In celebration of International Women’s Day, we are putting the much-deserved spotlight on some incredible female winemakers, estate owners and professionals who we proudly work with at Friarwood.
Shop the entire Women in Wine Collection
Juliana Kelman from Kelman Winery in Dao, Portugal
Born in Brazil to Portuguese parents, Juliana’s journey into wine is one of family-ties: her great-grandparents had produced wine in the Minho region of Portugal in the early 1900s. Juliana’s background is that of a marketer for large corporations but was inspired to get back to her vinous roots. After a few years of finetuning her business plan with her husband Rafel, they took the plunge and purchased a small 6-hectare estate in Dao, Portugal. In 2013, they began producing wine from grapes native to Portugal, with some restricted to the Dao Region. The fruit is manually harvested at their estate, and following local tradition, fermentation often takes place in granite Lagares dating back to 1741, where the grapes are threaded by foot. With truly minimal intervention winemaking, Kelman Family Vineyards aim to showcase the best expression of the Dão region. Eight years on, and Juliana has not looked back since her corporate days as she happily pursues her passion for producing exceptional wines! Click here to explore the Kelman Winery range.
Denise Adam, from Chateau Fonplegade & Chateau L’Enclos in Bordeaux, France
Denise and her husband honeymooned in Saint-Emilion, and after returning to the region to renew their vows, they stumbled upon Chateau Fonplegade and immediately fell in love with the estate, acquiring it in 2004.Denise studied art history and art education at the Kent State University, and after several years of teaching art, she established her own successful design company. Applying this experience, Denise helped oversee a complete renovation of Chateau Fonplegade and a comprehensive renewal of the vineyard. Denise is a truly hands-on proprietor, taking charge of daily operations at Château Fonplegade. A lifelong organic gardener and consumer, she feels that her greatest contribution to the estate has been spearheading its conversion to certified organic and biodynamic farming practices, which not only benefit the land, but play an essential role in elevating the quality of the wines. She is active in all areas of operations, and led the development of Château Fonplegade's pioneering hospitality program. She is also intimately involved in all decisions that shape the quality of the wines. From approving new plantings to blind tasting with Michel Rolland and Stephane Derenoncourt to assess the quality of every lot, Denise has established herself as a committed and steadfast vintner. Click here to explore Chateau Fonplegade & Chateau L'Enclos
Elisa Fanti From Tenuta Fanti in Tuscany, Italy
Tenuta Fanti is owned by the Fanti family since the early 18th Century and has always been a reference for the production of wine, extra-virgin olive oil and cereals in the area of Montalcino. Ever since Elisa was a child, she used to follow her father around the vineyards, admiring his work and slowly but surely building her passion for agriculture. Not surprisingly, she attended University to study Agronomy and immediately after graduating, she joined the family company in 2007. Following every step of the production, Elisa’s strong eco-friendly approach to agriculture contributes to the exceptional quality of the wines produced at the estate. With her determination and energy, the reputation of the Fanti Brand is left in great hands as she continues to pave the way for the rest of the talented women working at Tenuta Fanti. Click here to explore the Tenuta Fanti range.
Narelle King from Tar & Roses in Victoria, Australia
A former Sydney accountant, Narelle King, began her winemaking career in the late 1990′s after completing her winemaking degree at Charles Sturt University. She landed her first full-time winery job in 2001 at Mitchelton Wines in Central Victoria, where her passion grew, and met esteemed senior winemaker Don Lewis. After leaving Mitchelton Wines, both Don Lewis and Narelle King began a winemaking journey in Priorat, Spain, immersing themselves within the classic Mediterranean wine regions and varietals. This sparked an interest in how these varietals could be grown and made back home in their native regions of Central Victoria, Australia, where Tar & Roses was born. Following his passing, Narelle is carrying on the Tar & Roses tradition with her uncompromising approach, taking extraordinary lengths to get the best fruit possible from the local vineyards. Click here to explore the Tar & Roses range.
We have so many other fabulous women owned or led vineyards, including:
Evelyne Dodelinger from Cave de Ribeauville in Alsace, France
Created in 1895 by wine-growers from the town of Ribeauvillé, the Cave de Ribeauvillé - the oldest such cooperative in France - is something of a pioneer in Alsace. Its members own portions of some of the finest vineyards in the region, and their plots contribute to their exceptional range of wines.
Marie-Pierre Dartier, Chateau Cailleteau Bergeron in Bordeaux, France
Coming from a family of winemakers, the Dartier family moved to Mazion in 1930 with the purchase of 2 hectares of vines. In 1965 the children created Chateau Cailleteau Bergeron. In 1992, the grand children (current owners) Marie-Pierre and Pierre-Charles expanded the vineyards through acquiring additional neighbouring vineyards. Today the estate consists of 39 hectares.
Aurelie Nudant from Domaine Nudant in Burgundy, France
Winemakers in Burgundy since 1453, the current generation of the Nudant family, Aurelie and Guillaume, manage some 16 hectares of small parcels dotted throughout the Cote d'Or. Vineyard work is all carried out by hand, in the spirit of minimal intervention.
Daniele Bonnardot from Domaine Bonnardot in Burgundy, France
Domaine Bonnardot is a family-owned vineyard with three generations of experience in soil working and a passion for producing high-quality wine while respecting the terroir and nature. They completed their conversion to organic farming in 2021 after three years of testing, and continue to experiment with sowing, tillage, and the use of herbal teas and essential oils. They also prioritize promoting biodiversity by maintaining dry-stone walls, hedges, woods, and bee hives.
Aurore Devillard from Domaine Devillard in Burgundy, France
The Devillard family own a number of domaines and châteaux throughout Burgundy, including Domaine des Perdrix, Château de Chamirey and Domaine de la Ferte. Grapes within the Renard range are produced from grapes purchased by carefully selected growers and produced by the same talented team behind the outstanding NSG 1er Cru or Echezeaux.
Françoise Boyer from Domaine La Croix Belle in Languedoc, France
In 1977 Jacques and Françoise Boyer began their project to build a top-quality wine estate on the slopes of the Cévennes, just north of Béziers in Languedoc. Existing vineyards were replanted, and the cellar underwent extensive modernisation. 110 hectares of vines planted with 16 different varieties produce a diverse range of wines offering excellent value for money at all quality levels.
Elisa Gueneau from Domaine Alain Gueneau in Sancerre, France
A family run winery: along with Alain, his children Elisa and Dominique invest their time and energy in order to produce the wines of exceptional quality from their terroir. Their estate is comprised of 16 hectares of AOC Sancerre vineyards, planted on the steep slopes that surround the village of Sury-en-Vaux.
Fiona Buhrer from Saxenburg in Stellenbosch, South Africa
Adrian & Birgit Bührer took ownership of Saxenburg in 1989, trading their familiar surroundings of Switzerland for the Cape Winelands. They changed their familiar surroundings of Switzerland for a dilapidated homestead in the Cape Winelands. Today, the estate is run by the second-generation Bührer Family custodians: Fiona and Vincent. Their ambition is to shine a light on the Polkadraai Hills appellation in Stellenbosch, as it is one of the most exceptional terroirs in South Africa. Together with a passionate team, they produce thought-provoking wines.