IT WAS A BLAST!

The 4th edition of the Women in Wine Expo took place last week in the picturesque city of Porto. The stunning views of the Douro River, magnificent bridges, and city skyline provided the perfect backdrop, with the weather brightening up just for the conference days. The 3-day event was filled with activities, starting with a fantastic reception at the Taylor's Port restaurant and its enchanting gardens. The rooftop sunset views were breathtaking and set an excellent mood.

By Nelly Ward

All photo credits: Taylor's Port and Women in Wine Expo

Taylor's Port's CEO and Chairman Adrian Bridge's warm welcome was a significant start, recognizing the importance of the occasion that brought together over a hundred women from 27 countries this year. The evening was filled with excitement and joy as attendees greeted old friends and welcomed newcomers like family, fostering a sense of camaraderie and unity. 

Beginning with a refreshing Porto-Tonic, we enjoyed a variety of fantastic wines brought by the women, including a crisp Alvarinho, a rich Douro red, and a delightful Port to conclude the evening, expertly paired with a selection of Portuguese cheeses. While we could have stayed all night sharing stories, the busy program awaited everyone the next day.

Day 2 unfolded at the riverfront of Porto's newest and most remarkable hotel, The Rebello. How did we kick off the day? Naturally, with a tasting masterclass. The finest wines from Douro were expertly presented by our keynote speaker, the legendary Sandra Tavares da Silva, a trailblazer and the only Portuguese in Jancis Robinson's list of most notable winemakers of the world. Our journey then took us across continents to sample unexpected hybrid still wines from North Carolina and a superb fortified wine from a barrel sample, guided by Elizabeth Higley, winemaker of Windsor Run Cellars. These wines captivated everyone with their freshness, expressiveness, and intriguing flavour profiles. 

Following an exquisite lunch at The Rebello's restaurant, we enjoyed a stroll by the river to visit WOW's Planet Cork Museum, where we were fascinated by the history and technology of cork production. After everyone took a branded cork out of the cork machine, back at The Rebello, we delved into a masterclass led by Magda Sá, a Portuguese cork producer, mother, and owner of Timescork. Magda not only shared valuable insights about cork production and its potential faults but also opened up about her professional and personal challenges and how she navigates them. The day concluded with a relaxing breathing session and a glass of traditional method sparkling Bordeaux from the esteemed Caro Feely.

The last day of the conference at the WOW Gallery was filled with inspiring stories and the sharing of valuable knowledge, empowering the audience with new insights. The lineup of speakers was not just impressive, but also influential in the wine industry: Senay Ozdemir, the woman behind the WIWE, emphasized the importance of storytelling in amplifying women's voices in the wine industry worldwide.
As an extraordinary surprise, artist Kristinka Lazar was asked to draw portraits of the attendees who have been part of the WIWE for the third time, a testament to their commitment.

Marta Mendonca and Cristina Crava from The Porto Protocol Foundationshared insights on how their members are advancing climate action and highlighted remarkable women in wine who are making a difference across the value chain with passion, determination, and empowerment. The panel session featured contributions from Kelly Pearson, winemaker from Australia; Stephanie Cuadra Armengol, a wine and vermouth producer from Italy; Mariana Serra, Forest Stewardship Council Portugal's international communications manager, and Sophie Bellin, a sustainability expert and wine shop owner in Porto. They primarily discussed the possibilities achievable through collective efforts. 

WOMEN IN WINE WORLDWIDE
Karene Vilela, a prominent figure in the Brazilian wine industry, shed light on the Brazilian wine market and industry landscape. Joanna Pudo, a successful entrepreneur, presented the Polish wine strategy and her entrepreneurial journey. Yoke Darmawan, one of the founders of Bali-based Sababay Winery, shared their story of building a community of growers in Bali to craft their wines. Lucia Costa, a Portuguese with an Irish accent, told the audience about her journey of finding her place in the industry while passionately educating wine consumers at Neighbourhood Wine Dublin.

This year, the Burgundy School of Business and WIWE partnered up and eight MBA students - representing five countries - presented the initial findings of the first Global Survey on Female Wine Consumption, enlightening the audience with their research.

Sónia Ramos, an expert in wine tourism, gave insight into the development of the Manzwine experience and how they revived the near-extinct variety of Jampal in their brand.
Zaruhi Muradyan and Nora Sargsyan, who attended the WIWE with a delegation of twelve women wine professionals from Armenia, discussed the challenges they have faced in wine production since 4100 BC, including the impact of geopolitics, war, and government decisions on their winemaking traditions. Caro Feely who closed the Tourism section, highlighted the importance of direct-to-consumer sales and experience-based wine tourism in enhancing profitability and brand identity. 

Tiffany Patterson mesmerized the audience with her eloquent words, showcasing the transformative power of travel writing in uplifting, uniting, and evoking emotions. Here is her beautiful poem.

Bijou Wine, our valuable sponsor of five attendees from Portugal, took us to Languedoc Roussillon to tell us about the story of Sophie Valrose, the woman who fought for women’s rights and drastically improved the conditions for her fellow female workers in the vineyard.

The exploration continued at the World of Wine (WOW), where groups could partake in unique experiences such as wine tastings, chocolate tastings, rosé immersion, port heritage, and wine education at The Wine School. Porto once again impressed with its weather and scenic views. The day concluded with a diverse wine tasting featuring selections from Australia, Georgia, New Zealand, France, Turkey, Indonesia and Portugal, with two rounds of special pours of Armenian wines. More women in wine, journalism, hospitality, and diplomacy visited the event, adding to the richness of the experience.

As with previous WIWE editions, the 4th edition was a testament to the unity and collaboration among women in the wine industry. The event was a platform for women to support and uplift each other, fostering a culture of cooperation and solidarity that sets them apart from their male counterparts. Through mentorship, networking, and shared camaraderie, Women in Wine Expo creates a supportive community that empowers each individual and paves the way for a more inclusive and diverse industry. The event was a jubilant celebration of the achievements and contributions of women in the wine industry from East to West, a moment of pride and recognition, proving that unity and mutual support can lead to incredible accomplishments and positive change in the wine world.

Saúde on behalf of the WIWE team!

Nadia, Gizane, Csaba, Jodie, Senay and Nelly