For centuries, the wine industry has been dominated by men—but that’s changing, especially in the natural wine space.
Across the globe, female winemakers are stepping into leadership roles, transforming the world of winemaking with a focus on minimal intervention, sustainability, and authenticity.
From Sonoma County to South Africa, these trailblazing women are redefining winemaking processes and are many of the key people involved in the natural wine movement.
As a proudly woman-founded company, we’re thrilled to work with so many women in every area of the industry from winemakers, to importers, somms, fair organizers, authors and more!
Outside the Bottle
Typically when we think about women in natural wine we're thinking about the winemakers. BUT as the founder of MYSA we like to think of Holly also as a woman in natural wine and there are some real trailblazers outside of the winemaking space too.
Three of the biggest names include:
- Isabelle Legeron MW - the founder of RAW, the largest natural wine fair in the world
- Jenny Lefcorte - the founder of Jenny & Francois, one of the first and largest natural wine importers in the US
- Alice Feiring - one of the top wine writers in the world and a major advocate for natural wine
There are MANY many more importers, distributors, wine bar owners, that we capture in our "where to find" series and note when they are women or minority owned. In fact, we'd argue that at least 50%, maybe more, of the companies we work with are run by women. A drastic increase relative to the wine world at large.
What Makes Natural Wine Special?
Natural wine is a return to tradition—hand-harvested grapes, wild fermentation, and minimal additives. Unlike conventional wines, which often undergo fining and filtering, natural wines are left unfiltered, preserving their unique winemaking processes and deep connection to terroir.
Many women winemakers are drawn to natural winemaking because it aligns with their values of sustainability, creativity, and authenticity—principles at the heart of this growing movement.
The Rise of Women Winemakers in Natural Wine
The natural wine movement is all about minimal intervention and showcasing a wine’s true character. Women have been at the forefront of this movement, leading award-winning wineries, managing viticulture and enology practices, and operating world-class tasting rooms.
Their dedication has earned them recognition from Wine Enthusiast and other top wine publications for their commitment to quality and innovation.
Women winemakers to watch
This month, we’re celebrating the women at the forefront of natural winemaking—crafting everything from bold reds to crisp sparkling wines. Our March club lineup highlights some of our favorite female winemakers, including:
Maria Pato - Duckman - Barraida, Portugal.
Known for playful, boundary-pushing wines that put the grape’s character front and center. On the labels, you won't find any indications of the region which is done intentionally to show varietal typicity through minimal intervention and show a profound sense of place. Baaaga Duck is a must-try this month.
Photo courtesy of @joao_pato_aka_duckman on Instagram
Bianka Schmitt - Weingut Schmitt - Rheinhessen, Germany.
A family estate producing biodynamic wines full of character. They’re known for their biodynamic approach and minimal intervention, creating wines that let the land and fruit speak for themselves. Their Frei.Körper.Kultur Fizz, included in the club this month, is a perfect example of their vibrant, unfiltered style.
Jennifer Bariou - Jennifer Bariou & Thibaut Bodet - Loire, France.
Their hands-on approach to grape growing results in stunningly expressive bottles. They have built one of the most exciting estates in Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau. Their wines are all about creativity and experimentation, with a deep respect for the region’s history. This month’s club features Vignes d’Ys, a stunning representation of their natural winemaking philosophy.
Emilie Bolognini - Mas Mellet - Costière de Nîmes, France.
Twenty years ago, Emilie and her partner Brice took on the challenge of restoring 27 hectares of abandoned vineyards. Over time, they scaled back, converted to biodynamic farming, and transformed their land into a haven for biodiversity—planting mimosa, pomegranate, olive, and fig trees while using sheep for natural vineyard maintenance. Their wines, like the Pari Finesse Costières featured in this month’s club, are a true reflection of their commitment to the environment and the Mediterranean terroir.
Marilina Paterno - Cantina Marlina - Sicily, Italy.
Photo courtesy of Cantina Marilina.
With a dedication to organic farming and minimal intervention in the cellar, they cultivate a diverse mix of indigenous and international varieties, crafting wines that are pure, expressive, and deeply tied to the land. This month’s club includes their Sikele Orange, a stunning example of their thoughtful, terroir-driven approach.
Judith Beck - Burgenland, Austria.
Photo courtesy of Weingut Judith Beck.
Her vineyards are wild, thriving, and full of life—just like her wines. She works biodynamically, letting nature take the lead while gently guiding the process. Her wines showcase Austria’s native grapes—Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent, and Zweigelt—resulting in fresh, vibrant bottles with real personality. This month, we’re featuring a three-pack of her most expressive wines.
And that’s just the beginning! These are just a few of the incredible women shaking up the natural wine world.
Our collection features wineries that are at least 50% women-owned, including Meinklang, Gut Oggau, Pinard et Filles, Christina, Vivanterre, Beru, Rabasco, Partida Creus, and Autour de L’Anne.
Who’s Your Favorite Female Winemaker?
The winemakers we have above are just some of the ones were featuring in this month's club, but we have SO many more that we love working with too!
Whose wines are you most excited to taste? Have a favorite woman-led winery we didn’t mention?
Drop your picks in the comments and help us build the ultimate wine list celebrating the women redefining natural wine!
