Deborah Brenner

Women of the Vine & Spirits Announces New Corporate Membership Benefit for Women-Owned Companies

Organization creates Women Owned & Certified Logo and Database to champion women-owned businesses in alcohol beverage industry

February 12, 2019 (New York, NY) – Women of the Vine & Spirits (womenofthevine.com), the world’s leading organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry, announced today the introduction of a new corporate membership benefit for women-owned companies, creating pathways for supplier diversity and increased market-share for women-owned businesses in alcohol beverage.

Women of the Vine & Spirits aims to create a movement of support for women-owned businesses in the alcohol beverage industry and is dedicated to raising awareness for why, where and how to buy women-owned products and services in all sectors of the industry. Corporate Members of Women of the Vine & Spirits who are 51 percent owned, managed, and controlled by a woman and become certified by WBENC or WEConnect International as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), will now have the ability to apply for the Women of the Vine & Spirits Women Owned & Certified logo and will be featured in the Women of the Vine & Spirits Women Owned Database. The purpose of the logo and database is for buyers, wholesalers and consumers to easily identify women owned certified brands in the three-tier system.

According to a study America’s largest retailer (Walmart) conducted of its shoppers, 90 percent of female customers in the US would go out of their way to purchase products from women. Additional research by Nielsen shows women account for 57 percent of wine volume in the US and Fred Minnick, author of Whiskey Women claims women represent 37 percent of whiskey imbibers in the US. In fact, Nielsen also found that women account for 85 percent of all consumer purchases, controlling $4.3 trillion of the $5.9 trillion in annual consumer spending.

Furthermore, according to the study “The Truth Behind Gender and Global Wine Consumption: Do Women Really Approach Wine in a Different Way to Men?” conducted by Wine Intelligence, in collaboration with Women of the Vine & Spirits, key findings included that “evidence suggests women are more likely to purchase wines made by female winemakers when this fact is consciously pointed out to them in an explicit way.”

“Trillions of dollars are spent each year on diverse suppliers globally, yet, less than one percent is spent on woman-owned companies,” said Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits. “It is our mission to change that, and to connect our members through our global network and advocate how purchasing products from women-owned companies is an investment in women’s economic advancement, which sets a direct path towards gender equality and economic growth, globally.”

For more information on the Women Owned & Certified Logo and Database, visit the Women Owned & Certified Logo and Database page under the Corporate Member tab at womenofthevine.com and meet us in our Lower Level Suite, Cordova 6, at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Convention April 1 – 3, 2019 in Orlando, FL.

Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Members include Founding Member, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Diamond Members: Bronco Wine Company; Brown-Forman; E. & J. Gallo Winery; Moët Hennessy USA; and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Platinum Members: Caesars Entertainment; J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; Pernod Ricard; Shaw Ross; and William Grant & Sons. For a full list of Corporate Members including those at the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Associate level, visit the Corporate Members tab at womenofthevine.com.

About Women of the Vine & Spirits
Women of the Vine & Spirits is the world’s leading organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry. Women of the Vine & Spirits is an organization for members to connect through our global and diverse network and collaborate across all industry sectors. Providing members with resources and opportunities to thrive is the cornerstone of our organization and success. We offer steadfast support for women at every position in the field with membership benefits that include: education, training, mentorship, entrepreneurship and networking as well as tools, services and resources for personal and business development. Together, we are a committed community taking action and making a positive impact on the alcohol beverage industry, worldwide. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com.

CONTACT:

Kyndal Korsgaden          

Kyndal@womenofthevine.com

805-779-0301

Founder of Women of the Vine & Spirits, Deborah Brenner, Named “Social Visionary of the Year”

Social entrepreneur awarded Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award recognizing visionary leaders making positive impact in alcohol beverage industry

October 16, 2018 (New York) Wine Enthusiast Magazine announced today that Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits (womenofthevine.com) has been awarded the 2018 Wine Star Award for “Social Visionary of the Year”.  Brenner exemplifies the new category, having manifested her vision to give women globally a platform and voice to thrive in the alcohol beverage industry, while inspiring so many to support the movement.

“I am extremely honored to be awarded this accolade, and I share it with all Women of the Vine & Spirits corporate and individual members that joined alongside me in this movement to champion women in the alcohol beverage industry,” said Brenner. “When I first started Women of the Vine & Spirits, I found myself trailblazing through unchartered territory and I could not have persevered without their tremendous support.”

Brenner’s vision to champion women in the industry started back in 2006 when she wrote the acclaimed book, Women of the Vine: Inside the World of Women who Make, Taste and Enjoy Wine. The book was the catalyst for entering the wine business herself after a 20-year career in the tech industry. In 2007, she founded the first-of-its-kind collaborative wine brand, Women of the Vine, featuring notable women winemakers from California. For the following seven years, Brenner learned the wine business inside and out. Ultimately, however, all the money, blood, sweat and tears could not foster women in the 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.

“It was the biggest failure in my life. Letting down all the women I was championing was harder than losing my life savings,” said Brenner. “I owe a huge ‘thank you’ to all the amazing women that took the time to email, write letters, and call me expressing their desire to get involved in Women of the Vine. Thanks to those women, I was inspired and encouraged to take another leap of faith.”

A year later, in March 2015, Brenner organized the Inaugural Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium which was a sold-out success. The women who attended sought out an opportunity to connect through a global network and seek ways to accelerate their business and professional development. They were looking for a forum to collaborate across all industry sectors and to do business with like-minded women and men. It was clear to Brenner that to make a positive impact on the alcohol beverage industry, women needed a voice year-round – not once, annually.

Membership to the organization opened September 2015. What started off as a one-off event and a grass roots movement quickly expanded into a global organization with corporate and individual members connected across 23 countries. Women of the Vine & Spirits has become a catalyst for creating a positive impact in the alcohol beverage industry.

"Deborah Brenner is our recipient of the Social Visionary of the Year Award because she is a change-agent, tirelessly advocating for a more progressive and inclusive environment for consumers and professionals at all levels of the alcohol beverage business,” says Susan Kostrzewa, Executive Editor of Wine Enthusiast and Women of the Vine & Spirits Advisory Board member. "Through her work with Women of the Vine & Spirits and related projects she has modernized the conversation of gender in the alcohol beverage industry, across the globe.”

All Wine Star honorees will be presented their Wine Star Award trophies at a black-tie gala awards dinner on Monday, January 28, 2019 in Miami, FL at Nobu Eden Roc Hotel.

For more information about the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards, visit winemag.com.

To become a member of Women of the Vine & Spirits, please visit womenofthevine.com. For those interested in Corporate Membership opportunities, please email info@womenofthevine.com or call 888.750.1863.

Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Members include Founding Member, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Diamond Members: Bronco Wine Company; Caesars Entertainment; E. & J. Gallo Winery; Moët Hennessy USA; and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Platinum Corporate Members: Brown-Forman; Delicato Family Vineyards; Frederik Wildman & Sons; J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery; Palm Bay International; Pernod-Ricard; Proximo; Shaw Ross; Trinchero Family Estates; William Grant & Sons. For a full list of Corporate Members including those at the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Associate level, visit the Corporate Members tab at womenofthevine.com.

About Women of the Vine & Spirits
Women of the Vine & Spirits is the world’s leading organization dedicated to giving women globally a platform and voice to thrive in the alcohol beverage industry. Women of the Vine & Spirits is an organization for members to connect through our global and diverse network and collaborate across all industry sectors. Providing members with resources and opportunities to thrive is the cornerstone of our organization and success. We offer steadfast support for women at every position in the field with membership benefits that include: education, training, mentorship, entrepreneurship and networking as well as tools, services and resources for personal and business development. Together, we are a committed community taking action and making a positive impact on the alcohol beverage industry, worldwide. Save the date for the Fifth Annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium, March 11- 13, 2019 in Napa, California. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com.

# # #

CONTACT:          

Kyndal Korsgaden
kyndal@womenofthevine.com
(805) 779-0301

Deborah Brenner Nominated for Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star “Social Visionary of the Year” Award

Social entrepreneur & Founder of Women of the Vine & Spirits nominated for newly created Wine Star Award recognizing visionary leaders making positive impact in alcohol beverage industry.

September 6, 2018 (New York) Wine Enthusiast Magazine announced today that Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits has been nominated for a 2018 Wine Star Award for “Social Visionary of the Year”. This new category for the Wine Star Awards focuses on successful leaders who have manifested their visions and inspired people to support a great cause in the alcohol beverage industry.

Brenner’s vision to champion women in the industry started back in 2006 when she wrote the acclaimed book, Women of the Vine: Inside the World of Women who Make, Taste and Enjoy Wine. The book was the catalyst for Brenner entering the wine business herself after a 20-year career in the tech industry. In 2007, she founded the first-of-its-kind collaborative wine brand, Women of the Vine, featuring notable women winemakers from California.

For the following seven years, Brenner learned the wine business inside and out. Ultimately, however, all the money, blood, sweat and tears could not foster women in the 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.

“It was the biggest failure in my life. Letting down all the women I was championing was harder than losing my life savings,” said Brenner. “I owe a huge ‘thank you’ to all the amazing women that took the time to email, write letters, and call me expressing their desire to get involved in Women of the Vine. Thanks to those women, I was inspired and encouraged to take another leap of faith.”

A year later, in March 2015, Brenner organized the Inaugural Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium which was a sold-out success. The women who attended sought out an opportunity to connect through a global network and seek ways to accelerate their business and professional development. They were looking for a forum to collaborate across all industry sectors and to do business with like-minded women and men. It was clear to Brenner that to make a positive impact on the alcohol beverage industry, women needed a voice year-round – not once, annually.

Membership to the organization opened September 2015. What started off as a one-off event and a grass roots movement quickly expanded into a global organization with corporate and individual members connected across 23 countries. Women of the Vine & Spirits has become a catalyst for creating a positive impact in the alcohol beverage industry by giving women globally a platform and a voice to thrive.

"The Social Visionary of the Year Award celebrates industry changemakers who tirelessly advocate for a more modern, progressive or inclusive environment for wine consumers and professionals at all levels in the wine business,” says Susan Kostrzewa, Executive Editor of Wine Enthusiast and Women of the Vine & Spirits Advisory Board member. "Through her work with Women of the Vine & Spirits and related projects she has modernized the conversation of gender in the alcohol beverage industry, across the globe.”

“I am extremely honored to be nominated among such accomplished professionals,” said Brenner. “When I first started Women of the Vine & Spirits, I found myself trailblazing through unchartered territory and I could not have persevered without the tremendous support of our corporate and individual members that joined alongside me in this movement to champion women in the alcohol beverage industry.”

Winners will be announced in the special “Best of Year” Wine Star Awards December issue, and the honorees will be presented their Wine Star Award trophies at a black-tie gala awards dinner on Monday, January 28, 2019 in Miami, FL at Nobu Eden Roc Hotel.

For more information about the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards, visit winemag.com.

About Women of the Vine & Spirits

Women of the Vine & Spirits is the world’s leading membership organization dedicated to giving women globally a platform and voice to thrive in the alcohol beverage industry. Women of the Vine & Spirits is an organization for members to connect through our global and diverse network and collaborate across all industry sectors. Providing members with resources and opportunities to thrive is the cornerstone of our organization and success. We offer steadfast support for women at every position in the field with membership benefits that include: education, training, mentorship, entrepreneurship and networking as well as tools, services and resources for personal and business development. Together, we are a committed community taking action and making a positive impact on the alcohol beverage industry, worldwide. Save the date for the Fifth Annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium, March 11- 13, 2019 in Napa, California. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com.

CONTACT:

Kyndal Korsgaden
kyndal@womenofthevine.com
(805) 779-0301

Listen to the full interview here.

Women of the Vine began when President and Founder 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, Brenner was familiar with the disenchantment of working in a male-dominated industry. As she interviewed women in the wine industry for the book, her commitment to telling their stories galvanized the group as a force whose talents and collective experience could not be ignored.

Women to Watch™ Media is a live weekly radio show and digital platform that tells the real story behind the titles of some of the most accomplished women worldwide.