NAPA, CALIFORNIA | April 25, 2017: The Napa | Sonoma chapter of Women for WineSense’s (WWS) Winemaking & Viticultural Roundtable will host noted senior editor and senior tasting coordinator, MaryAnn Worobiec of Wine Spectator, Wednesday, April 26th, 2017, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Stags Leap District’s iconic Chimney Rock Winery located at 5350 Silverado Trail, Napa.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: MaryAnn Worobiec has been with Wine Spectator since 1997. As senior tasting coordinator in their Napa office, Ms. Worobiec has been responsible for training new staff members, managing the cellars and coordinating blind tastings. She is the lead taster for Australia and New Zealand and also tastes California Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc and other white wines. She was promoted to senior editor in January 2013.
ABOUT THE EVENT: The roundtable will open at 3:00 p.m. with wines, fellowship and networking followed by a 3:30 p.m. behind-the-scenes winemaker tour with Elizabeth Vianna. At 4:00 p.m., the group will gather for announcements then enjoy the speaker’s comments, followed by a question and answer session.
Ms. Worobiec will share her perspective on writing and tasting for Wine Spectator, and speak to how our member winemakers can work effectively with the press. Her expertise with the wines of Napa, Sonoma and beyond will provide for a strong connection and lively group discussion.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a bottle of their wine for the host and speaker.
Roundtable chair Julie Lumgair noted, “This is an exceptional opportunity for attendees to interact with a noted expert and ask candid questions and in a very friendly, relaxed environment.”
RSVP DETAILS: Please, all attendees must be pre-approved; no walk-ins. Qualified attendees are women currently in winemaking and viticultural professionals roles. To RSVP, or for any questions on this event or future WWS Winemaking Roundtable events, please contact the chair ( Julie@Lumgair.com | 415-786-3415).
ABOUT THE HOST: Elizabeth Vianna first came to Chimney Rock as a harvest intern in 1999, while completing her Master’s degree in enology at U.C. Davis. Upon graduation, she worked directly with many of the region’s top winemakers including Heidi Barrett, Erin Green, Pam Starr, and Celia Masyczek. She was named to the position of assistant winemaker at Chimney Rock in January 2002 and advanced to the position of winemaker in 2005. She was promoted to General Manager of Chimney Rock Winery in 2011 while continuing in her role as head winemaker at the Stags Leap District estate winery. During her tenure she has consistently produced wines that have been highly rated among critics and highly valued among consumers.
ABOUT THE WINEMAKING & VITICULTURAL ROUNDTABLE: WWS is the premier wine education and networking organization for industry professionals and wine aficionados. The Roundtable meets six times a year, taking a harvest break. It is a great time to expand skills while reconnecting and meeting new industry professionals.
The free roundtable meeting is open to WWS Winemaking Roundtable members and interested women winemakers and viticulturists who have emailed and received RSVP guest confirmations through the roundtable chair. Guests may attend up to two roundtables before deciding to join.
Lumgair commented “The Winemaking Roundtable’s past meeting topics have focused upon the skills women winemakers need but aren’t always easy to get in the daily winemaking environment.” She further explained that, “Held at some of the region’s finest host wineries, these programs have been a fantastic opportunity for women winemakers to connect directly, in a welcoming forum, with experts that they otherwise wouldn’t get to meet for personal advice and questions. Some of our recent speaker shave included global sensory consultants, noted wine critics, sommeliers and key wine publication editors, media trainers, CFO’s and GM’s in panel discussions and leading recruiters.”
ABOUT WWS ROUNDTABLES: WWS’ eight current professional roundtables serve to provide a welcoming and confidential environment to meet in small peer groups on a bi-monthly or quarterly basis. Members network, provide advice and support for one another, as well as foster educational occasions by inviting guest speakers in their fields and discussing ‘hot issues’ facing members in their day-to-day work. Multiple Roundtables have developed for WWS industry members in finance, accounting, human resources, winemaking/viticulture and marketing/direct-to-consumer fields.
The Napa/Sonoma Chapter currently has more than 350 members of which 70% are wine industry professionals. To join or learn more about WWS’ roundtables, please visit http://www.womenforwinesense.org/. For inquiries about other WWS roundtables for additional functions besides winemaking and viticulture, contact the Napa| Sonoma Chapter’s Roundtables Director, Lisa Bishop Forbes, lbishopforbes@gmail.com.
ABOUT WOMEN FOR WINESENSE: WWS is a not-for-profit organization 501(c)6. The Napa| Sonoma Chapter founded in 1990 is the founding chapter of this national organization which provides outstanding educational and networking opportunities to both wine industry professionals and wine enthusiasts by presenting educational, insightful and stimulating events in a welcoming, fun environment. Both men and women of legal drinking age are welcome to join. There is an exciting line-up of events planned for 2017. To join or learn more about the various WWS roundtables and general events, please visit www.womenforwinesense.org.
