RUTHERFORD, CALIFORNIA | JANUARY 15, 2020: The Napa | Sonoma chapter of Women for WineSense’s (WWS) Winemakers’ & Viticultural Roundtable presents a candid conversation with famed consulting winemaker Heidi Barrett on Thursday, January 16, 2020, from 3:00 to 5:30 pm at Foley Johnson located at 8350 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA, 94573. The event is hosted by the Foley Family Food & Wine Society highlighting the estate’s historic Rutherford tasting room and the creations of Foley Johnson Winemaker, Giovani Verdejo, and Assistant Winemaker, Alyssa Feutz.
ABOUT THE EVENT: Early arrivals will meet at 3:00 p.m. to enjoy time for mingling while sampling Estate wines. At 3:30 p.m. Ms.Feutz will lead a behind-the-scenes production tour focused on winemaking primarily from Bordeaux varietals grown sustainably on the estate.
At 4:00 p.m. the group will enjoy more wine tasting, announcements and a program featuring candid discussion with internationally renowned consulting winemaker, Heidi Barrett in a conversation about the path she forged to become one of the legends of Napa Valley and the many technical, entrepreneurial and management skills she developed in order to run her own business as both a consulting winemaker and multi-brand owner while balancing her time for family, aviation and more.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a bottle or two of their wine to as thanks to the Roundtable hosts and our guest speaker. Carpools are available.
RSVP DETAILS: Please, no walk-ins. The 2020 kick-off free roundtable meeting is open exclusively to WWS Winemaking and Viticulture Roundtable active members and any remaining spaces will be assigned to 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 Winemaking Roundtable events, please contact the Chair, Julie Lumgair (Julie@Lumgair.com).
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Across three decades Ms. Barrett has crafted many of Napa Valley’s most sought-after and cult classic wines. Her creations including Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle Maya and their Cabernets which built her recognition. She then expanded her artistry to other varietals and clients including Amuse Bouche, Au Sommet, Vin Perdu, Fantesca, Kenzo Estate, Showket, Paradigm, Lamborn, Jones, and Revana and others while building her own brands, La Sirena and Barrett & Barrett.
ABOUT THE HOST: Founded by Vintner Bill Foley, Foley Food & Wine Society is dedicated to uniting three of life’s biggest passions: wine, food, and travel. Members have access to a plethora of wonderful sights, flavors, and experiences through an incredibly unique and diverse portfolio of wineries with their own individual identity, style and distinctive personality in Napa, Sonoma, other key California AVAs, Oregon and New Zealand. Foley Johnson winery showcases 50 acres of estate vineyards sustainably farmed in the Rutherford AVA split into over 30 distinct vineyard blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Musque. Additional limited production handcrafted wines are produced from sister winery vineyard parcels.
ABOUT THE WINEMAKING & VITICULTURAL ROUNDTABLE: This Roundtable meets approximately six times a year, taking a harvest break.
Roundtable Chair, Julie Lumgair, noted “Our past meeting topics have focused upon the C-suite professional skills and insights women winemakers and viticultural professionals need but aren’t always easy to get in their daily work environment.”
She further explained that, “Held at some of Napa and Sonoma’s finest host wineries, these 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, leading academics, global sensory consultants, sommeliers, media trainers, 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@gmail.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 lineup of events planned for 2020.
