In honor of Women's History Month, we spoke with some of the top women winemakers working in the industry today to learn more about them, their craft, and the wines they produce. Stay tuned throughout the month of March as we update this women in wine series with more interviews and be sure to check out our wine list featuring wineries who have women winemakers on staff.
Jill Russell, Winemaker at Cambria Estate Winery from Santa Maria, California
Wine.com: How does being an estate property impact your approach to winemaking?
Jill Russell: We are lucky that our estate is situated in Santa Barbara County, with perfect growing conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Ultimately being estate means we can have as close to total control over the process as possible. We get to affect farming decisions, when to pick, blending, aging and bottling. From grape to glass!
W: What’s one thing people wouldn’t know or expect about your path to becoming a winemaker?
JR: One of my winemaking positions was in the Loire Valley for harvest. My winemaking experience there helped shape my perspective and made me feel a part of the international winemaking community.
W: The 2017 Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay made Wine Spectator’s Top 100 this year. In a few words, how would you describe the magic of this wine?
JR: Balanced fruit, acidity and salinity.
Thank you, Jill!
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Stay tuned throughout the month of March for more interviews and opportunities to shop wines from women winemakers. Cheers!