Napa Insider
Women of the vine and valley
By Christina Julian
I look forward to writing my March column each year as it affords me the opportunity to propel women’s voices and their businesses forward in honor of Women’s History Month. It feels extra meaningful this year, as equal rights are palpably in jeopardy once again. Doing its part to shatter ceilings, this year marks the 10-year anniversary of Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS), the global membership organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the beverage alcohol industry. Over the past decade the org has made great strides, growing its membership to a robust community composed of 10,000 professionals worldwide, including more than 160 corporate companies. Through ongoing educational programs, events, virtual live chats and an annual conference, the group pools insights from experts in the
at Greystone. The couple married and left the area to raise five children, but as many do, they returned in 2010. Flash forward 10 years and they had purchased a 73-acre ranch in St. Helena, ripe with hundreds of olive trees that were planted by Charles Krug and date back to the 19th century. Ana, together with daughter Marcela, bought the Grove 45 olive oil brand in 2019, and built it on tenants of philanthropy and sustainability. In an effort to minimize their carbon footprint, they switched to 100% recycled American aluminum for the olive oil containers and committed to work with as many local and
American companies. Having tasted through the different offerings, I found each to be nuanced, flavorful and the perfect accompaniment to just about everything. In an area where tasting rooms are as commonplace as street signs, it’s hard to stand out. But Grove 45 does just that with unique experiences, such as the veggie bouquet making class, a monthly high tea, and an olive-curing class where participants pick olives, prep them in the tasting room and walk out with their very own curing kit. There is even a monthly comedy night which promises an evening full of wine, delicious popcorn (olive oil drizzle, of course), and some of the best comics from around the Bay Area. And who couldn’t use a good laugh right now? Museion is owned and operated by siblings Marcela and Jorge Jr., whose vision for the property is to become a must-stop, multi-experiential destination that blends art, culture and wine in curated spaces across the property. Vintner Maria Chiancola shared, “Custom crush allows Tipsy Rose [Wines] to exist, but the crush at Museion is a unique experience. I feel supported both as a winemaker and as a brand. It is a place to be creative, collaborative and where you have the resources to make great wines.” This winter Tipsy Rose was included in the Women in Wine tasting experience, which was a collaborative showcase of world-class female winemakers, including Rarecat wines from Sharon Kazan Harris, Trois Noix maker Jaime Araujo, Five Vintners Krisi Raymond, and Museion wines from Marcela Hernandez. While the future of women’s rights and equality for all is uncertain, there is comfort in the certainty of the things we can count on this time of year— with mustard in full bloom and buds bursting, ready to break. u After years in the technology and advertising trenches, Christina Julian traded city life for country and unearthed a new philosophy— life is complicated, wine and food shouldn’t be. Her debut novel, a romantic comedy called The Dating Bender , is now available. Learn more at christinajulian.com . You can reach her at cjulian@ northbaybiz.com.
field across a broad range of topics including how to retain talent, ways to nurture mental wellness and how to lead through crisis and change. Mentorship and networking opportunities have also been a cornerstone of WOTVS, with its global membership directory, the breaking-the-barrier series, and a continued commitment to connecting members to industry pros and leading-edge companies. While DEI initiatives are now in peril in this country, the organization has always been a strong advocate for gender diversity and inclusion for the past 10 years through its groundbreaking DEI benchmark study, which feels more imperative than ever. WOTVS also stood at the forefront against harassment with the launch of “86 Harassment,” an industry-wide initiative aimed at fostering safer workplace environments in the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries. The initiative provides vital training, education and support to ensure safety for all. “Women of the Vine & Spirits' 10th anniversary not only celebrates past achievements of the organization and those of our corporate member companies, but also serves as a renewed call to action for ongoing advocacy and empowerment of women in the beverage alcohol sector,” says Elizabeth Campbell Boyd, vice president of Women of the Vine & Spirits. I will gladly raise a glass to action and advocacy to ensure that every voice across our country and world can make a difference and be heard. Women in wine Women are also in the house in Calistoga near the corner of Lincoln Avenue and the Silverado Trail at Museion/Grove 45. The spot is as charming as the wines and olive oil are smooth and refined—offered up in a diverse space that flaunts cozy tasting nooks, giftable items, and a wall of wine showcasing women makers from around the valley and beyond. The story of Museion—a grape-to-bottle winery, tasting room and custom crush facility—starts with Ana and Jorge Hernandez who met in Napa Valley when Ana was a student at the Culinary Institute of America
March 2025
NorthBaybiz 43
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