Here at Argaux, we believe that women make the world of wine a better place. As a female owned-and-operated company, we take pride in elevating women winemakers and industry colleagues around the world – especially when their wines are as good as the ones included in this kit. However, despite the wonderful shifts being made within the industry, women still have quite a long way to go in catching up to their male counterparts. In honor of the incredible ladies changing the viticultural game worldwide, we’ve created this Women in Wine kit to share some of our favorite bottles produced at the hands of trailblazing female winemakers across the globe.
‘Gaux to the World of Women in Wine – What to Know
- As of 2018, there were no female CEOs at wineries with annual productions between 100K and 500K cases per year; on a positive note, 25% of wineries producing between half a million and one million cases boasted women CEOs. This same study states that women were underrepresented in sales, viticulture, and winemaking, but overrepresented in marketing and HR departments.
- Interestingly, through it all, it’s been proven that women are actually more sensitive (and therefore, more detailed and often better) tasters than men – yet this somehow does not translate to their representation in the industry.
- According to MacNeil, only 10% of winemakers in California are female, and only 7% and 5% are women in Washington and New York, respectively. However, women have made up around 40% of graduates from the Viticulture and Enology programs at UC Davis.
- Women still continue to make 82 cents to every dollar that a man earns working the same job, with said gap widening to 77 cents to the dollar at management-level positions.
- In terms of higher education, only 29 of America’s 182 Master Sommeliers are women. The statistic gets better in the Master of Wine world, where women hold 131 of the 380 titles worldwide.
Our Inspiration
When we first got into the industry, there seemed to be lots of conversation surrounding the rarity of women in wine. However, much of our inspiration was sparked by historic women like Madame Clicquot, who is credited for inventing riddling (an aging technique used in the production of Champagne), Ann Noble, who invented the aroma wheel, and Carole Meredith, who discovered the origins of Cabernet Sauvignon as a hybrid of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Today we continue to be inspired by women in wine and the growing number of them strapping on their boots and heading into the vineyards, tending to grapes, and producing wines of high complexity and great esteem.
About Argaux
The statistics above (which desperately need to change) make us even more proud of who we are and what we do. Argaux was founded by co-owner Arden Gilfillan, a WSET Advanced Sommelier and Certified Sommelier and co-owner Margaux Reaume, a French Wine Scholar, WSET Advanced Sommelier, Certified Sommelier, and WSET Diploma candidate. The team’s countless combined certifications, expertise, and enthusiasm are the backbone to the company’s mission: supporting small-production, family-owned, and responsibly operating wineries across the world.
In our quest to continue to elevate female-led wineries and companies across the industry, we’ve partnered with Amlière Imports, a boutique wine importer founded by Lexi Jones. In working together, we are able to source wines directly from producers/families and are able to tell their stories honestly and authentically, while also creating strong relationships along the way. Our partnership has also allowed us to create Argaux-exclusive wines, such as our Par Fore the Course Sauvignon Blanc, Paumiste Rosé, and Gouchas Malbec.
Meet a couple #womeninwine by experiencing our Women In Wine Tasting Set
The two women behind the bottles in this box are not only trailblazers in the wine industry, they are setting a higher standard for what it means to be a leader and how to use that success to lift up women around the globe.
2022 Chateau Barbebelle Coteaux d’Aix en Provence ‘Fleurie’ Rosé
Winemaker: Madeline Herbeau
Madeleine is the fourth-generation winemaker at Château Barbebelle in Provence. She owns and cultivates 45 hectares of vines, with some being the oldest vineyards in Aix-en-Provence. The property was bought by her grandmother and they have been farming organically since the beginning. The vineyards are bordered by wild herbs de Provence, cypress trees and wildlife. Among the other animals, there are two adorable mini horses that live on the property. One of which is only 8 months old and is named “Let’s Go” for his wild morning zoomies. “I want to carry on my grandmother’s legacy of producing great quality wines, and more importantly supporting our sustainable ecosystem that we have created on this property.”
2021 Massimago ‘Marchesa MariaBella’ Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
Winemaker: Camilla Rossi Chauvenet
Massimago is derived from the Latin “Maximum Agium” which means the maximum level of well-being. The estate, in the Mezzane Valley in Valpolicella, has been owned by the Cracco family since 1883. In 2003 Camilla Rossi Chauvenet became the guardian of Massimago. She took over her mother’s vineyards and started the winery from scratch. Having good land was a blessing but she had to sell just about all of her belongings, including her car to afford the venture. In 2008 she started farming fully organically and turned the property into an eco-friendly sanctuary. Today you can stay on the property and enjoy their natural wines, food from their garden and the many animals that roam the property freely.
Liquore delle Sirene Aperitivo Americano Rosso
Winemaker: Elisa Carta
The Liquori delle Sirene are a collection of bitters and liqueurs made by the lovely Elisa Carta, a trained sommelier, olive oil taster, and a passionate herbalist. Elisa makes her liqueurs from and around Lake Garda, using recipes handed down to her that have been in her family for generations. They are artisanal creations made from herbs, flowers, roots and fruit; botanical ingredients that are infused singly in alcohol, then combined to give complex, distinctive aroma and flavor. “Sirene” is a tribute to one of the most beautiful bays in the lake, Baia delle Sirene (Bay of the Sirens), and its story.
This aperitivo is made from organically-farmed Trebbiano di Soave and Garganega grapes, as well as local wild herbs from Lake Garda, Italy. No chemicals or artificial coloring is used. The bright red color comes naturally from hibiscus flower, monarda flower, and red potato juice!
This is an aperitivo (think Aperol) but unlike Aperol, is not an industrial, mass produced product.
HOW TO DRINK IT
Enjoy on the rocks, in a Spritz, negroni, or in a paloma with your favorite tequila or mezcal.
NV Sorelle Bronca Extra Dry Prosecco
Winemaker: Sisters, Antonella and Ersiliana Bronca
Sisters Antonella and Ersiliana Bronca have steered their estate along the path of quality since they took the reigns from their father Livio. Joined by Antonella’s husband, Pietro, a winemaker, and Ersiliana’s daughter Elisa, who has recently graduated with a degree in enology, this family team works hard in the vineyard and in the cellar to produce the purest Prosecco out there. Better grapes from organic farming practices and more attention to detail make this Prosecco much tastier than the more commercial examples. This is a great way to upgrade to your spritz and avoid the sugary hangover.
