“I hope that in ten years we’re not speaking about increasing gender equality and that it has become something we don’t have to question anymore.”

— Helena Lageder, Alois Lageder winery

This Monday, March 8th, is International Women’s Day, an annual event falling within Women’s History Month that recognizes and celebrates female contributions to the world: social, economic, cultural and political. As a focal point in the movement for women's rights, the day is an excellent opportunity to spread awareness of the daily challenges women face in their personal lives as well as in the workplace. And, hopefully, to help shape a more equal future for everyone.

While there’s still a lot of room for growth in the working world, during the past few decades women have been defying the status quo in nearly every industry; from technology, to politics, to sports, and the wine industry is no different. The gap between males and females in roles of winery leadership is narrowing and there is a new wave of females in top management within all areas of wine production from the vineyards to the cellars and beyond.

This year The Wine Chef looks to the Alto Adige region of Italy, an area recognized by consumers and wine critics alike for its high quality wines. Positioned right below Austria at the most northern point of Italy, Alto Adige consists of only 13,000 acres, yet within this small region you will find several women playing significant roles as wine industry leaders.

In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, here are some thoughts on equality in the workplace from four of Alto Adige’s finest women in wine who are paving the way for the next generation.

*Photo of Helena Lageder: @alois.Lageder on Instagram*

Helena Lageder, Alois Lageder winery.

Sixth generation at her family’s winery, Lageder heads up marketing and communications for this iconic Alto Adige winery. While her responsibilities include the Asian, Australian, New Zealand and European export markets, this busy lady is also in transition to take on the management of the winery’s hospitality sector. Prior to joining the family winery, Lageder worked abroad in the film and hospitality industries, and she brings a fresh, international perspective to the winery’s operations.

Lageder speaks proudly about the diversity within her family’s business. “Just yesterday at lunch I sat with my brother and we took a moment to scan the room,” she told me by email. “We were both excited that there are so many strong and intelligent women working in leading positions at our winery. I can confidently say that as a business we don’t judge by gender or nationality. It gets more diverse each year and we are proud to be working like this.”

Her advice to women starting out in the wine business? “Don’t hold back and enjoy what you do.”

Read more on this forward-thinking Demeter-certified biodynamic winery in my article on Grape Collective.

*Photo of (left to right) Julia, Karoline and Elena Walch: @Elena.Walch on Instagram*

Karoline Walch, Elena Walch winery.

Elena Walch (Karoline’s mother) was an architect by trade when she married into one of the oldest wine families of the region. Soon after she discovered her love for winemaking, but instead of joining her husband’s company she decided to make wine under her own name, beginning with her first vintage in 1988.

Introducing new and modern concepts to the traditional establishment, Elena Walch winery became a leader in what was a revolution of renewed quality during a time when Italian wines were often criticized for their poor quality. Her wines subsequently became (and remain) some of the most sought after from the area. Today, the responsibility for the family business is being put into the hands of her two daughters, Julia and Karoline Walch.

Karoline spoke to The Wine Chef about the positive changes during the past 30 years for women in the wine industry. “While in 1988, my mother was one of the very, very few women in wine,” she says, “nowadays we see many young women that are interested in wine. In fact, enology, wine business and sommelier classes are very well attended by women.”

Yet she laments the fact that many of these women drop out along the way. “I hope in 10 years from now we'll see many more women in leading positions,” she says. “It is this diversity and exchange that we should be aiming for as it will enrich the whole industry.”

Karoline Walch’s advice to women entering the wine world? “Be confident in your qualifications and keep insisting if you know that you are right!”

*Photo of Ines Giovanett courtesy of Castefeder winery.*

Ines Giovanett, Castelfeder winery.

This fourth generation family-run business was founded in 1970 by Alfons Giovanett who had attended the renowned wine school in San Michele all’Adige. His youngest granddaughter, Ines, is now in charge of the sales and marketing for this innovative and successful winery.

“It is my deepest belief,” she says, “that if we accept the differences between genders and if we look at the strengths of the individual person, independently— whether it is women or men—we can overcome these problems and have equality in the wine business.”

Giovanett expresses hope that gender equality will continue to evolve. She notes that the many women winemakers and women in high positions in the industry shows that we are on the right path. Her hope for the coming 10 years is, as she says, quite simple: to overcome preconceptions like the beliefs that women cannot handle the technical details of winemaking, or that women who focus on business must be “dragons” at home.

“Unfortunately these are quite common beliefs,” says Ines, “that I think are completely outdated. It would be a huge step towards more respect for women in the wine business to simply not have these ideas anymore.”

*Photot of Sophie Manincor: @manincor_estate on Instagram.*

Sophie Manincor, Manincor winery.

As a fan of homeopathy and natural remedies, Manincor was a huge force in the development and certification (in 2009) of biodynamics for the entire Manincor estate. Today, as co-owner, she also leads the winery’s guest management program, welcoming visitors from near and afar to her family’s beautiful winery.

On gender equality in the workplace, Manincor says that in 10 years she hopes it will be fifty-fifty. Her advice to women entering the wine business today? “To be strong and to never stop asking questions; to show the benefits that a woman’s eye can contribute to the workplace.”