Women in wine

Shari Mogk-Edwards, vice-president, merchandising, Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO)
If you happen to be in the North American or New World end of the business, being a woman isn’t an issue at all. “This isn’t the best way to express it, but you’re just one of the guys,” says Shari Mogk-Edwards, who was initially hired to train as one of the LCBO’s first female product consultants and has been with the board for 28 years. Travelling to some Latin countries and even in parts of France, though, Shari has run into some very traditional attitudes over the years. “I remember a visit to South America in the late 1990s and being made to feel like ‘Where’s your boss?’” However, she adds, “Such instances are becoming the exception.” In North America, she’s not treated any differently, and expectations are the same for men and women. She says, “Generally, in business, women are outnumbered by men, but that could be for a variety of reasons. Women make different choices. They often don’t need to be at the top, or prefer to balance work with family life. Women have different priorities and drivers than men.” Shari believes everything comes at a price, but that there’s also a lot of satisfaction. “It’s an industry in which women and men can perform equally well and, as time goes on, we’ll see even more women fall in love with the wine business and be successful as barriers continue to be broken down,” she says.


Gina Gallo, senior winemaker, coastal operations, E. & J. Gallo Winery
Founded in 1933, E. & J. Gallo Winery is the world’s largest family-owned winery. It produces 70 million cases of wine every year in seven production facilities throughout California, manages thousands of acres of vineyards, has a portfolio of more than 60 brands, and continues to grow. “When I started working at the winery 19 years ago, all the winemakers were male,” says Gina Gallo, currently senior winemaker for the premium brands of Gallo Family Vineyards, “but as soon as my grandfather, Julio, who was certainly old school, realized how serious I was about making wine, he became very supportive. Today, being a woman in the wine world is a positive thing.” Gina adds, “The business is a great fit for women. Making wine is like raising children. Women are generally more sensitive, more nurturing and more patient.” She advises young women interested in becoming winemakers to just get in there and do it. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes,” she says, “and as a first step, find a mentor because that will really go a long way in helping you avoid those early mistakes.”

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