Women, wine and wisdom in Venus Vinifera
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Canberra’s wine industry is still one where women are seen as trailblazers if they make or serve wine professionally.
Now a new networking and education group, Venus Vinifera, wants to support and promote Canberra women in the industry so that when they become winemaker and sommeliers, they are not referred to as “female” winemakers and sommeliers.
Set up by Caitlin Baker, who is the manager of fine-dine restaurant Aubergine, Venus Vinifera launched earlier this year and hosts regular events.
Backed by other women and men in the wine and spirit industry, the not-for-profit is run by a board including Mim Azzubair, Georgie McNamara, Lucy Pallett-Jones, Aishlinn Scally and Flossy B. They hope to create a safe and inclusive space for Canberra women to learn about wine, spirits and service. A program of educational events will be held at prominent hospitality venues including Bar Rochford, Pilot Restaurant, Paranormal Wines and Aubergine.
Caitlin said the organisation was there to support both industry and community members who were dedicated to learning more.
She created the platform because somebody needed to do something.
“From a personal standpoint, there has been a shift in recent years but I feel there is a long way to go,” she said.
“I think there is just discomfort in women being in positions of power (not just in wine). You only need to look at the vast disparity in the numbers of female to male sommeliers in the world to know that. There’s no reason that wine should be the domain of men—there is nothing that they can do that we can’t.
Caitlin noted that as long as women were titled female ‘winemakers’ or female ‘sommeliers’ they were not being seen or treated as equals.
“It is a bigger conversation, there’s a lot of work required in gender equalization and the ability and support for women to hold positions of power.”
Caitlin believed women who had risen in the industry to date “understand what it is like to work twice as hard as a male for the same role.”
She hoped Venus Vinifera would bring together a community in an inspiring and safe space–a judgement-free zone where they were able to learn and ask questions without feeling any embarrassment.
Venus Vinifera will aim to provide between 6-10 classes or sessions per year, ranging in wine, spirits, beer and general hospitality. Memberships can be found at the website (and will enable discounted classes and a members-only online platform for resources and articles) and there will also be a mentorship program.
“We would like to welcome all people in the general community to come together, see what we are up to and celebrate this launch with us,” Caitlin said.
To join Venus Vinifera or stay abreast of upcoming events, you can go to venusvinifera.com.au
Feature Image of Caitlin Baker by Leann Timms.
