Women of the Vine: Inside the World of Women Who Make, Taste, and Enjoy Wine

by Deborah Brenner, Gina Gallo (Foreword)

A celebration of wine and women If you are passionate and believe in what you are doing, work is not a job but a way of life. For today’s enterprising women in the wine industry, it is their passion for their careers in wine that both defines them and unites them. More than a book about wine, Women of the Vine connects with today’s women in the wine industry, whose passions dictate how they lead their lives, how they fight adversity and conquer gender stereotypes in an often male-­­dominated workplace—and how their calling has taken them on the most rewarding journeys of their lives.  Brimming with helpful sidebars filled with tips and secrets—including storing wine after opening, unusual food and wine pairings, and tasting wine like a pro— Women of the Vine takes you on a new and very different journey to wine country, inviting you to enjoy these remarkable women’s stories one sip at a time. Voted one of Wine Spectator ’s best new books of the year for any wine lover’s library, December 2007

Genres: Nonfiction, Wine

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

Reviews

[Krista Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has me fired up about becoming a winemaker. I read it leading up to my first Enology and Viticulture classes beginning this year. Bravo!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains biographical sketches of women in the wine industry. The focus is narrowed to the U.S. and primarily California, but does provide some insight into the struggles that some of these women faced as they worked their way up in the wine industry. The book covers some more well known women, and does have a few variations in the wine related jobs as well.

[Ann Boytim · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a world dominated by men these women who have pioneered their way into wine making show determination and come into their own. Some names and wineries are well known but all these women made their visions into successes

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

his is an interesting read about women whose lives focus much on wine from growers, winemasters and writers, to teachers. How they became involved with wine and others who love it, and briefly what wines go with some selected dishes. No recipes but brief bios about the women the book featured. In addition, the author included photos of each of the women.

My favorite parts were those sections about the women who struggled to establish wineries or a career in the industry. Those who inherited their chances such as the Gallos not so much.

Don't miss sections such the one about Dr. Ann Noble from the University of California, Davis, who invented the wine aroma wheel which is widely used by those in the industry. She was a mentor to some of the women who studied with her. And, Stephanie Browne because she loved wines founded a group called Divas UnCorked to increase the appreciation of wine among women. That effort prompted the establishment of such clubs across the country. And, the delightful Andrea Immer Robinson, master sommelier, not only talks about wine but writes books and columns and does television shows. She is amazing.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I was not surprised by the struggles these women faced in working in this industry. There are the universal obstacles of gender bias and the difficulty of balancing work with family life. It's not an easy life. It's not all wine tastings, wine dinners and glamorous travel. I liked the Gallo cousins' stories about working their way up through the ranks of their grandparents', Ernest's & Julio's, empire. I've always been impressed with Master Sommelier, Andrea Immer Robinson, who is only one of a handful of women who has achieved that rank in the world. It's a quick read and gives a little advice about some of their favorite wine and food pairings. It's a nice summer read with a glass of wine in hand.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book that tells the story of about 20 women associated with the wine industry. It is an industry dominated by men and talks of the difficulty breaking into the industry 20 years ago. If you want to have a career in wine, attend the U. C. Davis.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun easy read and it should make for a VERY fun book club next week. I gave it a three because there were grammatical and spelling errors throughout the book but nevertheless it was a quick and fun read.

[Beth]

This book is great so far. The women profiled are knowledgeable & interesting. There's also some great tips on wine tastings & pairings.

[Janna · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Carrie Zimmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, though the stories felt somewhat repetitive.