Wine Enthusiast is a well-known wine, food and travel magazine, founded in 1988. A few years ago it began to focus on women — with great results.
Monica Larner was the magazine's first Italian editor; today she tastes Italian wines for Wine Advocate. In her place is another woman, Kerin O'Keefe.
Wine Enthusiast Wine Stars Award
Two major awards, both won by women
The magazine doesn't just recognize capable, resourceful women — it rewards them. The last edition of the Wine Enthusiast Wine Stars Award proved it, with two major prizes won by women.
Wine Character of the Year went to Barbara Banke, a strong and courageous woman who left her career as a lawyer to marry Jess Jackson, founder of Jackson Family Wines (JFW), the largest family winery in California. After her husband's death, she devoted herself entirely to the business, growing it to record levels: the company now counts 35 wineries and 1,100 employees.
The second major prize, Sommelier of the Year, went to Alpana Singh, nicknamed Lucky, who became a master sommelier at 26 and is also a television personality. In 2012 she opened the Boarding House in Chicago.
In short: women and wine are a perfect match.
