travel writing

Sipping Stories: Connecting People to Wine & the World Through Narration

By Tiffany Patterson

Poet and Sufi Mystic Rumi expressed: "Wine is intoxicated from me/not me from the wine/body exists because of me/not the other way around." A wine's true intoxication is firstly felt by the magic of why it exists today. In every place where vines, palm trees, fruit, or rice grow, ages of enlightenment and creativity were birthed, and we get to relish an entire history of innovation with just a few sips.

Yet much of history does not illuminate the brilliant discoveries, cultivations, and cultural practices implemented by diverse women. When Anglo, Euro-centric, ableist, cisgender male narratives overpower the history lessons we receive, we’re less inclined to believe that other cultures, genders, and diverse abilities could have played a significant role in shaping the delectable experiences we enjoy today. A story can shape perceptions, exclude people, and uphold oppressive systems. It can also evolve perceptions, include people, and tear those systems down. However, to tear down a longstanding institution and build something better, we must reflect on the smaller parts of its design.

A great example is the use of language in storytelling. Language can knowingly or unknowingly perpetuate exclusivity in many ways, especially when writing about wine and travel. On countless occasions, I, for one, have been made to feel as though I didn’t belong because of a medical condition and my culture. Reading wine literature exacerbated this feeling, as it described food pairings and tasting notes using terms that didn’t resonate. But as I traveled and tasted wines on my own accord and met encouraging guides and winemakers, I unraveled delicious stories of rebels in wine—from Oceania to Asia, South Africa to the Americas, and Europe. Travel allowed me to explore culture alongside wine and celebrate being an outsider rather than lament it.

Travel moved me from highly coveted spaces (both online and offline) and centered me in a narrative with exciting, new characters. These characters were more dynamic than those I’ve previously encountered. They could simultaneously appreciate wine tradition and desire to move forward in ways that would benefit their people and their culture. Sometimes, that meant disrupting how something was typically produced, communicated, or enjoyed. I've found that the best way to put it is, as a few Australian wine pros remarked, “If you don’t like what you taste, there are plenty of other wines to choose from. But don’t try to convince me what I like isn’t real or worthy.”

We’re all storytellers, and by telling the right stories, we can use our innate skills to uplift, unite, and validate each other. When we’re all curious enough to want to know more, we explore, and when we explore, we uncover places, people, and points of view we thought we could only imagine. And when we’ve proven we’ve encountered the once unattainable, there’s a desire to share that magic—whether through poem, literature, song, or even a recipe.

So, let us explore the world from the bowl of our glasses and give thanks to Ninkasi, our queen of brewing; praise be the divine Varuni of high spirits; belt out cheers and laughter in honor of Ba-Maguje; and defy all odds with a glass raised to the “Grande Dame of Champagne,” Madame Clicquot! Natural or supernatural, these female figures capture global, diverse stories of female ingenuity. And because of spaces fostered by organizations like the Women in Wine Expo, we can revive our herstories, create new ones, and immortalize our heroines. The Earth might have sprung forth the fruits from which women in wine extend arduous, underappreciated labor, but their impact remains celestially exponential. Their tarty tenacity, earthy grit, and sweet sacrifices are consumed by many around the world.

Now, it is time for you to serve us a glass of your finest story—capture divergent journeys, unexpected connections, and surprising flavors. Intoxicate the wine with songs comprising flavorful notes of an ancestral past, calling us to savor the pain and pride of journeys had and those yet to come. Are you ready to begin an exercise in speaking your truth, unveiling the lineage of many more goddesses we have yet to celebrate?

WINE TOURISM:

three examples from portugal, armenia and france

 SÓNIA RAMOS

Sónia, a young soul in a 47-year-old body, feels that life is meant to be lived and shared with soul mates. At 37, Sonia decided to change her professional life and follow her heart. She left the building trade and went to study tourism. From inside her, Sonia knew she was a born hostess and wanted to show visitors the best Portugal offers. During the course, she realized she could combine two passions: people and wine. She took advantage of the course to meet people and make herself known, with the small professional opportunities that arose in Tourism, while she still had one foot or almost both in construction. Four years later, her dream began to materialize. She started her career as head of the wine tourism department at ManzWine. Although she felt she didn't know much, that never stopped her. She faced challenges such as adapting to a new industry, learning about wine production, and managing a team. However, her passion and determination helped her overcome these challenges and succeed in her new role. ManzWine is a project that she is passionate about because it's based on the historical recovery of a small village, with more than 800 years linked to family winemaking, and, above all, the recovery of a Portuguese white grape variety that was thought to be extinct, Jampal. No other winery on this planet makes wines with Jampal grapes (and it's your chance to taste them at the WIWE Wine Tasting). It has allowed Sonia to create distinctive wine tourism products, one of which is a Pruning Workshop for women. This workshop not only attracts wine lovers but also women who are starting their businesses in wine and feel the need to learn these arts, which nowadays few people know about. The workshop has been a success, empowering women in the wine industry and preserving traditional winemaking techniques.

CARO FEELY

Get ready to be captivated by the brilliant Caro, a woman of many talents. Caro, who will be attending the Women in Wine Expo on Thursday with her book Vineyard Confessions, is not just a winemaker, a yoga teacher but a true storyteller. Her journey, marked by three gold trophies for her organic estate and wine tourism, is a testament to her passion and dedication. We are thrilled to also taste her wines at the Wine Tasting event, an experience that promises to be as delightful as it is educational. Chateau Feely, a beacon of organic wine and wine tourism in France, offers a truly unique experience. In 2019, they were awarded the gold trophy for education and environmental practices in the first national wine tourism competition. Their accolades include the Best of Wine Tourism Gold medal for the greater Bordeaux region in 2017 for accommodation and in 2013 for tours. They were also recognized as one of the top five wine tour destinations in the world by Cara magazine, listed as one of the 5 best places to learn about wine by Forbes magazine, and were winners of the ‘Best of Top 10’ for wine tourism in Bergerac in 2019, 2017 and 2016. As a WSET-approved programme provider of wine schools for over a decade, Chateau Feely offers a learning experience like no other. Their wines, which have received awards and excellent reviews from renowned critics, including JancisRobinson.com, are a testament to their commitment to quality.

DR. NORA SARGSYAN

Nora Sargsyan, PhD, Associate Professor, is a legal expert with a diverse background in academia, legal consultancy, and project management. Her role as a legal advisor for the German International Cooperation GmbH (GIZ) has been instrumental in offering guidance on legal frameworks and policy development in Armenia, showcasing her ability to apply legal knowledge in practical settings. Nora's leadership in the 'Private Sector Development and Technical Vocational Education and Training' Program in Armenia, funded by BMZ and implemented by GIZ, has been pivotal. Her expertise extends to the vocational education and training (VET) sector, as well as the wine industry. Nora's multifaceted role at the GIZ PSD TVET program involves providing expert guidance in formulating VET legislative frameworks and overseeing work-based learning and student engagement initiatives, demonstrating her ability to drive initiatives and make a significant impact. Nora also spearheads qualification enhancement events for tour guides and operators in the wine sector and led the development and publication of the Guidebook on Armenian Wine Tourism. Additionally, she serves as the program's gender focal point, advocating for gender mainstreaming through event participation and organizational activities. Nora's dedication to advancing vocational education, promoting gender equality, and fostering sustainable development underscores her invaluable contributions to her field's legal and operational aspects.

DR. ZARA MURADYAN

At the helm of the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia, Dr. Zaruhi Muradyan is a beacon of leadership and dedication. Her efforts are focused on coordinating the sector's development and promoting viticulture. Her unwavering commitment to producing high-quality wines is aimed at elevating Armenia's international standing and competitiveness in the industry. Dr. Muradyan, a distinguished academic, earned her PhD in oenology and has been a professor at the National Agrarian University since 2002. Her intellectual contributions extend beyond the classroom, with over 15 scientific articles and books in the field of wine, grape cultivation, and Vermouth production to her name. She is the visionary behind the establishment of the 'Young Winemakers Union of Armenia' and a co-founder of the EVN Wine Academy. Under her leadership, the Wine Academy, in collaboration with Geisenheim University of Germany, offers certified professional courses in enology and wine business. Drawing upon her extensive expertise, Dr Muradyan is an expert judge in the 'Concours Mondial de Bruxelles' wine competition. As a trailblazing female winemaker, she founded her own wine production company, "Zara Wines". The company uses innovative technologies rooted in her scientific research to craft unique wines and vermouths from local and indigenous Armenian grape varieties. Dr. Muradyan's unwavering dedication, profound knowledge, and innovative spirit continue to shape Armenia's wine industry and reinforce its global reputation.