Rowlee Wines’s principal Nicole Samodol will fly the flag for women in the Australian wine industry after being handpicked to serve her wine at an International Women’s Day function in Sydney.
Ms Samodol will join in the celebration at the Cellarmasters Meet the Makers: Women in Wine event at View By Sydney, Walsh Bay on March 8.
She will present her wine alongside female winemakers from the Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley, Margaret River, Mornington Peninsula, New Zealand, and other parts of South Australia.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to reflect where women have come no matter what industry you are in,” Ms Samodol said.
She said the event was important because women are less represented in the industry but she’s excited to celebrate the next generation of females who are coming through in roles from viticulture or management.
According to Wine Australia, the number of women employed in wine manufacturing has increased to 38 percent, from 35 percent in 2011.
However, when it comes to leadership and senior roles, female representation has been estimated at 10 percent or less, meaning the industry still has a long way to go to reflect the broader population.
Ms Samodol and her partner James Manny founded Rowlee Wines, on Lake Canobolas Road, in 2013 from a single vineyard, which was established in 2000 by her parents Deonne and Nik Samodol and specialises in cool climate wines including pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling.
The 2016 Rowlee Wines chardonnay won wine of the show at the 2017 Orange Wine Show.
“The woman who organised [the event] visited the vineyard and really liked our wine, I think she was impressed with Orange wine and the wine we produce,” she said.
“It’s really positive, definitely in Orange there’s some great female wine talent.
“It’s a new region so less tradition and less established so it’s an opportunity for people who think differently ... some of the owners have been supportive of employing women to work in all areas.”
Ms Samodol started her career in hospitality and tourism in Melbourne where she immersed herself in the world of wine.
Event MC Samantha Brett said the world of wine has been a man's game for so long and she’s thrilled more women are making their mark by creating award-winning wines.
For more info: www.cellarmasters.com.au.
This article first appeared on the Central Western Daily.