- More than a third of all Masters of Wine (MWs) in the world are now women – 149 and counting
- Waitrose has two female MWs included in the nine female buyers across beers, wines and spirits
- Waitrose proudly stock a number of wines made by female winemakers and we have highlighted five of our favourites
Waitrose is a champion of good drinks, supporting the ever changing market and delivering great value and quality - now stocking 20 wines made by female winemakers including Amandla, Wirra Wirra and Gusbourne. The world of wine has opened up more opportunities for women, with more female sommeliers, CEOs, winemakers and viticulturalists than ever before. Our beers, wines and spirits team is bursting with nine talented women, including two female Masters of Wine, Xenia Ruscombe-King and Rebecca Hull.
More than a third of all Masters of Wine (MWs) in the world are now women with the first only arriving on the scene in the last 50 years. Including our Waitrose Cellar and Fortified Wine Buyer, Xenia, who has worked in the wine trade for 35 years and has had first hand experience of the positive changes made to the wine industry.
Xenia, said: “I have worked in the wine trade for 35 years and in that time the industry has changed dramatically for women, and very much for the better. It has become more vibrant and open, with women working at all levels across wine. In 2003 I was the 50th woman to become a Master of Wine; now only 22 years later there are 149 women representing just over a third of all MWs. This is wonderful progress and reflects how women are influencing the global wine industry and I am extremely proud to be part of it.”
Our other talented female buyers include Alexandra Mawson, who is an Academician with an active ambassadorial role in promoting the Champagne category within the UK and was named in Drinks Retailing's Top 100 most influential people in the Drinks industry. Daphne Teremetz who won Retail Buyer of the Year at the Drinks Business awards in 2016 and Emma Penman and Imogen Bowen-Davies who have multiple wine diplomas between them.
History has played an important part in how women have positively impacted the world of wine - starting in the 19th century, with some of the most well known wines in the Champagne region being elevated to fame by the hard work of women.
At the age of 27, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin took over her late husband’s business and changed its name to Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin - ‘veuve’ means widow in french. Louise Pommery, another Champagne widow, pioneered a drier style for the growing English market and Lily Bollinger also took over her late husband’s Champagne house in 1941 and introduced a style of Champagne that retains its freshness after years of bottle-ageing.
Here are some of the team's favourite wines stocked by Waitrose that are expertly made by female winemakers. We think Mesdames Clicquot, Pommery and Bollinger would all approve!
Waitrose No.1 Brut Special Vintage Champagne, France - £35.99/75cl
This elegant, toasting Champagne is blended by Castelnau’s award-winning chef de caves (cellar master) Carine Balleul. She is known for her stylish Chardonnay-dominant cuvées. This bottle is perfect for celebrations across the year including Mother’s Day and Easter.
Waitrose No.1 Viña Lorea Reserva Rioja, Spain - £13.99/75cl
Born and raised in Rioja, Maria Larrea oversees the winemaking at CVNE, the producer of our No.1 Viña Lorea Reserva Rioja. It’s a benchmark blend of Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano grapes, creating a drink that is full of warm berry fruits with classic notes of leather and spice from oak-ageing in barrels. This bottle will pair perfectly with your Easter lamb.
Amandla Shiraz Zinfandel, South Africa - £9.99/75cl
Praisy Dlamini is the winemaker for Amandla, which is a 100% female-run and majority black-owned South African wine company. She studied winemaking at agricultural college and is now one of the industry's brightest stars. This red is packed with bramble fruits and earthy spices, making it the perfect pairing for beef or lamb.
Nyetimber Classic Cuvée NV, England - £39.99/75cl
Canadian-born winemaker Cherie Spriggs tasted Nyetimber back in 2007 and never looked back. She applied for her dream job at the Sussex winery and ten years later she won the ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ award at the International Wine Challenge - she was the first woman and first winemaker outside Champagne to win this award. Perfect paired with smoked salmon for brunch or dinner party canapés.
Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand - £11.99/75cl
When Natalie Christensen quit her job in HR to work in a winery, little did she know it would change the course of her life. She is now chief winemaker at Yealands Estate - one of the world’s leading sustainable wineries. This crisp Sauvignon tastes delicious with seafood.
Notes to Editors
Daphne Teremetz - Buyer, Italy and South Africa
- Worked at Waitrose for 8 years and bought all regions of France, South America, Italy and South Africa
- Won Retail Buyer of the Year at the Drinks Business awards in 2016
- Is an awards judge for Decanter World Wine Awards, IWSC, and the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
Alexandra Mawson - Buyer, Champagne and Sparkling
- Named in Drinks Retailing's Top 100 most influential people in the Drinks industry
- Has been buying Champagne and Sparkling wines since 2021
- Celebrating 18 years working in wine, she loves discovering new styles and meeting fantastic producers from across the world
- In 2023 she was chosen for the prestigious Champagne Academy trip
- Alexandra is an Academician with an active ambassadorial role in promoting the Champagne category within the UK
Emma Penman - Buyer, Austria, Germany, England and Wales and Eastern Europe
- Currently studying towards L4 Diploma in Wines
- Became a wine judge for international panels in 2023
Imogen Bowen-Davis - Buyer, Alsace, Bordeaux, Rhone and Loire
- Imogen started training as a chef and that is where her love of wine grew
- WSET Diploma qualification
- Certified WSET Educator
- Currently studying a BSc in Viticulture and Oenology alongside her role at Waitrose
