Celebrating Ontario’s Women and Wine

Seeing as this is International Women’s Day, we got to thinking about all the amazing women we know, who are working in our industry and making it better.

While there’s still far fewer women working in wine than there are men, females are on the rise, and their contributions are simply incredible.

Here is a short list of some the wonderful women we admire for helping promote Ontario’s wine industry. Of course, this short list barely scratches the surface, so if you think there’s someone who deserves a shout out, please sing your praises in the comments below!

Deborah Pratt

Winery Public Relations, Inniskillin, Jackson-Triggs & Le Clos Jordanne

Starting part time with Inniskillin 37 years ago, Debi handled everything from retail, tour programs, events and public relations plus sales for  restaurants and LCBO.  In those days, women were few and far between, and things weren’t always easy to be the only woman in a male dominated world.

The Wine Sisters: What attracted you the wine industry?

Deborah Pratt: I was honoured to assist Inniskillin Cofounders Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser. I knew nothing about wine and became fascinated when experiencing what Donald and Karl were attempting to do against all odds.  It was such an underdog story and their enthusiasm for producing premium wine from premium grapes grown in the Niagara Peninsula intrigued me. 

TWS: Where did you get your training?

DP: I had no formal wine training when I started to help at Inniskillin and learned about wine  initially from Donald and Karl as well as travelling to wine regions, going to wine tastings in Toronto and reading a lot.

I was trained as a teacher – St. Catharine’s Teachers College and then graduated from Brock University in Psychology and Education. (Debi was an elementary school teacher until she went part time to full time at Inniskillin in 1986). My training as a teacher assisted me with the business approach in the wine industry of simply “educating the consumer.” As you can’t tell people what they like or dislike, I thoroughly enjoyed setting up tastings and events that helped customers to learn in a fun way.

TWS: Who are your mentors?

DP: My main mentor was, and is, Donald Ziraldo. I learn so much from him as he is so focused and has such amazing vision. Women in wine were rather rare in these parts in the beginning years, but I did learn a lot from Linda Franklin (former Executive Director of the Wine Council of Ontario), and in our current wine industry, I most admire Linda Bramble (educator, author, wine writer, sommelier). She is a very wise, articulate and professional woman, who is involved with so many aspects of our industry. I would give her the title of Canadian Wine Ambassador.

“I learned very early to simply work hard. Gender does not matter now but it did in the 70’s and 80’s.”

DP: In the beginning years it was very difficult doing sales in a male dominated field (LCBO and restaurants) but I learned very early to simply work hard and  if you knew what you were talking about you could easily be a successful businesswoman as you gained respect and knew that my knowledge could make others look good. Gender does not matter now but it did in the 70’s and 80’s.

TWS: What ambitions do you have for the future?

DP: I certainly need to become more computer savvy although I have come a long way. After such a jam packed few decades in such an exciting industry, I would like to balance my life a lot more to be not so work dominated. I would like to travel both within Ontario and Canada and anywhere where there are wine regions.

Current favourite wine:

Deborah: Inniskillin “Montague Vineyard” Chardonnay, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula 2010 $18.95 Vintages 586347

Michèle Bosc

Director of Marketing, Château des Charmes

Armed with science degree from Dalhousie University, Michèle spent about 15 years working in the pharmaceutical industry, and also tried her hand at sales, training and marketing, before meeting and marrying, Château des Charmes president Paul Bosc. For the last 10 years, she has been in charge of marketing and guest experience at the winery, and has been a constant promoter of Niagara.

TWS: Who are your mentors?

MB: Other than my husband, Shari Niles from Andrew Peller Ltd. Shari is a smart marketer. She thinks big picture but “gets” the small stuff too. And she is so generous with her time and knowledge…. There are so many great people I am fortunate to work with and learn from, Wendy Cherpoita from Wine Country Ontario [is another].

TWS: We love Wendy, too! She’s featured here as well. As a successful woman yourself, tell us about your experience in the industry.

MB: I think it depends on what aspect of the business you are discussing. On the hospitality/tourism side you definitely see significantly more women than men. On the business side (sales/marketing/administration) you see both. Production is definitely male dominated. But I don’t see our industry as unique. I’ve been in business for more than 25 years. When I first started in pharma sales I was the only woman on the team. So what? I can do the job. To me, it’s the best person for the job.

TWS: They say women have a better sense of taste and smell than men. Do you think there are any other advantages women have in this industry?

MB: Senses are developed and honed over time. I think women are just more observant and aware of our environments than many men. Because wine is such a sensory experience women are naturally wired to fully engage in the experience. To me, wine is more than just something you drink like a soda. It’s grown, nurtured, coaxed into existence like a child. It’s also convivial. A meal slows down when wine is served. It’s celebratory (the end of the day is cause for celebration in our house)! But all of these descriptors are inherently female, social, community.

“I’ve been in business for more than 25 years. When I first started, I was the only woman on the team. So what? I can do the job.”

TWS: From your perspective as a promoter and marketer, what advantages and challenges are there to making wine in Ontario?

MB: How long do we have? I think the biggest challenge we face as an industry is that our share of the wine consumer pie is being sliced up into smaller chunks faster than the pie is growing. The reality is Ontario wine has never been better than right now. And it continues to get better as we all hone our craft. But 7 out of 10 bottles of wine purchased in Ontario are imports. We want to be loved at home. Our wine is every bit as good or better than what’s coming into our market. We need more Ontarians to discover and be proud and support our local industry.

TWS: What are your future goals?

MB: Continue to learn about wine, our industry, our land. And to keep our brand innovative. That’s the mantra for just about any business these days – innovate or die. I pick the former, thank you.

Current favourite Château des Charmes wine:

Michèle: Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, VQA St. David’s Bench 2010 $35

Angela Kasimos

Winemaker, Riverview Cellars

Riverview winemaker Angela Kasimos is not only one of Niagara’s only female winemakers, she’s also one of the youngest. But at only 30 years old, she’s already got seven vintages under her belt and a host of award winning wines.

The Wine Sisters: Tell us about one of your earliest memories of starting out in the wine industry?

Angela Kasimos: I will never forget harvesting the 2006 Riesling the same day as my convocation at Brock. I was 23 at the time but I was not working alone. For the first 3 years at Riverview Jamie Evans, who is now the winemaker at Peninsula Ridge, was my winemaker consultant. I consider him my biggest mentor.

TWS: So your education is from Brock University?

AK: I received my Biochemistry degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2005. During my studies I took some food science and food chemistry courses which sparked my interests in wine making. After researching some schools I decided to go to CCOVI at Brock University the same year. In 2006 I completed the certificate in grape and wine technology and began working at Riverview fresh out of school.

TWS: What are your biggest challenges with making wine in Ontario?

AK: Just like any wine region we have to adjust our wine making to the vintage year and in Ontario we can get very drastic differences, 2007 and 2008 are good examples. Luckily at Riverview most of our grapes come from our own estate allowing me to make adjustments in the vineyard during the ripening process. In cool, wet, years like 2008, I was able lower the crop on the vines which helped them ripen properly. Having control of every stage of the wine making process is an advantage of working at a small estate winery.

“Being a winemaker during harvest can be physically and emotionally demanding regardless of age or gender.”

TWS: What are the benefits to being a female winemaker?

AK: I do not feel I have had any advantages or disadvantages as a female winemaker. Being a winemaker during harvest can be physically and emotionally demanding regardless of age or gender. I have, however, received positive comments because I am a female. Staff tell me it makes me more approachable. Customers have also said they can tell my wine was made by a female because it is so elegant and delicate. This is obviously just opinion, but always nice to hear.

Current favourite Riverview Cellars wine:

Angela: Gewurtztraminer VQA Niagara River 2011 $18.95 Vintages 319830

Wendy Cheropita

Director of Marketing, Ontario wine industry at the Wine Council of Ontario

Wendy is nothing short of amazing. Gracious, smart and kind, she’s is happy to share her knowledge and time, and where some successful professionals may guard their expertise carefully, Wendy is quick to offer her support to both emerging and established professionals. Rare qualities in a competitive world, indeed. 

The Wine Sisters: How long have you been working in wine?

Wendy Cheropita: My entire career. I started working in the wine business when I was in University and accepted a role as a sales representative with a large Ontario winery when I graduated. After several years I was recruited by a global company (Corby)  [The Wine Sisters’ note: Wendy worked with our Dad!] which offered an international wine program; once we graduated, we travelled to six European countries to meet our international suppliers and experience first-hand the terroir, the wines, the local foods, lifestyle and to meet the principles. It was an amazing opportunity.

I was recruited to Diageo; where I spent the next 10 years refining my skills and business knowledge in sales management, trade marketing and strategic brand management. My last role was the Category Manager for Wines. With this broad experience and a love of the wine business I set out to find a role in a company where wine was a priority. John Peller; a business man who I have immense respect for; offered me a contract position to work on a premium wine strategy and to help the company acquire an imported wine agency. Once we completed the work it was John Peller and Shari Niles who put me in touch with the Wine Council of Ontario. That was 4 ½ years ago, and, as the saying goes, the rest is history.

TWS: Wow! That is some history! Now that you’ve seen the Ontario wine industry evolve over the years, what do you think are the current challenges?

WC: With the vines aging and the experience of our local winemakers and viticulturists I can only see an upside and incredible potential for this industry. The only challenge we really have is getting our story out to the masses.

“This industry is actually one of the better industries where gender issues are almost non-existent.”

TWS: Is there anyone who stands out in the Ontario wine industry as someone you really admire?

WC: There are so many, but particularly the brave, brilliant men and women who have invested in the wine business in Ontario and taken the quality of the wines we make to confidently stand on the world stage. Nancy Cardinal she is one of the greatest visionaries in our industry today.

TWS: You are such a great supporter to so many in this industry, who were your mentors?

WC: Earlier on in my career, a great man by the name of Brian Kirkwood, and more recently Michele D’Angelo and Rick Fitzgerald.

TWS: Does gender even matter in the wine business? 

WC: I think that this industry is actually one of the better industries where gender issues are almost non-existent.

Current favourite Ontario wine:

Wendy: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir