Vinifilles - Languedoc girlpower!

ViniFilles is the cute name for the organisation of female winemakers in the Languedoc-Roussillon. Created at the beginning of 2009 by Pascale Riviere of La Jasse Castel in Montpeyroux, ViniFilles now has 18 members.


Their aims are
- to share their know-how and passion for wine and viticulture and to develop a mutual support system between women winemakers
- to preserve the terroir, landscape and environment which they love and defend
- to pass on the culture of wine, conviviality and gastronomy by including men and women from all walks of life in their movement

This will be achieved by wine fairs, tastings and debates and by raising awareness and generating sales of wine through networking. In addition, ViniFilles will highlight the benefits of wine drinking and actively defend French culture and its deepest values, namely its agricultural roots.

As well as their founder (or should that be foundress?), their members also include Hildegard Horat at La Grange de Quatre Sous, Isabelle Champart at Mas Champart, Francois Ollier at Domaine Ollier Taillefer and Francois Frissant le Calvez and Chateau Coupe-Roses. Many of their members will be at Vinisud. Email me if you want a list.

OK, male winemakers can do all his but this organisation is not anti-men. In fact Vinifilles stress that they work alongside their male counterparts. But women have a different approach. ViniFilles are 'women with a fresh yet critical of the world, not afraid to stand our ground, yet always open to constructive change. Our words and actions are direct and practical, shaped by our nature as women, wives and mothers;'

I'll raise a glass to that.