By Lou Phillips
Editor’s Note: Part I may be found at TheTahoeWeekly.com
In Part I, I celebrated the journeys of some of the pioneering women of the wine world, and perhaps you were even inspired to enjoy some of their wines. In Part II, let’s meet a few more female wine stars.
Ersalina and Antonella Branca
In northern Italy, Ersalina and Antonella Branca of Sorelle Branca got off to a humorous start when they took over their father’s winery. The word Sorelle, which means sisters in Italian, led buyers to think the wines were made by a group of nuns. That misunderstanding proved a stroke of marketing serendipity, as it created a perception of mystery and exclusiveness about their wines. Holy or not, these women fashion some of the most authentic Prosecco in Italy.
Their motto is, “Quality is our obsession, and our passport to the world.” Sorelle is also a leader in sustainable agriculture, which along with the yummy wines, is another reason you’ll feel good when you enjoy a bottle of their bubbles.
Katie Madigan
Back to California for some Sonoma sunshine in the person of winemaker Katie Madigan of St. Francis Winery. Katy became hooked on a wine career during her internship where typical workdays were more than 12 hours, and when the rest of the crew was ready to fall over, Katie was ready for more. That led to a lab tech position, and her exceptional work there opened the door to her current status as winemaker. In her debut vintage, she made a 2012 Petite Sirah that received superstar scores from the wine press. That put her on the map. Adding to her resume are the well-made Zinfandels, Chardonnays and more that she crafts at St. Francis. When asked to sum up her philosophy, Katie said, “I want St. Francis to be the wine that people remember.”
Carol Shelton
Finally, we meet Carol Shelton from Mendocino. Like almost every winemaker in California, Carol graduated from UC Davis. The twist is that her degree is not in the wine sciences, but rather in poetry. This shows through on the creative names of her primarily Zinfandel-based wines, such as “Black Magic” and “Wild Thing.” She trained under the legendary Napa wine gurus Andre Tchelistcheff and Robert Mondavi, and now primarily makes terroir-driven, old-vine reds often referred to as mixed blacks for the dark grape varieties that are blended. Shelton wines are classic matches for rustic meals, such as roasted game or bold barbecue.
I want to encourage you to be wine adventurers. So, whether it’s wines made by women, barbecue wines or a theme of your choosing, recruit some collaborators, pick a theme, visit our local wine shops and create a unique wine tasting.
Lou Phillips is a Level 3 (advanced) Sommelier and wine educator specializing in advising private collectors and businesses. He may be reached at (775) 544-3435 or wineguru123@gmail.com. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com for more wine columns.
