Celebrating Our Women in Wine

Reflections for International Women’s Day

Every vineyard teaches patience.
In winter, when the vines appear quiet and still, something important is happening beneath the soil. Roots are deepening. Strength is building. Growth is preparing for the season ahead.
International Women’s Day, on March 8, feels a bit like that moment of reflection in the vineyard — a chance to pause, look back, and recognize how growth happens over time.
 
At Malivoire, that growth has been shaped by many people, and many stories. Today, we want to share just a few of them, focusing on the women in our past.
 
It begins at the beginning, with the decision to plant roots on the Beamsville Bench. When Martin Malivoire purchased the property, he did so with the support of his partner, Moira. Her influence may not always be loudly told, but it is deeply woven into the story of our vineyard — even reflected in the vineyard designation that carries her name. Her insight and encouragement helped shape those early steps.
 
Of course, no vineyard grows with just one pair of hands.
In the early days, there were several examples of something that would become part of Malivoire’s culture: learning from others and growing together.
Soon after the founding of Malivoire Wine Company, we hired Ann Sperling. Already an accomplished winemaker and grape grower from British Columbia, Ann brought both confidence and curiosity to the cellar. Her influence helped shape the early style of Malivoire wines — expressive, thoughtful, and a little courageous.

At the same time, something else important was taking root behind the scenes: connection. Elena Galey-Pride helped lead our early customer engagement and was a pioneer in email communication in the wine world. Long before it became standard practice, Malivoire recognized that staying connected with visitors — sharing wines, stories, and invitations — would become an important part of who we are.

Before long, another familiar face joined the story. Tammy Kruck began as a part-time member of the retail team and soon grew into the role of Retail Manager. As both a mom and an entrepreneur, her role evolved alongside the winery itself. Today, Tammy helps guide the Insiders Wine Club, the Malivoire brand, and our online presence, supported by a team that includes former restaurant entrepreneur Christine McConville.

In vineyards, growth continues when knowledge is passed along — and mentorship has played a meaningful role here as well.  Ann Sperling demonstrated this when she hired a young rising winemaker, Shiraz Mottiar. She mentored him not only in winemaking, but in something equally important: how to mentor others. Under that guidance, Shiraz welcomed cellar hands from around the world, creating opportunities for both men and women to learn and contribute.

It was through that spirit of opportunity that Elisa Mazzi first arrived at Malivoire as a seasonal cellar hand — at a time when she was still learning her command of the English language 😉. Her dedication, work ethic and talent quickly became clear. Elisa soon joined the team full time as a Lab Technician, and over time stepped into her role as winemaker. Her work has been instrumental in shaping the portfolio of Malivoire wines, including the growth of our sparkling wine program.

Looking back, something becomes clear. What may have felt like everyday decisions at the time were quietly helping shape a culture of opportunity — at a time when many women were still finding their place in the wine world.  And just like a vineyard, a winery is an ecosystem.

Today, many women contribute to Malivoire’s story in ways both visible and quietly essential. One of these people is our offsite salesperson, Nancy Kennedy.  If you have found our wine on a wine list in Niagara, it's likely because of Nancy.  Then there is our Retail and Hospitality Manager, Caitlin James.   She leads an amazing group of wine professionals who are only too happy to share wine and stories with you. When you visit, you may recognize some of these passionate wine enthusiasts who include: Barb, Johanna, Amy, Hailey, Kristin, Kim, Jelayna, Meghan, Nancy H, and Nancy M.

Behind the scenes, administration and operations are also supported by talented women like Alia, who continues a strong tradition built by those before her. And among our lab and vineyard teams, the next generation is already growing — including Taylor, an aspiring student following a path that many women in wine are now helping to define.  While she may not ultimately land in the winemaking world, there is no doubt that her education has been enriched here too.

All of this reminds us of something simple but important.
Growth, like a vine, takes time.
It happens through steady care, thoughtful choices, and respect for the people who help it flourish.

We’re proud of the path Malivoire has taken, but we also know the story is still unfolding. The most exciting part may be looking ahead — seeing the next generation discovering their place in wine, and knowing we have the opportunity to help nurture that journey.

So today, we raise a glass in gratitude.
To the women who have shaped Malivoire’s story.
To those who continue to grow it today.
And to the many colleagues, partners, and friends — including the supportive men who are part of this journey — who help make our winery community what it is.

Cheers to all the women in wine - including those who simply enjoy it in their glasses!
 
If you’d like to explore more stories and history about women in the wine, we recommend the book Sharing a Glass, written by an accomplished woman in wine, Jennifer Wilhelm.

Want to get more involved - check out International Women's Day 

As quoted from their website, International Women's Day is powered by the collective efforts of all.  Collective action and shared ownership for driving gender parity is what makes International Women's Day impactful. Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist reportedly once explained "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights." So make International Women's Day your day and do what you can to truly make a positive difference for women.