Raise a Glass to Women's History Month with One of These Wines Made by Napa's Leading Ladies

Martha Stewart Living
·3 min read
woman pouring wine into glass
woman pouring wine into glass

Courtesy of Robert Mondavi Winery

California's wine industry is booming, which means there are lots of new wines worth trying from this region. With all of the options available to you, walking into a wine store can be like entering a candy shop for some and an intimidating foreign country for others. Will you select a natural wine? An organic wine? A cult favorite? The choices are seemingly endless. With Women's History top of mind this month, we're here to guide you on a few of our favorite wines made by women in California's Napa Valley.

Hoopes Vineyard in Napa Valley has two leading ladies running the winemaking team: Anne Vawter and Jennifer Rue. A native of Walla Walla, Washington, which just so happens to be another mecca of wine, Vawter made her way to Napa to work for renowned winemaker Heidi Barrett. Jennifer Rue, co-winemaker at Hoopes, spent 11 years working for Miner Family Winery in Napa Valley before officially joining Vawter at Hoopes Vineyard. Together they make over 15 wines a year and still make time to give back by championing women-focused charity organizations such as WomenSave. Try a bottle of their 2017 Hoopes Vineyard Hoopla Rosé ($23.99, wine.com) or 2016 Hoopes Napa Valley Cabernet ($49.99, wine.com).

Less than a 10-minute drive from Hoopes Vineyard is the beautiful Signorello Estate winery. Here, Priyanka French continues the legacy of Signorello through classic Napa Cabernets and Chardonnays. French is originally from Mumbai and made her way to UC Davis to learn winemaking. She's worked at some of Napa's most elite wineries and today makes wine with mentor Celia Welch, a legendary winemaker in the Napa Cabernet scene. Their wines are made in small quantities. If you're looking for a special-occasion Napa Cabernet, Signorello's ($99.99, totalwine.com) will not disappoint.

Related: Wine Glasses for Everyday Drinking

Just north of Signorello in Yountville, you'll find the beloved bubbles house Domaine Chandon Napa Valley. The vibrant and bright sparkling wines of Domaine Chandon are undeniably delicious. Head Winemaker Pauline Lhote leads the team here to make a range of sparkling libations from sparkling rosé to a brut style to a sparkling red. Try the Chandon Brut Rosé ($19.99, wine.com); if you prefer a sweeter wine, go for the Chandon Sweet Star ($19.99, wine.com).

Oakville is where you'll find Robert Mondavi Winery, one of Napa Valley's most famous wineries. Here, Geneviève Janssens brings her talents from Bordeaux to Napa as chief winemaker for the brand. Growing up in a French winemaking family, Janssens was not new to wine, and when it came time to go to university, she decided to hone her skills at the University of Bordeaux where she studied winemaking. Fast forward a few decades later and she has become one of the most influential winemakers in Napa, and perhaps all of California, at Robert Mondavi Winery. Try the 2018 Fume Blanc Sauvignon Blanc ($18.99, wine.com) or the 2018 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon ($13.99, wine.com).

Whether you're in the mood for red or white wine, sparkling or still, the women of Napa really do make it all. Try a bottle from Napa Valley like one of the above or explore other women-made wines such as Silver Oak, Keplinger Wines, Raymond Vineyards, and Clif Family wines.