We have always championed and supported great female wine producers, sharing their inspirational stories, and challenges, raising their visibility within our range, and building awareness of women in wine. We’re thrilled to introduce some of the pioneering female wine makers who we greatly admire, making their mark on the industry.
Eva Plazas Torné: Winemaker at Vilarnau
Growing up surrounded by vineyards with views of the breath-taking Montserrat mountains, Eva developed a passion for winemaking and the local environment. She was born in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, the capital of Cava, and knew from an early age that she wanted to dedicate herself to the land, agriculture, and the environment of the region. This is the reason she studied Agricultural Engineering and then specialised in viticulture and oenology.
Eva is committed to sustainability and nurturing the land encircling their state-of-the-art winery. One of the first wineries to be awarded the Wineries for Climate Protection certification, Vilarnau is on a constant quest to reduce its carbon footprint. Energy comes from their biomass boiler, vineyards are irrigated from the rainwater filled lake that surrounds the winery, and suppliers are carefully chosen who fit with their sustainable ethics. Specialising in artisanal production, the much-acclaimed wines they make are now 100% organic. When not touring the 20 hectares of vineyard on an electric bike, Eva can be found showing guests around the avant garde Vilarnau winery which was designed by architect Luis González to blend in with the beautiful Mediterranean surroundings.
Must try (Eva's favourite Vilarnau wine): Vilarnau Cava Brut Reserve Rosé (Spain)
The eye-catching bottles of Vilarnau hold some very impressive wine. This Rosé Cava, produced from traditional Cava grapes and a touch of Pinot Noir which gives the wine its slinky, salmon hue, is a fresh, berry filled delight, ideal for everyday drinking or for celebrations where something fizzy and pink is required.
We have always championed and supported great female wine producers, sharing their inspirational stories, and challenges, raising their visibility within our range, and building awareness of women in wine. We’re thrilled to introduce some of the pioneering female wine makers who we greatly admire, making their mark on the industry.
Maria Larrea: Technical Director at CVNE
Maria Larrea was born and raised in Rioja, a place with a long winemaking tradition. The influence of these early years pointed her towards doing viticulture and oenology at university, first in Madrid, and later on in Montpellier and Bordeaux. Her first harvest once back in Rioja was in C.V.N.E., and after gathering further experience in other wineries in Rioja, Mancha and Navarra, she returned to C.V.N.E. in 1991.
Maria now holds the position of Technical Director for the entire C.V.N.E. group. Her responsibilities also include overseeing the winemaking of all the Cune and Imperial wines at the original winery in Haro.
Must try: Asua Crianza Cune 2021 (Spain)
A new Crianza addition to the CVNE range which has been aged for 18 months in French oak barrels prior to release. Made from grapes that have been hand-harvested from bush-trained vines in the Rioja Alta region. Attractive nose of raspberry, blackcurrant and black plum with a touch of smokiness. Fresh, fruit forward and easy-drinking.
Keeda Zilm: Winemaker at Hesketh/Vickery
Keeda grew up in Kingston, 250km south-east of Adelaide and always had a passion for agriculture which ultimately led her to the industry. Whilst undertaking an Oenology degree at The University of Adelaide, she began working at O’Leary Walker Wines in the Clare Valley, where her love for the region began. In October 2018, after an incredible 16 years at O’Leary Walker, she took charge of the winemaking at Vickery Wines where she worked alongside industry icon and renowned “old master of Australian Riesling” John Vickery.
Now she is proud custodian of his unique winemaking methods, to ensure future generations can enjoy the wonderful wines he was known for. She is dedicated to capturing the essence of the Clare Valley and its sub-regions, crafting wines that are true to site and celebrate the hard work of her dedicated growers.
Must try: Vickery Eden Valley Riesling 2023 (Australia)
As with all Vickery Riesling`s, they can drink upon release, however, those with patience will be rewarded as they can also age for 10+ years gaining complexity and intensity. Lots of lime, honey blossom and lemon curd supported by bright, linear acidity. Lots of precision and purity flowing into a core of citrus and green fruits with added white pepper spice on the marathon finish. A stunning Riesling.
Christelle Rinville: Vineyard Director at Taittinger and Domaine Evremond
Christelle joined Taittinger in September 2015 following 25 years of working in Champagne, including 10 years in the technical services of the CIVC Champagne body, advising Champagne Houses and growers. Passionate about the environment, Christelle was a key part of the team ensuring Taittinger achieved the Sustainable Viticulture certification in Champagne and the HVE (High Environmental Value) certification in 2017. She is also in charge of the vineyard management at Domaine Evremond vineyard in Chilham (Kent).
Must try: Taittinger Brut Reserve NV (France)
Taittinger crafts their signature Brut Reserve Champagne from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes scrupulously selected from over 35 different vineyards and vintages. The blend has a high proportion of Chardonnay which gives the wine a delicious freshness and subtle complexity. Full-bodied and elegant, this is consistently excellent fizz.
Bright golden yellow in colour with fine bubbles and open and expressive aromas of fruit and brioche with notes of peach, white flowers and vanilla pod. The entry onto the palate is lively, fresh and in total harmony. This is a delicate wine with flavours of fresh fruit and honey.
Cherie Spriggs: Head Winemaker at Nyetimber
Having studied biochemistry in university, Canadian-born Cherie always had a passion for science. As a trained classical pianist too, she was also in touch with her artistic side. Her love for wine led her to do a Master’s of Science degree at a wine research centre in Vancouver, Canada. In 2007, after a few years working at different wineries, Cherie and her husband decided to pursue their dream jobs and as luck would have it, Nyetimber were looking for a winemaking team.
In 2018, she won Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge – an achievement for the history books as she was the first person outside of Champagne, France, as well as the first woman ever, to win this prestigious award. Bravo!
Must try: Nyetimber Classic Cuvée Sparkling NV (England)
Tucked into the lee of the South Downs to protect the grapes from the cool English Channel breezes, Nyetimber’s vineyards provide all the fruit to make their exceptional English Sparkling Wines. Crafted from the classic Champagne grape varieties in the traditional style of the famous French region, this cuvée is not a copy of Champagne, but a high-quality sparkling wine that is its English equal. Lovely pale gold with gentle, fine bubbles that fill the glass. Attractive nose of toasty, spicy and complex aromas showing wonderful development after more than three years on lees. The palate supports these complex aromas with added honey, almond, pastry, and baked apple flavours leading into a very fine and elegant finish, complemented by the combination of intensity, delicacy, and length. English fizz at its best!
Liza Goodwin: Head Winemaker at Fryer's Cove
Liza Goodwin is the Winemaker and General Manager at Fryer’s Cove winery in South Africa. Liza has many years’ experiences in the winemaking industry and is super passionate about crafting unique and interesting wines, that reflect the environment where they have been grown. Liza has always had a passion for wine and has wanted to be a winemaker for as long as she can remember having grown up in Durbanville, surrounded by vineyards and wineries.
Fryer’s Cove Winery is situated around 350km north of Cape Town in a small town called Doringbay, where the winery is built in an old fish factory on a jetty just 20m from the sea! Liza is instrumental in producing the award-winning wines and takes pride in that they are “forged of the earth, tempered by the sea.”
Must try: Fryer's Cove Chenin Blanc, 2023 (Western Cape, South Africa)
This is a vibrant Chenin Blanc that is part fermented in stainless steel (62%) to retain freshness, with the remainder (38%) in third and fourth fill 300l French oak barrels for added complexity. Enticing aromas of lemon, white peach, and apricot fuse with added tropical overtones. Crisp and clean on the palate with vibrant acidity that flows into a creamy, rounded mid-palate and supported by additional citrus and white stone fruit core. Excellent balance and weight.
Debbie Lauritz: Head Winemaker at Robert Oatley Vineyards
Born in Brisbane, Australia, Debbie’s interest in wine initially came to fruition though time spent as an exchange student living in Lyon, France near the famous wine region of Burgundy. She then briefly studied science at university before switching to winemaking and viticulture studies. Debbie spent over ten years as Senior Winemaker at Cumlus Wines before she moved on to Robert Oatley Vineyards in Western Australia. She has a wealth of knowledge of cool-climate winemaking and has also worked in Alsace, Marlborough, and Niagara.
Must try: Robert Oatley Signature Series Chardonnay 2023 (Margaret River, Australia)
Debbie’s favourite varietal to work with is Chardonnay for its diversity, versatility and complexity and we highly recommend the Signature Series Chardonnay. The grapes come from selected parcels from sites across the Margaret River region, from Karridale in the south through to Wilyabrup in the north. The wine goes through a traditional white wine fermentation. Malolactic fermentation is avoided on purpose, in order to retain the wine's long fine acidity. The wine was matured in French oak barriques (20% new).
Medium-bodied, with lovely peach and nectarine flavours accompanied by a lifted citrus and a soft buttery character, all pinned down by fresh, bright acidity.
Maria Vargas: Technical Director at Marqués de Murrieta
María Vargas is one of the highest-profile winemakers in Spain and has managed to take the wines of Marqués de Murrieta to new heights. She joined the winery as assistant winemaker in 1995, and took over the top position in 2000. María is a meticulous master blender as well as a sensitive winemaker, adept at combining the different plots of Murrieta’s vineyards to make exceptional wines with character and quality. She was named the world’s best oenologist at the Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards in 2021.
Must try: Marqués de Murrieta Tinto Reserva Rioja, 2018 (La Rioja, Spain)
Marqués de Murrieta are one of the few wineries in Spain to make wine from 100% of their own grapes, controlling them from vine and throughout the wine making process. This classic Rioja wine is aged for two years in American oak, before resting a further 18 months in bottle. The vibrant red fruit flavours marry seamlessly with the vanilla and spice characters contributed by the extended ageing. A complex, intense and impressive nose of dark plum, red cherry and sweet spice (clove and cinnamon). Powerful and bold on the palate, yet the fine tannins and purity of fruit lead to a lingering and silky-smooth finish.
Anabelle Cruse-Bardinet: Owner & Winemaker at Château Corbin
We have been consistently blown away with Anabelle’s work in recent years and Château Corbin is quite rightly one of our rising star estates. The estates vineyards are in the commune of Saint-Émilion on the border with Pomerol. It has been in the hands of the Corbin family since 1924 and ownership has been passed down the female line for four generations, where today the property is owned by Anabelle Cruse-Bardinet, and her husband Sébastien.
Anabelle studied oenology at university and started her career at Château Branaire-Ducru in Saint-Julien, followed by Château Certain Giraud in Pomerol, before finally taking over Château Corbin in 1999. Anabelle states “the distinctiveness of Corbin can be found in the wines aromatic appeal, where it combines purity, radiance, a velvety texture, great length as well as emotion all in complete harmony with the vintage.” Her priority is respect for the land and to create wines that reflect Corbin’s terroir.
Must try: Château Corbin St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2014 (Bordeaux, France)
2014 is a somewhat overlooked vintage, yet shouldn’t be, and we believe will provide lots of pleasure and are just coming into their drinking window now. This a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc resulting in a gorgeous wine with soft, velvety tannins and a lovely gourmet edge. There’s a touch of dark chocolate and lovely damson fruit, as well as great texture and complexity. A real wine to discover and savour.
