Women have long fought for their place at the helm of restaurants, wine bars, and wineries. In the 19th century, many female winemakers and vineyard owners found themselves in charge only after their husbands passed away. There was Madame Clicquot, the owner of Veuve Clicquot, Hannah Weinberger, the first female winemaker in Napa Valley, Dona Antónia, the savior of Portugal’s Port wines, and Louise Pommery, creator of brut Champagne, just to name a few.

Until 1970, no woman had earned the prestigious Master of Wine title. Sarah Morphew Stephen MW became the first. After that, more and more women began making strides in the wine world. To celebrate Women’s History Month, we’re showcasing amazing women in wine. From restaurateurs to sommeliers, women are making a big impact on the wine world – read on for more.

5 Restaurateurs and wine bar owners

Restaurants around the globe are pouring wine by the glass with Coravin. Here are some women we’d like to highlight:

Lauren Wilhelm of The Cigar Cellar | Georgia, USA

Lauren co-owns The Cigar Cellar™ with her husband Eric. The Cigar Cellar was created to serve passionate cigar smokers and fine dining lovers. The warm chocolate interior centered around a cozy fireplace invites folks to come in and stay a while. Lauren and Eric serve a broad selection of fine bourbon, scotch, spirits, craft cocktails, draft beers, and wine by the glass poured with Coravin. Guests pair their drinks and cigars with delicious tapas designed by our 5-star chef.

Sarah Laird of Twist | Colorado, USA

Sarah is the Beverage Manager of Twist in Breckenridge, Colorado. Twist serves refined versions of classic comfort foods like risotto with lobster, chicken breast with blood orange fois gras emulsion, and squid ink fettuccini with shrimp and nduja. Their wine by the glass list poured with Coravin features Bella Union by Far Niente and Dragon’s Tooth by Trefethen.

Elizabeth Marx of Wild Goose Wine Bar | North Carolina, USA

Elizabeth’s wine bar in Corolla, North Carolina, opens in April 2022. Corolla is located on the easten coast of Currituck County on the Atlantic Ocean. The name Wild Goose Wine Bar pays homage to the Native Americans that hunted and fished in the area, naming it “Currituck” or “land of the wild goose.” The wine bar will feature small bites meant to be shared and paired with wine poured by the glass with Coravin.

Corrie Watson of Fort Brewery and Cadillac Wines | Texas, USA

Corrie is co-owner of both Fort Brewery and Cadillac Wines. Fort Brewery was started with the vision of bringing exceptional craft beer, great food, great wine, and fantastic live entertainment to the Fort Worth community. Cadillac Wines is a shop featuring boutique wines and familiar favorites in every price range.

Katie Exton of Lorne | London, UK

Katie Exton is owner and wine buyer at Lorne – her first restaurant. She started her career as a sommelier at Chez Bruce, The Square, and The River Café before opening Lorne in 2017. According to Katie, Lorne is more than just good food. "It’s a neighborhood restaurant where people come to enjoy a warm, welcoming experience that lifts their spirits and makes them want to return time and time again." Visit Lorne and enjoy a glass poured with Coravin.

Monica Galetti of Mere | London, UK

The husband and wife team, Monica and David Galetti, opened Mere to serve up a blend of classical French and South Pacific cuisines. Located in the heart of London, visit to try amazing wine by the glass paired with a la carte menu items or experience a 6-course seasonal tasting menu.

16 She/her winemakers

Marvina Robinson of B. Stuyvesant Champagne

Marvina Robinson’s love affair with champagne began quite humbly as a college student. She and her friends would often pool their limited funds to purchase a bottle of Moet & Chandon White Star at their local liquor store. Fast-forward to today, Marvina is founder and winemaker at B. Stuyvesant Champagne. Learn more about Marvina’s journey and how B. Stuyvesant came to be in our feature.

Theodora Lee of Theopolis Vineyards

Theodora Lee, a senior partner and trial lawyer at Littler, founded Theopolis Vineyards in 2003. In the wine world, she is known as Theo-patra, Queen of the Vineyards. Learn more about Theodora.

Elena Brooks of Dandelion Vineyards

As a young girl in Bulgaria, Elena’s mother worked in a winery. During her childhood, she helped translate for the many Australians who visited. By the age of 12 she was interpreting barrel tastings with the winemakers, by the age of 15 she had the wine knowledge and vocabulary of a verterran, and by the age of 16 she was making her first batches of Chardonnay. Today, Elena is founder and winemaker of Australian winery, Dandelion Vineyards.

Renée Ary of Duckhorn

After 11 years of honing her craft, refining palate, and mastering the Duckhorn Vineyards style, Renée was promoted to winemaker in 2014. As winemaker, Renée works in small lots to preserve the rich complexity of the fruit in the Duckhorn winegrowing program.

Stephanie Dutton of Penfolds

Stephanie, senior winemaker, works with the Penfolds red winemaking team based at the Nuriootpa Winery in the Barossa Valley. Born and raised in Melbourne, a city renowned for its love of food and wine, Stephanie discovered her passion for wine while working in some of her city’s signature restaurants.

There are so many other female winemakers to mention, so other highlights:

• Catherine Faller of Domaine Weinbach (owner)

• Jennifer Halleck of Halleck Vineyard (owner)

• Shae Frichette of Frichette (co-owner)

• Julie Gonet-Médeville of Chateau Les Justices (co-owner)

• Melissa Beck of Hirsch Vineyards (assistant winemaker)

• Giovanna Ciacci of Tenuta di Collosorbo (owner)

• Carolyn Martinelli of Martinelli (owner)

• Cataldina Lippo of Domaine Monthelie Douhairet Porcheret (co-owner)

• Julie Gonet-Médeville of Chateau des Eyrins (co-owner)

• Audrey Sterling of Iron Horse (co-owner)

• Catherine Buisso of Buisson-Charles (co-owner)

There are so many other women making a big impact on winemaking and the wine business and we are so honored to partner with them. Share any of your favorites with us on social media, @coravin.