From washing pots in a pub at fourteen to producing wines poured on respected lists and co-founding a women-led winemaking collective, her journey through wine has been shaped by resilience, independence and deep passion. Here, she shares how she found her way into the industry, the challenges she’s faced, the moments that defined her path, and what she believes still needs to change.
How did your journey into winemaking begin? What was your first role in the industry?
I got my first job in a pub at 14, washing pots. I hated it but the owner was of a different generation and used to pour us all one glass of wine. So I suppose this was my first industry position…
But my real involvement started when I started working at Riddle and Finns in Brighton. Huge focus on Champagne and we were lucky enough to be taken on trips to meet producers and there was a heavy focus on training. It really helped to be intensely focused on one region. It really helped me understand the diversity one small area can express.
As a woman in the winemaking world, what has been your biggest challenge?
I think when I started out as a somm it was a men, but I don’t want to be as basic as to tar all men with the same label. It was a specific type, an old school, patriarchal type. Ones that thought woman should be standing in front of a kitchen sink or breeding. I had similar issues when I started contract vineyard work and tractor driving. With a certain type of man, me arriving was their worst nightmare! Small young female with a nose ring whose father didn’t own 100 acres of farmland or drive a Land Rover (apologies to those who don’t fall into this description).
I think men per se in a lot of aspects men are not to blame in terms of behaviour, but when you arrive to tastings and it is 20/1 men to woman, the inherent habits of many years creates a feeling of being an outsider, or inadequate by comparison.
This is a continually evolving situation for me and I think a lot of that is based on education and a focus on inclusivity for all genders. In my personal experience over the last 20 years it is definitely improving.
What achievement or moment in your career are you most proud of?
There are 3 (sorry).
My first ever wine order from my first vintage. Alfredo from the Natural Wine Company ordered 150 bottles (25% of what I’d made). I called my mum and cried. I couldn’t believe someone wanted to pay for what I’d made.
Number 2 (a few years later) my distributor called me and told me that the Torrer Brothers had blind tasted my wine, Sasa, and wanted it on their list. Jaw dropper.
Number 3 (and most recent) myself and 12 other woman have created a collective wine making project - Espice Girls, with all the proceeds donated to a local charity for woman in vulnerable situations. To be part of a collective and a new country where no one benefits, is really beautiful.
What do you wish someone had told you when you were just starting out in the wine industry?
Don’t worry about anyone else. Don’t compare yourself, you don’t need to compete, be the best you, be the you you like and are proud of, work as hard as you can, and you’ll achieve it all. This would have helped a lot of my anxieties.
Who inspires you most in the world of wine?
Nuria Renom was always a huge hero for me. She was the woman to me who just did it, fuck everyone else, her journey was her own and you were lucky to be part of it. She’d come from another country, with no wealthy wine making family bank rolling her, or giving her land. She did it all; and that really drove me. Plus she’s a really great person and her wines are super special.
What changes would you love to see that would make the wine industry more inclusive, equitable, and supportive for everyone?
The obvious atrocities Trump is inflicting on the trans community is unforgivable. This is effecting people globally. This has to be the most pressing issue. This has made big ugly waves in the wine community and it’s inspiring to see people come together to help each other and keep lives going. There needs to be more education and transparency on this issue, or it undermines any type of inclusion and support in the wine world. It can’t be ignored.
With a career built on instinct, hard work and refusal to conform, her path through the wine world speaks to independence and purpose. From first vintages to collective action, she continues to challenge tradition, open doors for others, and prove that meaningful change in wine comes not only from the vineyard — but from the people brave enough to reshape the culture around it.
