Meet these Women Winemakers in the Monticello AVA

My wine experience began in Virginia cellars and has transitioned to retail and restaurant service plus education and consulting. Now as the Wine Director at The Wool Factory, I am so grateful that my experience in wine production has been guided by some wonderful mentors. At Michael Shaps Wineworks, Jess Trapeni (along with her Imbibe Solutions partner Audrey Skinner) instructed me in the chemistry and balance of managing a winery’s lab. In the cellar at Blenheim Vineyards, Kirsty Harmon and her then-all-woman cellar crew showed me how to load a press and to work smarter, not harder. Much of my experience has been guided by Joy Ting, Research Enologist for the Winemaker’s Research Exchange as well as local winemaker for Joy Ting Wine and The Wool Factory.

The creativity, collaboration, and diversity in style amongst women winemakers in the region exemplify the qualities that garnered Charlottesville the “Wine Region of the Year” Wine Star award from Wine Enthusiast in 2023.

Here’s a look at a few of the women making award-winning wine on the Monticello Wine Trail.

Corry’s introduction to wine and wine production began right here in Charlottesville in 2010, and has led her around the world and back again. After harvesting in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, California, and Oregon, she has returned to Virginia to make her mark. Now, Corry is head winemaker at Septenary Winery in Greenwood located in Albemarle County, where she crafts wines for Septenary, works on a few experimental wines for herself, and runs a custom-crush program for clients.

Corry is adept at making age-worthy red wines with plenty of structure and balance, and loves to get creative with white wines: lees contact, partial skin contact, stem inclusion, and more techniques to evoke texture and complexity.

There is buzz around the Charlottesville wine scene, and Corry recognizes that this is an opportunity for Virginia wine to establish itself on a global stage. It’s going to take leadership and innovation, and she recognizes that many women are leading that charge.

Kirsty’s background in biology and yeast genetics didn’t immediately lead her to wine, but I’m so grateful that she took a leap, gained knowledge from mentor Gabriele Rausse, and connected with Dave Matthews who owns Blenheim Vineyards. After a few harvests in France and New Zealand, Kirsty landed at Blenheim in 2008, and has been their head winemaker ever since. She grounds their wine in sustainability, drinkability, and scientific quality.

Jess splits her days between the cellar at Oakencroft Farm and Winery, where she wrangles hybrid grapes into elegant wines, and the lab at Imbibe Solutions, doing research, testing, marketing, and more. With a background in biochemistry, she got her start at Michael Shaps Wineworks in the laboratory, learning from winemaker/enologist/researcher Joy Ting. She has since earned her Winemaking Certificate from UC Davis, and has worked as Production Manager at Michael Shaps Wineworks.

With plenty of experience and knowledge under her belt, Jess makes great wines at Oakencroft and provides scientific support for various local craft beverage producers. Jess’s goal is to “Craft with intention.”

Visiting Oakencroft, it’s obvious the thoughtfulness that goes into the wine, the experience, and the environment. The farm and winery is working to become a carbon sink model for agricultural and agritourism projects in Virginia. The entire property is solar-powered, uses collected rainwater, and takes advantage of geothermal heating systems.

Jess recognizes the history and tradition of winemaking, and is itching to push the envelope. She does so with chambourcin, a hybrid grape known for its striking color and fantastic fruit flavor. It has become a favorite to craft in various styles, from a bright rosé to a juicy red to a port-style dessert wine.

“I think there is a growing interest in unique wines– from varieties, techniques, experiences in the tasting rooms, and packaging/labels. As we learn more about our area and what grows well here, we can fill that space while still maintaining the goal of high quality, delicious, conversation-starting wines.”

Robin’s career in wine developed after working in marketing and in Counter-Intelligence for the NSA. From 2018 to 2022, she worked in the cellar at Michael Shaps Wineworks, and pursued studies in wine and winemaking locally and through the UC Davis program. Nowadays, Robin, a self-proclaimed “cellar rat,” is the assistant winemaker at King Family Vineyards in Crozet – the four-time winner of the Virginia Governor’s Cup.

Robin keeps the cellar meticulously clean and runs an efficient winemaking program, focusing on communication, especially during the long, wet, and taxing harvest season. She enjoys working with sauvignon blanc and petit manseng, and is a huge fan of traditional method sparkling wines.

On women in wine production, Robin says “I don't think that it should be some sort of earth shattering novelty that women can and do make wine. Of course we can make wine...and look better doing it too. ”

There are lots more women making wine in the Monticello AVA! Caitlin Horton at Horton Vineyards, Emily Hodson of Veritas Winery & Vineyards and Flying Fox Vineyard, AJ Greely at Hark Vineyards, Rachel Vrooman at Stinson Vineyards, and many more women in cellars and vineyards around Charlottesville and Albemarle County.

Explore the wineries below to help plan a trip to our area wineries where women are making wine.