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Women of the Vine & Spirits began when Founder & CEO, Deborah Brenner, researched and wrote the bestselling book, Women of the Vine: Inside the World of Women Who Make, Taste, and Enjoy Wine. As a former executive and 20-year veteran of the television and film industries, Deborah was familiar with the disenchantment of working in a male-dominated industry. She discovered during a fortuitous trip to Napa and Sonoma that many women in the wine industry – like her own – were under-recognized. As she interviewed women in the wine industry for the book, her commitment to telling their stories galvanized into a vision to empower and support women in this industry.

Through the process of writing the book and championing its subjects, Deborah became inspired to enter the wine business herself, releasing wine from a first-of-its-kind collective of seven artisan women winemakers from Napa, Sonoma and Paso Robles.

 

For the following seven years, Deborah learned the business inside and out. Ultimately, however, all the money, blood, sweat and (a lot) of tears could not foster women in the wine industry the way she had hoped, which led her to shut down the Women of the Vine wine brand and return to the drawing board. 

 

Deborah harnessed this energy and enthusiasm and organized the inaugural Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium in Napa in March, 2015. The event featured informative sessions on diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as, business development focused on the particular challenges that face women in the alcohol beverage industry.

 

With over 500 attendees from five countries, the Global Symposium set the stage for the launch of Women of the Vine & Spirits, a year-round membership organization that exists to empower and equip women worldwide to advance their careers in the alcohol beverage industry, fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large. Women of the Vine & Spirits exists today as the springboard for action, the connection to the brave collective. Women of the Vine & Spirits exists today as the springboard for action, the connection to the brave collective.

 

 

What Are People Saying About Women of the Vine & Spirits
Mel Dick
"At Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, we’re honored to take the lead in supporting this groundbreaking organization in the wine and spirits world. As leaders in the wine and spirits industry, we are committed to growing diverse leadership teams and investing in talent development throughout the company. As Founding Members, we’ll continue to provide our ongoing support to Women of the Vine & Spirits and its overall mission in perpetuity.”
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Mel Dick
President of the Wine Division and Senior Vice President, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
Donna Buoscio
“Allied Beverage Group is proud to support Women of the Vine & Spirits and their commitment to empowering women in the Beverage Alcohol Industry. We believe the accessibility of this organization's services to all levels of managers along with their commitment to making lasting change is fundamental to the ongoing success of Women of the Vine & Spirits. The greatest leadership teams represent diverse talents, perspectives, and skill sets with a keen understanding of the value of soft skills. We are thrilled to be part of an organization that recognizes this and provides the support and guidance needed for women to confidently aspire to ascend ladder in this terrific industry.”
Read more
Donna Buoscio
Director Commercial Finance, Allied Beverage Group
Linda Myerson Dean
“I'm so proud that Wine Warehouse is a member of Women of the Vine & Spirits. You've created an incredible community that can and will change the status quo of women in the beverage alcohol space and, by extension, help advance opportunities, equality and safe work environments for women in general. It's a movement and you're an important influencer. Congratulations and thank you!!”
Linda Myerson Dean
Senior Vice President & Co-Owner, Wine Warehouse
Beatrice Cointreau
“Women of the Vine & Spirits fills a gap I wish existed when I started working in this industry, 30 years ago. Until now, there has never been a forum for women to strengthen ties through opportunities such as regional networking events, discussion boards, educational resources and the Annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium. See the success, the happiness of every one of us participating, the so many projects built already, and the so many friendships started from there. Women of the Vine & Spirits is the only trade organization to advance and support the careers of women in the alcohol beverage industry. I wish to support and advocate Women of the Vine & Spirits as an example in Europe with Deborah’s leading example.”
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Beatrice Cointreau
Owner & Chief Executive Officer, Champagne Tresor de France
Mel Dick
"At Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, we’re honored to take the lead in supporting this groundbreaking organization in the wine and spirits world. As leaders in the wine and spirits industry, we are committed to growing diverse leadership teams and investing in talent development throughout the company. As Founding Members, we’ll continue to provide our ongoing support to Women of the Vine & Spirits and its overall mission in perpetuity.”
Mel Dick
President of the Wine Division and Senior Vice President, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
Donna Buoscio
“Allied Beverage Group is proud to support Women of the Vine & Spirits and their commitment to empowering women in the Beverage Alcohol Industry. We believe the accessibility of this organization's services to all levels of managers along with their commitment to making lasting change is fundamental to the ongoing success of Women of the Vine & Spirits. The greatest leadership teams represent diverse talents, perspectives, and skill sets with a keen understanding of the value of soft skills. We are thrilled to be part of an organization that recognizes this and provides the support and guidance needed for women to confidently aspire to ascend ladder in this terrific industry.”
Read more
Donna Buoscio
Director Commercial Finance, Allied Beverage Group
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