Female-focused wine events polarise everyone, both in and outside of the wine industry. The conversation on social media channels over recent weeks has demonstrated just how divided people are about events like the Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society Women and Shoe Event aimed at women, or those events featuring female winemakers only. For thousands of years women have played core roles in making and promoting Australian wine and their contributions have been often been overshadowed by their male counterparts, so I can understand why the time has come to bring women into the spotlight.

I am all for a celebration of women achieving remarkable feats and it’s time we stood up and acknowledged the fabulous contributions women make and encourage younger people to think about careers in the wine industry by admiring the current generation of stars who are paving the future. It’s not a debate about male vs female, I see this as an opportunity to recognise some amazing talent, in the same way that you’d single out certain segments for other specific events.

The upcoming Women in Wine Event is part of Aussie Wine Month and is presented by Wine Australia and Dan Murphy’s, with partners Riedel and Gourmet Traveller Wine. It’s the final event on the calendar with the objective to celebrate the talented women who work in our wine industry – sommeliers, winemakers, viticulturists, communicators, journalists and educators.

Guests will have the opportunity to learn more about wine and hear the stories through a range of interactive sessions at:

  • Winemaker’s Regional Experience Bar – learn more about the regions of Australia and talk through the wines with female winemakers.
  • The Sommeliers’ Garden – top female sommeliers match food and wine and explain more about how to find perfect food and wine combinations.
  • The Viticulturist’s Science Station – making great wine often starts in the vineyards and here, leading viticulturists talk through the science behind their craft.
  • The Dan Murphy’s Winemakers Bar – four of Australia’s most recognised women of winemaking will be pouring their wines and talking about their passions.

More than 80 wines will be on taste, with opportunities to join foodies talking through easy entertaining tips.

I consider many of the women involved great friends – inspiring women who make me want to continue to learn more about wine and help convey their stories. Personalities like Oliver’s Taranga’s Corrina Wright, Viticulturist Mary Retallack (2012 Rural Woman of the Year), Sarah Limacher (Keystone Group Sommelier), Katherine Brown (Brown Brothers), Judy Sarris (Gourmet Traveller WINE), Liz Riley (Scarborough Wine Co) and Rebekah Richardson (Orlando), just to name a few.

So grab a group of friends, book your tickets and head on down for a fun and informative night.

I’ll be roaming around capturing the compelling stories on video and keeping the chatter happening via social media channels (follow #aussiewine tweets). I do hope you’ll come along, have some fun and celebrate the inspiring personalities of our fabulous wine industry.

Tuesday, 30 April 2013, Overseas Passenger Terminal, 110 Circular Quay West, Sydney, NSW 2000

Cost – $90 per person

To book, visit http://www.eventopia.co/womeninwine

More information head to www.apluswines.com