioche on the finish.

Something Different:

Zuccardi Q Chardonnay 2024 – £16.50, Tesco.
A beautiful chardonnay from Argentina, crafted under the guidance of Laura Principiano, head winemaker at Zuccardi. This innovative wine was fermented in concrete and used oak barrels using native yeasts. The result is an explosion of lemon, butter and cream. Discerning drinkers will detect some floral and mineral notes.