NAPA / SONOMA, CALIFORNIA |November 30, 2023: On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, from 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. the Napa | Sonoma chapter of Women for WineSense’s (WWS) Winemaking & Viticulture Roundtable will host its members’ 9th Annual Festive Bottle Exchange at Sterling Vineyards, 1111 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515. The Roundtable will be hosted by their winemaker and WWS member, Lauren Kopit.
ABOUT THE EVENT: Early arrivals will meet at 3:00 p.m. to enjoy time for mingling and reconnecting after a busy harvest. At 3pm sharp, attendees will enjoy a holiday treat riding up to the winery in Sterling’s newly renovated famous tram system then arrive to a festive sampling of wines.
At 3:30 p.m. Lauren Kopit will lead a behind-the-scenes production tour for the professional winemakers and viticulture guests that will be focused on the most technical aspects of making Sterling’s portfolio of wines.
At 4:00 p.m. the group will enjoy more wine tasting, discussion and a tiered gift exchange of special bottles from each of the attendees’ collections. The bottle exchange is grouped in progressive retail price tiers, starting at $25, topping out at $100+, so attendees can exchange similar wines.
Attendees are encouraged to bring both a bottle of their wine to share in the festive bottle exchange and a second bottle as thanks to the Roundtable hosts. Carpools are available.
RSVP DETAILS: Please, no walk-ins. The free roundtable meeting is open to WWS Winemaking & Viticulture Roundtable members and interested women winemakers and viticulturists that have emailed and received RSVP guest confirmations through the Roundtable Chair.
To RSVP, or for any questions on this event or future WWS Roundtable events, please contact the Chair, Julie(at)Lumgair(dot)com.
ABOUT THE WINERY AND HOST: Sterling Vineyards was founded in 1964 by Peter Newton and Michael Stone. Newton and Stone were early pioneers of crafting Bordeaux-inspired red wines in California, transforming Napa Valley into the premier winemaking appellation we know today. Sterling Vineyards quickly put the region on the map for creating top quality wines. The winery is an architectural icon and the only winery in the world with an aerial gondola, adding a distinctive touch to the visitor experience. Today, Sterling Vineyards continues to delight consumers through commitment to consistency and quality. After a temporary closure following the Glass Fire, Sterling Vineyards underwent a comprehensive renovation, and recently reopened its doors with a groundbreaking new aerial gondola, expanded tasting and tour options, and a renewed commitment to sustainability and fire mitigation.
Lauren Kopit represents the Sterling Winemaking Team. She has worked in the wine industry ever since her graduation from UC Davis back in 2009. After starting at Sterling in 2014, she celebrates her 10th harvest with the team this year.
ABOUT THE WWS WINEMAKING & VITICULTURAL ROUNDTABLE
This WWS Roundtable meets approximately six times a year, taking a harvest break.
Roundtable Program Committee chair, winemaker Julie Lumgair, noted “Our past meeting topics have focused upon the C-suite professional skills and insights women winemakers and viticulture professionals need but aren’t always easy to get in their daily work environment.”
She further explained that, “Held for over 30 years at some of Napa and Sonoma’s finest host wineries, and since 2020, expanded to both online and in person formats, our Roundtable programs have been a fantastic opportunity for over 100 member women winemakers and viticulturists to connect directly in a friendly professional forum, with experts that they otherwise wouldn’t get to meet for personal advice and questions. Some of our recent speakers have included top wine publication critics and senior editors, iconic winemakers, leading academics, global sensory consultants, sommeliers, media trainers, professional coaching experts, CFO’s and GM’s in panel discussions and key recruiters.”
Professionally qualified winemaker and viticulture guests may attend up to two Roundtables before deciding to join. It is a great way to expand skills while reconnecting and meeting new industry professionals.
ABOUT ADDITIONAL WWS ROUNDTABLES
WWS’ eight current professional roundtables serve to provide a welcoming and confidential environment to meet in small peer groups on a bi-monthly or quarterly basis. Members network, provide advice and support for one another, as well as foster educational occasions by inviting guest speakers in their fields and discussing ‘hot issues’ facing members in their day-to-day work. Multiple Roundtables have developed for WWS industry members in finance, accounting, human resources, winemaking/viticulture and marketing/direct-to-consumer fields.
The Napa/Sonoma Chapter currently has more than 400 members of which 80% are wine industry professionals. To join or learn more about WWS’ roundtables, please visit www.womenforwinesense.org. For inquiries about other WWS roundtables for additional functions besides winemaking and viticulture, contact the Napa| Sonoma Chapter’s Roundtables Director, Hillary Silva, hillaryfrasersilva(at) gmail(dot)com.
ABOUT WOMEN FOR WINESENSE
WWS is a national not-for-profit organization 501(c)6. The Napa| Sonoma Chapter founded in 1990 is the founding chapter of this national organization which provides outstanding educational and networking opportunities to both wine industry professionals and wine enthusiasts by presenting educational, insightful and stimulating events in a welcoming, fun environment. Both men and women of legal drinking age are welcome to join. There is an exciting line-up of events planned for 2024. To join or learn more, please visit www.womenforwinesense.org.
