Austin Conference to Showcase Wonder Women of Wine

Texas wine lovers have an opportunity to hear from some of the sharpest minds in wine at the Wonder Women of Wine (W.W.O.W.) conference on March 2-3, 2019 in Austin. The conference seeks to promote gender equality and bring awareness to women’s unique perspectives in the wine industry. Organizers have assembled a “Who’s Who”-caliber list of speakers including keynote speaker Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible, Napa winemaker Cathy Corison, and Bon Appétit Magazine wine editor Marissa Ross. Texas wineries are also well represented on the agenda. Rae Wilson (Wine For the People, Dandy Rosé, The Grower Project) and Adrienne Ballou (winemaker for Southhold Farm + Cellar, Lightsome Wine) are familiar names for readers of Texas Wine Lover.

Held at The Sunset Room in central Austin, the inaugural two–day seminar will feature both dynamic speakers and an opportunity to taste wines from female owned wineries, winemakers, and importers. Forum topics include Life as a Wine-to-Five Mom, Shifting Paradigms in the Wine World, and To Test or Not To Test (debating accreditation for wine professionals). Rae Wilson and Adrienne Ballou will present A New Frontier in Texas Winemaking on Saturday afternoon. A panel of women who own California wineries will also share lessons from their careers. See the full agenda on the W.W.O.W. website here.

Rania Zayyat, an Austin-based wine consultant, educator, and sommelier, is the founder of the W.W.O.W. conference. Rania hopes that the conference will provide networking opportunities and solutions-based discussions for men and women alike. Though mentorship, empowerment, and scholarships opportunities, the W.W.O.W. conference strives to promote equal opportunities and recognition for women at all levels in the wine industry.

“Wonder Women of Wine was created out of need. Although there are more and more women entering the wine industry, we are significantly lacking equality through representation in leadership, professional opportunities, and earnings,” says Zayyat. “By bringing men and women together at the conference, we intend to foster a culture of inclusivity and to create solutions through focused conversations, networking and mentorship opportunities.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased here through March 1 on their website.