WINE WOMEN’s Launch Celebration

Perhaps the gusting banshee wind was a sign from nature that a new order was being ushered in, Mother Nature-style! After all… She’s a woman. And WINE WOMEN could use every woman’s support. But we were having a devil of a time setting up any banners or signs ahead of our Launch Celebration Dinner at DeLoach Vineyards on June 21st, sponsored by Boisset Collection. Checkin was rather windy, so we opted for signage that couldn’t blow away.

The terrific staff at DeLoach was busy preparing for everyone’s arrival.

And as always happens, everyone arrived en masse and got down to enjoying themselves.

See our Photo Gallery for many more images. Photo credits to Rick Bolen, Rick Bolen Photography and Dylan Elliot, Boisset Collection

Before dinner, Lisa Heisinger, Vice President of Operations, provided opening remarks that could not have been more apropos. She indicated that Boisset Collection employs more women than men, making it a perfect fit with WINE WOMEN’s mission to champion women’s careers in the wine industry. She also asked the audience (primarily comprising WINE WOMEN members and the female-only judges from International Women’s Wine Competition) if they had ever felt they were treated differently in their jobs because they were women? Every female hand on the patio went up! (This was no surprise to the women in the room, but perhaps the men in attendance were surprised at the universal conclusion by the women attendees.)

In closing her remarks, Lisa deftly commented she’d seen so many situations where women were under-represented, under-heard, under-appreciated. It was a strong indicator that there is a quite a need for WINE WOMEN to support and advocate for women in the wine workplace!

There were many more announcements, many “Thank You’s” to Boisset Collection and DeLoach for their sponsorship of WINE WOMEN, but folks were getting rather hungry. So we were off to the buffet in the grove to dine…

It was a spectacular meal, allowing everyone to get to know one another better, wine judges sitting next to WINE WOMEN members in other wine business professions. Conversation was lively, indicating we were off to a great start.

WINE WOMEN has arrived! And our work has only begun…

To view all the photos from the event, please visit our Photo Gallery.