Leading Paso Robles Winery Proudly Salutes the Women Who Make a Difference in the Vineyard and Beyond
August 19, 2026 (Paso Robles, CA) — The “International Year of the Woman Farmer” culminates at Hope Family Wines this fall as the winery celebrates the women who lead the charge in the vineyard and beyond. With the 2026 Paso Robles wine harvest just getting underway, there has never been a more fitting time to shine a spotlight on those who grow, make and market the wines.
With women making up 70 percent of its employee family, Hope Family Wines proudly embraces the International Year of the Woman Farmer’s aim to spotlight “the essential roles women play across agrifood systems, from production to trade, while often going unrecognized.” The International Year of the Woman Farmer is a yearlong global initiative steered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
“Farming has always been about people as much as the land, and we’re fortunate to have so many talented women helping lead the way at Hope Family Wines,” said Owner-Winemaker Austin Hope. “The harvest season is when the pressure is at its highest, and when our people show what they’re made of. It’s a time when the spirit behind the International Year of the Woman Farmer really comes into focus.”
Adding to the moment this fall is the upcoming Cherry Bombe Farmers & Makers event in Paso Robles on September 25-27, where Hope Family Wines will play an integral partner role including hosting the opening Welcome Party in partnership with CA GROWN at the Austin Hope & Treana Tasting Cellar. This weekend-long event spans tastings, dinners, conversations and special experiences in honor of the International Year of the Woman Farmer and the women behind what we eat and drink.
A Vision for Success
Hope Family Wines is a family affair. Austin Hope’s parents, Chuck and Marlyn Hope, began farming wine grapes in Paso Robles in 1978. Austin Hope took the winemaking helm in 1996 and never looked back. Celeste Hope is an acclaimed photographer whose winery work includes marketing, graphic design, interior design and project management. Daughters Ainsley and Avery have worked in the winery’s production and hospitality departments, and are now gaining broader trade experience with Ainsley working as Hospitality & Events Manager at Freemark Abbey and Avery working at Copain as a Cellar Tech.
Today, women help lead virtually every aspect of Hope Family Wines. “Every year is a ‘year of the woman farmer’ at Hope Family Wines,” said Executive Vice President Gretchen Roddick, who has been with Hope Family Wines for 29 years, and who was recently elected as 2026-2027 Board Chair at Wine Institute. “It’s something that has taken shape naturally over the past 30 years as we’ve brought on individuals whose talent, merit and experience match our vision for success.”
Helping lead the production charge at Hope Family Wines this harvest season are Director of Vineyards & Community Relations Stasi Seay (7 years at Hope Family Wines) and Assistant Winemaker Samantha Taylor (16 years). Women also occupy leadership roles across various winery departments including Hospitality, DTC, Sales, Marketing and Finance.
Now, with the 2026 harvest season arriving early in the wake of steadily warm conditions, the International Year of the Woman Farmer comes to the forefront across the California wine industry. “Harvest is a time when the hard work behind every bottle becomes visible, and it’s the perfect moment to recognize the many women who make it possible,” Hope said.
About Hope Family Wines
Hope Family Wines is one of the pioneering heritage wineries that helped spark the modern winemaking era in Paso Robles. Owner-Winemaker Austin Hope grew up in Paso Robles as the son of winegrowers Chuck and Marlyn Hope, from whom he inherited his love and respect for the region. Hope Family Wines today spans six brands that exemplify the world-class quality and diversity of Paso Robles: Austin Hope, Treana, Quest, Austin, Liberty School and Troublemaker. In the fall of 2022, Hope Family Wines was named “American Winery of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast’s annual Wine Star Awards, and the winery’s flagship Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon has twice been named a “Top 10 Wine of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast. Most important, Hope Family Wines works with 50 partner growers and a dedicated family of employees who make it all possible. More at HopeFamilyWines.com.
