Winebow Women Leaders

DARIA GAROFOLI Garofoli Marche, Italy

MARTHA GANTENBEIN Gantenbein Graubunden, Switzerland

FRANCESCA VAJRA G. D. Vajra Piedmont, Italy

MADAME MAY-ELIANE DE LENCQUESAING Glenelly Stellenbosch, South Africa

The Garofoli family has been synonymous with winemaking for five generations, making them the oldest producer in Marche with over 150 years of history. Antonio Garofoli began producing wine in 1871, but it was his son Gioacchino who expanded sales across Europe in the 1950s. His grandsons, Carlo and Gianfranco, further advanced the winery. Gianfranco’s wife, Daria, became a top Italian wine ambassador. Today, the fifth generation—Gianluca, Caterina, and Beatrice—manages the winery.

For over 30 years, Madame de Lencquesaing was the owner of the fabled Bordeaux Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, and she is recognized worldwide as a tireless ambassador of Bordeaux. Struck by the tremendous potential of South Africa’s terroir and the beauty of the country and its people, she has now turned her energy and attention to the Cape.

At the foot of the Alps, in the small village of Fläsch, is the gravity flow winery of Daniel and Martha Gantenbein; a marvel of design simplicity, ingenuity and mechanical precision. Daniel and Martha do all of the vineyard and cellar work themselves, by hand. Together, they farm 15 acres of vineyards. Most of the vineyards are planted with Pinot Noir clones from Burgundy. The rest is planted with Chardonnay, as well as a tiny parcel of Riesling, planted with vines sourced from the Mosel.

Francesca Vajra represents the next generation of leadership at her family’s Piedmont estate, blending deep respect for tradition with a modern, outward‑looking vision. Actively involved in all facets of the winery, she helps steward the vineyards, shape the wines’ identity, and share the Vajra story worldwide—ensuring that the family’s values, precision, and passion continue to define every bottle.

THE WINEBOW MONTHLY VARIETAL NOVEMBER | DELAWARE

ANNE EIFEL Heinz Eifel Winery Rheinhessen, Germany

CATHY FRANKLIN Hillrock Estate Distillery Hudson Valley, NY HILLROCK DISTILLERY FOUNDED BY HUSBAND & WIFE Cathy co-founded Hillrock Estate Distillery, a producer of award- winning field-to-glass artisanal whiskey. She oversees the sales and marketing, public relations, events, and distribution functions. Recently, Cathy worked with the distillery team to craft the bestselling “Cathy’s Cuvee” - her own special blend of their flagship Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey. JEFFERY BAKER, CATHY FRANKLIN AND THE LATE LEGENDARY MASTER DISTILLER DAVE PICKERELL

MARJORIE BONVIN Henri Badoux Aigle, Switzerland

MARY BRIDGES Gusbourne Kent, England

Anne Eifel-Spohr is the Winemaker for her family estate Romerhof winery founded in 1979 by her father Heinz. She assumed the role of winemaker in July, 2000 after gaining a diploma in oenology from Geisenheim University. She is responsible for crafting the Heinz Eifel wines, as well as the wine estate Eifel-Pfeiffer and the Romerhof wines.

Winemaker Marjorie Bonvin has been spreading her passion within the Henri Badoux house for ten years. Hers has quickly became an essential “nose”. She shares with us her love of wine and her experience as a woman wine merchant. Founded in 1908, based in Aigle, this traditional winery with an estate of more than 50 hectares has been developing over the years what is nowadays the most famous Swiss wine at home and abroad -“Aigle les Murailles”! Pricing Reprints from The Beverage Media

Mary is one of the UK’s rising star winemakers. She is Gusbourne’s Oenologist with focus on the chemistry and research side of winemaking. Before joining the Gusbourne team Mary worked a harvest in the South of France and did an internship at the influential California producer, Merry Edwards.

Women Leaders in Wine & Spirits

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