Online classes, masking requirements and isolation guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic made it hard for UC Davis students to connect and network.

Students in the Department of Viticulture and Enology sought to change that dynamic and they formed Women in Wine, a group for women and those who exist in women’s spaces to connect with others in production and winemaking. 

“There isn’t a lot of representation in the industry,” said doctoral student Arpa Boghozian, the group’s president. “You might be the only woman on the cellar floor. You might be the only woman in the vineyard. Women in Wine focuses on making connections in casual collaborative spaces.”

Now in its fourth year, Women in Wine is expanding offerings beyond vineyard visits, speaker events and other activities by launching a mentoring program linking students with industry professionals. The group is also hosting a “Sustainability in the Wine Industry” symposium on April 6 featuring speakers and panelists addressing viticulture, winemaking and the marketing and business sides of the industry.  

“The symposium is focused on bringing together speakers, students and people in the wine community,” Boghozian said. “I wanted to get different perspectives of being a woman in winemaking.”

Ben Montpetit, associate professor and chair of the viticulture and enology department, said the group and its efforts benefits both students and industry by promoting a more diverse and supportive community for all.

“We are extremely proud of the leadership taken on by our students in creating Women in Wine,” he said. “This is an important and growing network within viticulture and enology and externally that will undoubtedly help our students enter the industry and find success in their careers.”  

Making connections

The mentoring program launched in January and gives students a chance to learn from professionals while getting a sense of the opportunities available.

“A lot of people think they want to be a winemaker going into the program, but there’s this whole other world,” Boghozian said. “I think it’s great to see the other aspects of what you can do in the wine and grape industry.”

This year, 18 students were linked with 14 mentors in a variety of roles, including winemakers, an enologist, viticulturists, marketers and business owners. The mentors range from recent graduates to those with decades of experience.

Justin Ito graduates with a master’s degree in June and is interested in the enology side of the business. She was able to get valuable career advice from her mentor and a chance to train on some lab equipment that could benefit her job search.  “It’s really nice to have someone whose been in the industry for a few years,” Ito said.

For Alexandra “Allie” Lipco, her mentorship led to a job offer with Cade Estate Winery as a harvest intern and she credits Women in Wine for making is possible. “Having these connections with fellow women in the industry really helps,” Lipco said, “and that’s really what the entire club and symposium is trying to do.”

Alum Danielle Cyrot, who is the winemaker at Cade and Lipco’s mentor, said the mentorship program gives students a chance to spend quality time with people in the industy. “When I was an undergraduate in the viticulture and enology department, I really enjoyed meeting other women winemakers working in the industry,” Cyrot said in a statement.  “The industry at that time was male dominated, so it was important to me to meet women doing the work, just as good as men.”

Symposium

The symposium, which will be held at the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, offers education, networking and a wine reception. Representatives from Lepaine Wines, Shake Ridge Vineyards, Maryam + Company, Schramsberg and Trefethen Family Vineyard are participating.

The symposium is open to students and the public, with tickets ranging between $15 and $30.

To learn more about the schedule or to buy tickets, visit the symposium registration webpage.