Sip & Celebrate: Women-Owned Wines & Spirits from Vintegrity

Vintegrity is proud to carry exceptional brands owned and run by women who are among the most inspiring professionals in the wine and spirits industry!

 

Black Cabra – Tapiz – Wapisa – Zolo

Black Cabra, Tapiz, Wapisa, and Zolo are Argentinian wine brands owned by Renaissance woman Patricia Ortiz. She is a former nephrologist and social psychologist, and an art collector who brings her training and passions to sustainability practices and cutting-edge technology in winemaking. She leads a skilled technical team that includes top Argentine winemaker Fabian Valenzuela and vineyard manager Carlos Correas in her wineries, Zolo in Agrelo and Tapiz in San Pablo, Uco Valley, in Argentina’s Mendoza region.

Carol Shelton Wines

Carol Shelton is a highly decorated winemaker who began her career 35 years ago at UC Davis. After earning a bachelor’s degree in enology, she oversaw production of 45 wines annually over two decades at Windsor Vineyards. After discovering her affinity for zinfandel, in 2000 Carol and her husband founded Carol Shelton Wines, where she passionately crafts award-winning zinfandels celebrated for their robust flavors and aromas and sourced from vineyards across California.

 

Charbay Distillery

After inheriting Charbay Distillery in 2017, Jenni and Marko Karakasevic continued a family business founded on blending European tradition with American ingenuity. That spirit of innovation has produced exciting new spirits and wines, including the first 100% fresh fruit-flavored vodka in the US and pioneering beer-to-whiskey distillation, knowledge ready to pass down to the next generation for the creation of even more dynamic offerings.

 

Chateau Coupe Roses

The Chateau Coupe Roses winery in southern France, under the direction of Françoise Frissant and with the help of her husband, Prescott, and son, Mathias, spans 143 acres of vineyards that produce wines with a distinctive terroir born from the perfect pairing of Mediterranean sunshine and the region’s crisp mountain breezes.

 

Dandelion Vineyards

In her native Bulgaria, Elena Brooks worked at the same winery as her mother, translating for tourists and visiting winemakers, and by the time she turned 16, she was crafting her own wine. Now, as founder and winemaker at Dandelion Vineyards in McLaren Vale, South Australia, Brooks consistently astounds wine enthusiasts with wines that celebrate the region’s terroir and fine fruit.

 

Dashe Cellars

Anne Dashe and her husband Mike believe that wine enthusiasts should not have to trek to often remote and rural “wine country” for an authentic wine country experience. They founded Dashe Cellars in 1996, working exclusively with small growers in Sonoma, Mendocino, and other similar areas to produce exceptional wines through traditional, natural practices.

 

Domaine Guy Robin et Fils

Marie-Ange Robin is the daughter of Guy Robin, founder of Domaine Guy Robin et Fils, and now she heads the renowned Chablis winery. A formally distinguished fine art dealer in Paris, Robin stewards the winery, famous for its ancient Chardonnay vines, some more than 80 years old. She cultivates wines of profound depth and allure by embracing natural vineyard management and a heartfelt commitment to honoring the region’s fruit.

 

Domaine Pfister

Domaine Pfister has crafted remarkable wines since the era of the American Revolution. The company is now guided by 8th-generation owner Mélanie Pfister. Trained as an engineer and oenologist in Bordeaux and Dijon, Pfister honed her skills through internships at renowned wineries such as Zind-Humbrecht, Méo-Camuzet, Château Cheval Blanc, Château d’Yquem, and Craggy Range, before returning to lead her family’s estate in 2006. The wines produced under Pfister’s direction reflect the northeastern French terroir and family tradition.

 

Giffard

Bottles of Giffard grace the bar shelves of establishments around the world. The brand was first founded in 1885 by pharmacist Émile Giffard, and today, it remains owned and operated by multi-generational family leadership. The great-grandchildren of Émile Giffard, Edith Giffard and her brother Bruno, are co-CEOs, together championing the brand’s dedication to authentic ingredients and tradition while elevating its prestige through its expanded presence in modern cocktail culture.

 

KOVAL Distillery

KOVAL Distillery, led by Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart, is one of the largest women-owned distilleries in the US. She assumed the role of president in 2008 and spearheaded the company’s transformation into a renowned global brand. The distillery specializes in award-winning whiskeys, gins, and specialty spirits, prioritizing creativity and organic production.

 

Fischer

Established in 1973, Fisher Vineyards is now overseen by second-generation siblings Whitney, Robert, and Cameron. Whitney Fisher graduated from Princeton University and worked in various wine sectors before returning to her family’s winery. Cameron assumed the role of director of sales and marketing, while Robert serves as the CEO. Together, the trio upholds the tradition of crafting meticulously balanced and timeless wines, ensuring that Fisher Vineyards maintains its reputation for excellence.

 

Hoopes Vineyards

Lindsey Hoopes, second-generation owner of Hoopes Vineyards, leads operations with a focus on environmental stewardship. Before joining the winery, she built a career in international logistics and worked in the homicide department of the San Francisco District Attorney’s office. Today, she brings that diverse experience to Hoopes, where she has implemented pioneering practices across the estate. All vineyards are either Certified Organic or actively pursuing certification.

 

Jeptha Creed Distillery

Jeptha Creed Distillery is a family-owned establishment that crafts a range of artisanal spirits under the leadership of Joyce Nethery. With roots in agriculture, Nethery’s journey from working on her family’s farm to earning a master’s degree in chemical engineering paved the way for a career in industrial-scale distillation and education. Now, as the founder and master distiller of Jeptha Creed Distillery, Nethery utilizes her expertise in agriculture and chemical engineering to create exceptional bourbon, vodka, moonshine, and brandy.

 

Kerr Cellars

LPGA pro Cristie Kerr took a swing and founded Kerr Cellars with a team of award-winning wine professionals. Kerr Cellars specializes in boutique Napa and Sonoma County wines with a selection of meticulously sourced fruit from local growers. As a Level 1 sommelier, Kerr’s expertise contributes to crafting exceptional wines that are limited only by her boundless imagination.

 

Kylie Minogue Wines

Kylie Minogue demonstrated that her talents extend beyond dance-pop music by launching her wine company in collaboration with Benchmark Drinks in 2020. The portfolio features nine incredible wines, such as the Prosecco Rosé, the best-selling Prosecco in the United Kingdom in 2021 according to Nielsen Holdings. Minogue’s wines have earned two golds from the Drink Business Wine Awards and are now available in several countries.

 

Laird & Company

Laird & Company is one of the nation’s oldest distilleries, first producing Applejack (a staple that is still available!) in the 17th century, and in the 21st, ninth-generation operator Lisa Laird Dunn is now in charge. Laird & Company exclusively uses fresh Virginia-grown apples throughout every step of crafting their renowned spirits, from crushing and juicing to fermenting, all in-house and on-site at the distillery.

 

Larkmead Vineyards

Avery Heelan, winemaker at Larkmead Vineyards, one of Napa Valley’s oldest wine estates, combines her background in science with a passion for winemaking. After earning a degree in chemistry, she went on to receive an M.S. in Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, specializing in Viticulture and Enology, from UC Davis. Today, she oversees all winemaking and vineyard operations at Larkmead.

 

Luli Wines

Luli Wines is a partnership between the Pisoni Family and Master Sommelier Sara Floyd. Floyd’s extensive experience in the wine world includes working with some of the country’s top fine-dining establishments, as well as national sales and marketing. In 2001, she launched Swirl Wine Brokers and, in 2007, Luli Wines, and along the way became the 10th woman in the world to earn the title of Master Sommelier.

 

Macchu Pisco

Acclaimed distillery Macchu Pisco was founded by sisters Melanie and Lizzie Asher. Specializing in pisco production, the company combines tradition and innovation to create exceptional spirits now enjoyed worldwide. The Drinks International Report released in 2023 named Macchu Pisco one of the best-selling and top-trending piscos.

 

Rudd Estate

Rudd Estate in Napa Valley is led by vintner Samantha Rudd and winemaker Natalie Bath, who share a commitment to excellence, innovation and intentional stewardship. Samantha, who grew up on the estate working alongside her father, continues to honor her promise to enhance the land for future generations. Natalie, a childhood friend, brings extensive international experience, including biodynamic training and harvests at some of the world’s most prestigious wineries.

 

Sun Goddess

Sun Goddess Wines, located in Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, is a collaboration between renowned R&B artist Mary J. Blige and Fantinel Winery. The collection features a range of white and rosé wines, including standout expressions of Pinot Grigio, Blige’s favorite varietal. Crafted under the guidance of Blige and Marco Fantinel, the wines are known for their vibrant minerality and refreshing character.

 

Turley Wine Cellars

Turley Wine Cellars, founded in 1993 by emergency room physician Larry Turley, is now led in part by his eldest daughter, Christina, who serves as vice president. A Certified Sommelier, she passed the WSET Advanced program with honors and has been recognized as one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30” and Wine Enthusiast’s “40 Under 40.”

 

 

Lucy Pistolas: Mezcal Artesanal

This smooth, approachable mezcal is produced in a female-owned distillery that was founded just after the Mexican Revolution in the early 1920s. It serves as a tribute to the women who played a critical role in the war and showed incredible strength and determination in protecting the land where this mezcal is now crafted.

 

 

For ordering information or more details about any of these women-owned/operated brands, please contact your Vintegrity representative or send the team a message online!