Look For These Women Winemakers In Southwest Florida

Sonoma Cutrer

Thanks to Sonoma Cutrer for sending me a free bottle of wine to try in exchange for an unbiased review

March is Women's History Month. To celebrate, I'm featuring a variety of women winemakers every week for Wine Wednesday. These are women who are doing some cool things in the industry. Not only are their wines available in Southwest Florida, but they have also visited Naples, Fort Myers and other cities nearby, developing a following of local wine drinkers.

First, a winery that is well known for it's chardonnay and pinot noir, Sonoma-Cutrer. However, many don't know that women lead the winemaking team and have for years. Cara Morrison is Director of Winemaking, and winemaker Zidanelia Arcidiacono, heads the Sustainability and Environmental Team. To hear a more in depth interview I did with Zidanelia, click here. She has a great story.

A few years ago they released a Rosé of Pinot Noir and had a big event in Naples for media and trade. I loved it and now can't wait for the new release every year. I just received the 2022. It's a beautiful light salmon color and it smells like summer. The wine has a crispness and is full of fresh red fruit flavors. It is perfect for spring and summer in Southwest Florida. $25

Sonoma Cutrer

Here's another in the Women Winemakers series to put on your radar

Amy Ash is an entrepreneur and although a native of Napa Valley, her career in the wine business was not a given. She owned a real estate investment business in Tampa for years. After selling the company, a friend in California speculated, she would be good at selling wine. Amy thought so too. She returned to California and did just that. Next, she began consulting wineries and was eventually hired fulltime by the Frias Family where she is General Manager.

Her eye for real estate and passion for the business inspired the creation of her own brand, Aequitas. Amy currently makes three wines and the production is limited. Luckily, the brand has recently become available in Southwest Florida. I hung out with her on a visit to the area last month and attended a wine dinner where she poured several Frias wines. In addition, I was able to taste her wines Aequitas. The Coombsville Cab was a fave. Here are a few photos,

Photo: Gina Birch; Photo: Gina Birch; Photo: Gina Birch; Photo: Gina Birch; Photo: Gina Birch; Photo: Gina Birch

I also got to hang out with Bibiana Gonzalez Rave in Sonoma recently. She was a Women in Wine feature last year. Check this out.

Wine Tasting Women

Gina BirchWriter

Gina Birch brings the sunshine to Sunny 106.3 every weekday morning from 6-10. She has worked in radio, television and print in Southwest Florida for nearly 30 years. During that time, she has become an advocate for numerous charities including those that support animals, children, women and wellness. In addition, she has written for numerous local, regional and national publications about food, wine and travel. Those are her longtime passions...along with shoes.