Winebow Women Leaders

VÉRONIQUE BOSS DROUHIN Domaine Drouhin Willamette Valley, OR

ELAINE LAFAGE Domaine Lafage Roussillon, France

CHARLINE DRAPPIER Drappier Urville, France

KIM STARE WALLACE Dry Creek Vineyards Sonoma County, CA

With a family history of growing grapes going back 7 generations, Jean-Marc and Eliane Lafage studied and travelled widely to add new skills in winemaking, blending and bottling. They work every day with passion to pay tribute to the magnificent vineyard that nature and that their ancestors left them.

Charline is the eighth generation of the Drappier family, rooted in Champagne since 1808. Raised in Urville among vineyards, she joined the family business early. Seeking broader experience, she earned a Humanities degree from La Sorbonne and an MBA in Stockholm. She also completed WSET Level 3. After 18 months in the USA, she took over sales development in 2016 and now leads Sales and Marketing, blending international expertise with tradition to drive the estate’s evolution.

In 2011, Kim Stare Wallace became President of Dry Creek Vineyard. Her vision for this dynamic family business is clear: to honor the past while innovating for the future. Featured on the cover of Wine Spectator in 2021 and a finalist for Wine Enthusiast’s 2019 “Wine Executive of the Year,” Kim remains a leader in Sonoma County. She is dedicated to crafting world-class wines that preserve her family’s legacy while pushing the boundaries of modern California viticulture.

Véronique Boss-Drouhin grew up in Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy. She decided on a winemaking career at an early age, inspired by her family and also the small circle of women working in wine at the time. In the years since, Véronique has become globally- recognized for her work in Burgundy and Oregon. She has made more than 30 vintages in each growing region, and is considered an icon in both. Today, Véronique continues to make every wine for Domaine Drouhin.

SARAH VANDENDRIESSCHE Elizabeth Spencer California

LÉANA GODARD Forge Cellars Finger Lakes, New York

LISA DETWILER Fosforo Mezcal Mexico

ELENA PENNA Elena Spirits Piedmont, Italy

Léana was born and raised in Voiron, France, where Chartreuse is made. In 2018, she graduated from the University of Bordeaux with a diploma in Oenology. While at university, she served as Louis Barruol’s intern and mentee at Château de St. Cosme. In 2018, Léana worked harvest in Burgundy with winemaker Nadine Gublin at Jacques Prieur in Meursault. She split her time between the Finger Lakes and France until 2022, when she became the full-time winemaker at Forge Cellars.

Fosforo Mezcal is female founded and led by Lisa Detwiler. In the early 2000s, Lisa became infatuated with mezcal after an introduction to the spirit one transformative evening with her husband in San Miguel de Allende. As the years passed, her love and curiosity for the spirit grew alongside a sense of frustration at the inconsistent quality of the mezcal offerings in the U.S. Determined to find mezcal greatness, and now driven by a belief that others would appreciate a brand that echoed this quest for perfection, Lisa sought out to build Fósforo.

From 1990 to 1994, Elena worked in her family’s hospitality business. She then joined the Miroglio Group, a top Italian fashion company, where she spent 11 years with the GM and CFO. In 1994, she married Luca Currado Vietti, a third-generation Vietti Winery winemaker. Balancing both careers until 2005, she then joined the winery full-time as brand and export manager. Now, she revitalizes family traditions with a new line of premium spirits, liqueurs, and vermouths.

Sarah Vandendriessche joined Elizabeth Spencer as Winemaker in 2010. She gained her winemaking experience through hands-on practice under mentorship and tutoring of Nigel Kisnman and Abe Schoener. As head winemaker Vandendriessche oversees all aspects of production, from managing vineyard practices through to bottling. Her winemaking philosophy ensures all wines all beautifully balanced with purity and elegance.

Women Leaders in Wine & Spirits

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