Wonder Women of Wine Announces 2020 Conference Lineup

Update 3/15/2020: The conference has been postponed. No date has been given yet.

At the forefront of the gender equality conversation, Wonder Women of Wine (WWOW) will hold its second annual conference, March 28-29 in Austin. The conference will bring more than 300 wine professionals and enthusiasts together to discuss and strategize how to change the outlook for women’s professional growth and success in the wine industry.

Texas Wine Lover attended last year’s inaugural conference and will also be attending this year’s.

A full day of sessions at the conference will tackle key issues:

Entrepreneurship will be the focus of “Sisters are Doin’ It for Themselves,” looking at the opportunities, challenges for funding and support, and available resources for historically underrepresented entrepreneurs.
In an industry where overindulgence is rampant, the “Choose Wine – and Wellness” panel will discuss how self-care affects self-confidence and self-advocacy.
“Women in Wine History: Systematic Exclusion and the Success of Tenacious Women” will explore the roles and contributions of women and marginalized groups in the wine trade and the political and social obstacles still faced by many.
“Advocacy and Inclusion in the World of Wine” will address diversity in the wine industry, from gender to race, religion, age, or sexual orientation.
“Standing Up to Sexual Violence,” building upon last year’s conversations and recent reports of abuse in the industry, will share resources and guidance on how to support survivors.
The keynote panel “Shifting Feminism: Bridging the Intergenerational Gap” will examine how the definition of feminism, including intersectionality, has changed through the years and how women of different generations have addressed workplace sexual discrimination and misconduct.

The conference features more than 20 speakers, including Susana Balbo, winemaker and owner of Susana Balbo Wines, Ashtin Berry, co-founder of Radical Xchange, Amy Bess Cook, founder of Woman-Owned Wineries, Julia Coney, wine writer, Rebecca Hopkins, founder of A Balanced Glass, and Marissa Ross, Bon Appetit wine columnist, plus others.

2019 speakers

“We are very excited about this year’s speakers and sessions that focus on solutions, resources, and support in order to stand up to inequality and make the wine community a space where anyone can feel comfortable and respected,” says Rania Zayyat, founder of Wonder Women of Wine, Advanced Sommelier, and wine educator for Vintel LLC.

WWOW also celebrates women in wine with one of the largest wine tastings from women winemakers and winery owners, as well as a community partnership initiative in which Austin-area bars and restaurants will feature wines by the glass and special menus highlighting wines produced by women.

15 percent of the wineries pouring at the event will be Texas wineries including:

The 2020 conference is open to all genders and one-day, full weekend, and all-access conference tickets ranging from $75 to $225 are for sale now.