Magrino Celebrates Women’s History Month with Special Events
March is Women’s History Month and to celebrate, we’re highlighting a few exceptional women entrepreneurs that inspire us. From winemakers and those influencing what’s in your nightcap to women leading the hospitality space, we’re spotlighting the impressive female pioneers in each industry.
Female Winemakers
Name: Heidi Bridenhagen
Title: Head Winemaker
Family Owned (Y/N)? No
Bio: In 2011, Heidi joined Distinguished Vineyards and Wine Partners (DVWP), a collective of wineries including Dough Wines. Years later, in 2019, Heidi worked alongside an esteemed panel of James Beard Foundation-honored chefs and sommeliers to craft the style of Dough Wines. Dough Wines is proud to support the James Beard Foundation’s work to create an inclusive, equitable and sustainable food culture through an annual donation. As a brand and as a community of food & wine lovers, we support positive changes to the culinary arts and beverages professions. “Conceptualizing Dough wines with the James Beard Foundation—the first ever partnership of its kind–was such a fun, collaborative process,” says Heidi. “It was a really interesting and unique opportunity to gain additional perspective on the wines from people with trained palates in different fields, and something I always try to think about with each vintage of Dough.”
Name: Maya Dalla Valle
Title: Winemaker, Dalla Valle Vineyards
Family Owned (Y/N)? Yes
Bio: Maya Dalla Valle is a second-generation winemaker, and Dalla Valle Vineyard’s wine director, whose great talent, impressive educational pedigree, and unique trails and ideas are heralding a new era for the iconic brand. To pursue a career as a winemaker, Maya earned a master’s degree in viticulture and enology from Cornell University, and a Master of Business and Science degree in vineyard and winery management from France’s prestigious Bordeaux Science Agro. Training with the best, Maya also gained invaluable hands-on winemaking experience at Ornellaia e Masseto, Bodegas Rolland, Pétrus and Château Latour. Once she cultivated her skills, Maya returned to Dalla Valle and joined the winery as director in 2017 – making the estate a true multigenerational winery. In January 2021, Maya was named the estate’s winemaker.
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Social Handles: @dallavallevineyards
Name: Anne Demsey
Title: Winemaker, Skyside
Family Owned (Y/N)? No
Bio: Anne Dempsey’s passion for wine comes from a family tradition started in the 1920s, when her grandfather migrated from Tuscany to the U.S. to start his own business. Her passion for wine grew thanks to experiences in New Zealand and South Africa, she then returned to her homeland to refine her Californian knowledge, producing wines across Napa and Sonoma counties. Today, Anne is the winemaker of Skyside, where she seeks to discover special vineyard sites across the North Coast and explore the possibilities of new regions.
Location: Napa, CA
Social Handles: @Skysidewines
Name: Meghan Zobeck
Title: Winemaker, Burgess Cellars
Family Owned (Y/N)? Yes
Bio: Meghan was working for the NFL team the Denver Broncos when she started to make wine in her Denver basement. She would go on to pursue wine education and experience working in Bordeaux, Chile, Italy, and South Australia before she made her way to Napa. At Burgess Cellars, Meghan seeks to uphold their storied winemaking traditions while innovating through means such as promiscuous farming.
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Social Handles: @burgesscellars
Name: Jaimee Motley
Title: Winemaker, Stony Hill Vineyard
Family Owned (Y/N)? Yes
Bio: Jaimee had moved to San Francisco to pursue graduate school for painting, but ended up igniting her passion for wine while working at the restaurant Locanda and under famed sommelier Rajat Parr at RN74. From there, Jaimee focused on building her education in every facet of the business, from the cellar and vineyard and the northern to southern hemispheres. Upon visiting Stony Hill Vineyard for the first time, Jaimee felt as if the estate was made up of ten different clos within the property, and each of those parcels can serve as looking glass into the history of California terroir and the future of transparent winegrowing.
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Social Handles: @stonyhillvineyard
Name: Brittany Sherwood
Title: Winemaker
Family Owned (Y/N)? Yes
Bio: Brittany was fascinated with biology and living organisms—an interest that led to her enrollment in the pre-med program at UC Davis before finding her passion for wine and shifting her major to Viticulture and Enology; she would go on to gain winemaking experience in Europe and Oregon. Under the Lawrence family’s leadership, Brittany is excited to carry the iconic Heitz Cellar’s traditions forward. Brittany’s approach to winemaking is one of minimal intervention that highlights each vineyard’s unique qualities, as well as vintage expression. Along with Heitz Cellar’s Associate Winemaker Aaron Huntsberger, Brittany also crafted the inaugural vintage of Brendel, a collection of modern and distinct Napa Valley wines.
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Social Handles: @heitzcellar
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Women in Wine/ Spirits
Name: Philana Bouvier
Title: President
Family Owned (Y/N)? Yes
Bio: As President of Demeine Estates, Philana provides leadership and vision in creating a best-in-class sales and marketing organization, focusing on a dynamic and growing portfolio that includes Heitz Cellar, Burgess, Stony Hill, Brendel, Ink Grade, and Champagne Legras & Haas. Over the course of her career, Philana has established her reputation as an inspiring, engaging leader in the wholesale community. Due to her passionate and unwavering dedication in supporting women in leadership wholesale positions, Philana served as both Chair and Vice Chair of the Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), and one of the founding members of the Advisory Board. In addition. Philana is the Co-Founder of Be the Change, whose mission is to create a diverse beverage industry through facilitating job placement with companies committed to creating real change through diversity and equity training, measurable results, and long-term policy.
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Name: Sydney Edwards
Title: National Brand Manager and Marketing Director
Family Owned (Y/N)? No
Bio: Sydney Edwards is National Brand Manager for The Pale by Sacha Lichine and Marketing Director with Shaw Ross International Importers, a leading wine and spirits importer in the United States. For eight years, Sydney worked as brand strategist and marketing coordinator for Whispering Angel and played an essential role in the launch of The Palm by Whispering Angel. While developing market strategy, Sydney was instrumental in establishing Whispering Angel in the United States as a luxury, lifestyle brand through influential social media campaigns and high-profile food and wine events. The Pale launched in April 2021, and this chic, stylish and irreverent rosé has grown to national distribution over the course of the year.
Location: Miami-Fort Lauderdale
Social Handles: @thepale
Name: Elizabeth Pritchard
Title: Brand Manager
Family Owned (Y/N)? No
Bio: Elizabeth Pritchard is the Brand Manager for Horse Solider Bourbon, an all American, ultra-premium whiskey crafted by the legendary U.S. Army Green Berets who answered the country’s call days after 9/11 with a daring insertion, on horseback, into northern Afghanistan. Since the brands inception in 2015, Elizabeth has been involved in every aspect including distilling the liquid, brand development, and leading the design for the Horse Soldier Bottle. Prior to Horse Soldier Bourbon, Pritchard founded EP Lifestyle and she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario.
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Social Handles: @horsesoldierbourbon
Name: Julie Cohen Theobald
Title: Executive Director, Court of Master Sommeliers
Family Owned (Y/N)? No
Bio: Julie officially joined the organization in September 2021 for its first-ever all-female leadership team. A transformational and energizing visionary with an extensive background in nonprofits and corporate leadership, Previously, as the first female Executive Director and CEO of nonprofit arts organization Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), Theobald helped to move the ninety-year-old institution into the digital age. Theobald doubled EdTA’s operating budget, forged new partnerships, and transformed the widely respected nonprofit into a twenty-first century organization.
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Name: Emily Wines
Title: Chair, Board of Directors, Court of Master Sommeliers
Family Owned (Y/N)? No
Bio: A Master Sommelier since 2008, Emily has participated in all levels of examination and education for the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. She was a founding member of the Diversity Committee and previously served on the Board of Directors from 2013-2015. She currently works as Vice President of Wine & Beverage Experiences at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants.
Location: Oakland, California
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Women in Hospitality
Name: Sarah Eustis
Title: CEO of Main Street Hospitality
Family Owned (Y/N)? Yes
Bio: Sarah Eustis founded Main Street Hospitality in 2014 with a vision that leverages three generations of family hospitality leadership. Now at the forefront of the independent hospitality landscape, Sarah evolved Main Street into an expanding collection of properties through her commitment to stewarding a meaningful and memorable guest experience, unique to each destination and hotel. Her hospitality career began at fourteen in the housekeeping department at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, MA, which has been in her family for over 50 years. With properties ranging from new builds to landmark establishments, Main Street now owns and operates five properties in The Berkshires, two in Rhode Island, and maintains a growing pipeline of projects in one-of-a-kind destinations throughout the Northeast. A passionate leader, Sarah pioneers the organization with a continued commitment to community and an approach to hospitality that focuses on connecting people in meaningful ways.
Location: Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Social Handles: @mainstreethospitality, mainstreethospitalitygroup.com
Name: Helene Henderson
Title: Founder of Malibu Farm
Family Owned (Y/N)? No
Bio: Helene Henderson started Malibu Farm with cooking classes and farm dinners at her farm property on Pt. Dume in Malibu, California. She opened what was meant to be a 6 month pop up in an abandoned Ruby’s at the end of the Malibu Pier. After two very successful years with long lines and rave reviews, Malibu Farm expanded to the front Restaurant & Bar on the Pier and today there are currently Malibu Farm locations at the Malibu Pier, the Four Seasons hotel in Lanai, Hawaii, at the Eden Roc Nobu Hotel in Miami as well as Malibu Farm at Pier 17 in the Seaport district in Manhattan. Although Malibu Farm has grown, they are still a locally owned small business based out of Malibu Farm, California. Malibu Farm works hard to offer only sustainable seafood where the food is simply prepared and there are no secret ingredients. Here Helene puts the focus on whole wheat flour and whole grains, lots of veggies and fruits.
Social Handles: @heleneharriethenderson
Name: Amy Sur-Trevino
Title: Executive Chef at Malibu Farm at The Seaport
Family Owned (Y/N)? No
Bio: Growing up in South Padre, Texas, Amy Sur-Trevino was immersed with the sounds, scents, and flavors of the ocean. Her Spanish heritage where the kitchen was the focal point of all social interactions, instilled in her a deep appreciation and hunger for delicious food with equally heartwarming fun. Amy’s passion, hard work ethic and incredible talent fueled her ascension in Manhattan’s Eataly to become Dave Pasternack’s Head Chef at Il Pesce. There Chef Dave “The Fish Whisperer” Pasternack took her under his wing and showed her the tricks of the trade and the epitome of farm totable -sea to table unity. In April 2019, Amy went into training with Jean-Georges Management Culinary team and went onto running the Paris Café by Jean-Georges Vongerichten. She was promoted to Executive Chef at Malibu Farm in February 2020.
Social Handles: @amyleesur
Name: Sue Glasscock
Title: Co-Founder + Chief Creative Director
Family Owned (Y/N)? Yes
Bio: Sue Glasscock founded The Ranch in September 20210 with her husband, Alex. The couple’s passion for healthy and balanced living through outdoor activities and appreciation for nature were the guiding principles in creating their first fitness and wellness retreat located in Malibu, California. As Co-Founder and Chief Creative Director, Sue oversees all aspects of the guest experience outside of the program itself, including the interior design of all rooms and common areas, curation of amenities and the landscape design throughout the property including the on-sire certified organic garden. Sue also manages the development and design of The Ranch’s branded beauty and apparel lines, including the packaging of all branded products. Sue also oversaw the development of The Ranch’s second, self-published cookbook FOOD FOOD FOOD, released in Spring of 2020.
Location: Malibu, California
Social Handles: @theranchmalibu, https://theranchmalibu.com/
Name: Velma Mendes
Title: General Manager of Wave Resort
Family Owned (Y/N)? No
Bio: Velma Mendes serves as the current complex General Manager of Wave Resort + Bungalow Hotel located in Long Branch, New Jersey, where she is responsible for the executive management and operations for the Dual Luxury Resort properties on the beach. Velma is a veteran hotelier with experience in the hospitality industry spanning nearly 30 years. Starting her career in 1994, Velma moved to China, where she opened hotels as a Front Office Manager for Gloria International Hotel Group, then JW Marriott in Hong Kong. Velma made the long journey back home to New York in 1998 working as the Director of Front Office for The New York Helmsley Hotel. Beginning in 2002, Velma was named General Manager of many prestigious hotels located throughout New York, Chicago, and New Jersey such as The Helmsley Middletowne Hotel, The Beekman Tower Hotel, The Hotel Roger, Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, St Jane Hotel and Hyatt House Jersey City, to name a few.
Social Handles: @Waveresort, waveresort.com
Read Also: Women, Whiskey & More – Food & Beverage Magazine
Name: Lois Freedman
Title: President & CEO of Jean-Georges Management
Family Owned (Y/N)? No
Bio: Lois Freedman is the President & CEO of Jean-Georges Management and in charge of overseeing the development of the iconic Tin Building, which is slated to open in New York City in Spring 2022. Upon graduating The French Culinary Institute in New York City in 1986, Lois worked side by side with Jean-Georges at Lafayette, which garnered four stars from the New York Times, introducing culinary aficionados to his innovative take on classic French cuisine. For the last few decades, Lois has been instrumental in molding the Jean-George brand into an award-winning restaurant group. Currently serving as CEO and President of Jean-Georges Creative Culinary Management, she has been responsible for the overall concepts, service, and creative decisions for the Mercer Kitchen, 66, Matsugen, V Steakhouse, Spice Market, Perry St., ABC Kitchen, ABC Cocina, Dune in the Bahamas, The Inn at Pound Ridge, The Fulton, and the upcoming debut of the Tin Building at The Seaport in downtown Manhattan.
Location: New York, New York
Social Handles: @jgrestaurants, jean-georges.com
