Celebrating Vero Women in Wine, from Italy to California!
Here at woman owned Vero, we certainly know the importance of women in the wine world. In searching for the best artisanal wines, we are proud to represent several wineries that include passionate women! While fabulous organizations such as Wonder Women of Wine, Women of Wine Sense, and Women of the Vine & Spirits, do so much for the empowerment of women in the wine world, in this month of March, we at Vero want to tip our hats to a few special women and their wines we are proud to represent. So please, join us and raise a glass of wine to these inspiring and passionate women!
Valentina Conterno - Aldo Clerico
The granddaughter of a famous Barolo producer, Paolo Conterno, wine is truly in Valentina’s blood. Joining her husband, Aldo, she lends her invaluable experience and help to produce all their wines, such as Aldo Clerico’s fabulous Ginestra Cru Barolo whose grapes come from her grandfather’s vineyard. Aldo Clerico grew up in the same town as Valentina, Monforte D’Alba, where he has his own family vineyards, producing traditional Langhe red varietals, Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto and making some of the most sought after wines in the world! Valentina is an integral part of the day-to-day running of the winery and vineyards to help create flavors that honor the traditions and beauty that is truly native to the area.
Elisa Barbero - Cantine Briamara
Joining forces with her husband Max, Cantine Briamara’s prestigious Caluso Erbaluce is produced from vineyards passed down to Elisa from ancestral aunts who were nuns; a true legacy to women owned vineyards! These vineyards located at the foot of the alps in Northern Italy, and produce amazing white, sparkling and sweet wines with the legendary Erbaluce grape, as well as reds with Piemontese varietals Nebbiolo and Barbera. Elisa and Max believe first and foremost, good wine starts in the vineyard, and they strive to cultivate the perfect wines from the start.
Raffaella Merlin - Bugno Martino
Leaving behind her Milan office job in marketing, Raffaella decided to follow her true passion and join the wine world with her husband, Giuseppe. Moving back to Mantua after university, she founded with her husband Bugno Martino with the goal of creating a great tasting, artisanal and organic Lambrusco, red and rose sparkling wines! It has become truly a family endeavor, with Raffaella and Giuseppe’s young children joining them in the vineyard and winery. Raffaella truly adores the landscape of Mantua, and the winery works diligently to honor the Lambrusco grape in every possible way through tender care and attention.
Antonella Manuli - La Maliosa
A true power woman of the wine world, Antonella studied in the US and worked in business in Italy, before falling in love with the Tuscan land and the biodynamic and organic movements. She now grows and makes wine following the Metodo Corino, a patented procedure for making organic, biodynamic and natural wine, which she developed along with fellow wine grower-maker, Lorenzo Corino. The result is amazing wines and olive oils… all organic, vegan, and nothing added, except what nature brought to the table! She shares her passion about sustainable farming practices by traveling the world speaking on ethical and transparent wine production.
Patti Mitchell - Ojai Pacific View Vineyard and Winery
Inspired by the delicious wines of the Langhe region of Italy after a vacation there, Patti decided to try her hand at winemaking by returning home and planting Dolcetto on her Ranch in Ojai, California. Her daughter, Jacqueline, is a chef in the Langhe and helps from abroad, infusing a bit of ‘la dolce vita’ into the wines from afar! Patti’s passion and love of her land in the California mountains are beautifully expressed in this unique take on a traditional varietal rarely found outside of its native Italy!
Claudia Pagliotti - Quercia Scarlatta
Moving to Le Marche to follow their passions in organic farming and wine, Claudia and her husband started Querica Scarlatta to be as sustainable and natural as possible. They strive to create wines with no added sulfites, and believe in a healthy blend of tradition infused with new technologies. Claudia works tirelessly to not only sustain the vineyard and winery but also olive oil! Working with her niece, Claudia also creates a line of natural cosmetics using their farm to market produce everywhere they can. Claudia’s products with Quercia Scarlatta have even been featured in Eataly’s ‘Foodie Playground’ Fico!
Sara Trevisani - Terramossa
Terramossa is comprised of a tag team of two wineries. On one side of the team there is Podere Palazzo, represented by Sara. Her passion and previous experience with Podere Palazzo allows Sara to lend a unique take to Terramossa. In fact, their wines combines non-traditional grape varietals and traditional methods to create one-of-a-kind sparkling wines.
Donatella Zanotti - Tomisa
Venturing into the unknown with her her husband and family, Donatella founded Tomisa in 1997 when they began to farm the land around their home in Emilia Romagna, Italy. By 2003 they were even certified organic. Since then, they have also expanded into cosmetics, crafting an all natural line of cosmetics using grapes as a base. Donatella drives this winery named for her children, and she is a woman truly passionate for her craft!
Hilde Petrussa - Vigna Petrussa
Labeled as a true Shero in the wine world, Hilde is the driving force behind the second generational woman owned Vigna Petrussa. Taking over the vineyard from her mother in 1994, Hilde made a drastic move back towards the indigenous varietals of Friulli Venezia Giulia. She takes part in every aspect of the wine making process, from vineyard to bottle. This all culminates in an unique blend of fruit and passion that Hilde infuses in all of her wines. The wines of Vigna Petrussa are are lauded internationally by world renowned Italian wine critic Ian D’Agata.
Sheila Donohue - Vero
After living in Italy for many years where she became a sommelier, Sheila saw an opportunity to introduce unknown wines and grape varietals from small, passionate, sustainable producers from Italy and beyond. Sheila decided to do something about it! A true Shero for the industry, Sheila followed her passions and founded Vero to bring these amazing wine and food producers to the US and connect their passion with adventurous food and wine lovers searching for more-than-the-usual goods. A certified sommelier, Sheila loves to introduce these unique wines and olive oils to the US market and help cultivate special experiences for all.
So join us here at Vero and let’s raise a glass to the fabulous wineries and contributions brought about by talented and passionate women the world over! It’s hard to imagine wine without that little feminine touch… and these inspiring women above make sure to put a bit of their passion and industry in every bottle.
Why not enjoy for yourself the fruits of these hard women’s work and passion? Contact us if you were in the trade or if you are a corporate seeking wine for events or gifts. Otherwise, shop away and we’ll deliver the wine to your home!
