Breaking Barriers: Women Winemakers Redefining Tradition

For centuries, women were banned from entering wine cellars let alone work on the vineyards. How the tides have changed. Women in B.C. have not only broken barriers, they are stepping into the limelight, redefining tradition, challenging conventions, and leaving an indelible mark on the world of wine.  

What better month to celebrate just some of the many female trailblazers that hail from B.C. than during September, which is Fall for BC Wine month. A collaboration between Wines of British Columbia and Destination BC are partnering to promote our amazing local wines and the plethora of amazing events happening at wineries across the province as well. 

BC Living raises its glass of fine wine to 10 amazingly talented trailblazers who are reshaping the wine landscape and bringing home award after award.

 

1. Severine Pinte ~ Le Vieux Pin and La Stella Wineries – Winemaker & Viticulturist, Managing Partner

Pinte once thought of becoming an Airforce pilot. However, while studying engineering in the heart of one of France’s largest wine regions, she became intrigued with the art of winemaking. Drawn to the balance of science and creativity,  she studied at the renowned ENSAM (Ecole National Superior Agronomic of Montpellier), graduating with a degree in agronomy and a masters in viticulture and oenology. After apprenticing with Cave de Técou, Pinte worked for large enterprises in France, the Domaine de Chaberton in Langley (1999) and Frankland Estate in Western Australia (2003),. She returned to B.C. in 2010, and was hired to be the winemaker at Le Vieux Pin and La Stella Wineries.

Proudest Moment: In June 2023, Pinte was knighted by the French Government for her outstanding work in the agricultural sector. “Receiving the 140-year-old “Order of Agricultural Merit” by the Consul General of France was certainly a prouder moment.” 

Winemaking style: “I try to improve the health of the soils, which will improve the health of the plant and, with time, will minimize our actions on the plant. So I guess, yes you could say that we learn a lot from observing the plant and how it reacts to the environment. … I liken it to babysitting.”

 

2. Keira LeFranc ~ Stag’s Hollow Winery – Winemaker & Director of Operations 

Okanagan-born, winemaking wasn’t really in LeFranc’s sights. She debated between art and science, before eventually attended the University of Alberta, where she earned her Bachelor of Science. Each summer, LeFranc returned home and worked in the tasting room at Stag’s Hollow. LeFranc found her calling! She went on to receive her CMS Certified Sommelier certification, and worked in restaurants in Australia, but LeFranc found that she really missed the science of winemaking and getting her hands dirty. So, back to Stag’s Hollow for her second harvest in 2015, and then from there she did a Post-Graduate diploma of Wine Science at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. In 2017, LeFranc moved back home and started on full-time at Stag’s Hollow. 

Proudest Moment: “I’m most proud of the wines we’ve taken chances on. 2018 was the first year we played around with Viognier co-fermentation in Syrah. I think the quality of the wine that came from that creativity really helped drive further experimentation.” 

Winemaking style: “I am a big believer in leaning into vintage variation, with a less-is-more approach.”

 

3. Valerie Tait ~ Gold Hill Winery – Winemaker & General Manager

It was a glass of Riesling that change Tait’s career trajectory. While working as a researcher at Summerland’s Agricultural Research Center, after graduating with a molecular genetics/ biochemistry degree, Tait studied plant viruses with a focus on vitis vinifera (wine grape viruses). During that time she met Alex Nichol, founder of Nichol Vineyards, who offered her a Riesling from Alsace region. Tait’s love of wine was born. Once she decided to work in wine production she returned to school, studying Oenology and Viticulture at UC Davis, near Napa, California. Tait then worked during harvest time, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere: New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Washington State, before joining Gold Hill Winery.

Proudest Moment: “I feel very proud of a Cabernet franc block that is found at our Estate vineyard. I have made a Cabernet franc wine from that block every year that it has produced since 2009. I strongly believe that this is one of the best vineyard blocks in Canada.”

Winemaking style: “The wine production is wholly dependent on natural processes that for the most part depend on a varying microclimate that changes every year, resulting in many changing variables in which I can apply many decisions, both in the vineyard and in the cellar.”

 

4. Kailee Frasch ~ Quails’ Gate Estate Winery – Associate Winemaker

Frasch grew up in the Okanagan, surrounded by beautiful vineyards. She says it was only natural that she developed an interest in wine. During her undergraduate studies in microbiology, she listened to a winemaker as a guest lecturer who spoke about the science behind fermentation. This experience opened her eyes to winemaking as a career option. After completing her Bachelor of Science, Frasch enrolled in Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture program. 

Proudest Moment: “Last year, we hosted a Chardonnay classification tasting at Quails’ Gate, and it was truly rewarding to see our Rosemary’s Block and Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnays stand out against wines from around the world that sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.”

Winemaking style: “I would describe my winemaking style as focused. I closely follow the journey of each wine, monitoring and tasting frequently to ensure everything is progressing as it should be. My goal is to achieve the highest quality possible with each wine.”

 

5. Sandy Leier ~ Laughing Stock Vineyards – Winemaker

A native of Kelowna, Leier was schooled with a love of the land from any early age. Growing up surrounded by fruit trees, rows upon rows of vineyards and forests of the Okanagan Valley drew her to pursue a career in winemaking. Leier knew instinctively that she wanted a career that included being in nature. Winemaking was a marriage made in heaven. What fuelled her passion even more was when she started working with a team of passionate winemakers. Over nearly two decades, Leier has traveled to many wine regions around the world and has had the opportunity to learn from winemakers working with different varieties and terroir. 

Proudest Moment: “In 2022, we introduced a new wine, Amphora Chenin Blanc, which is made in an Italian terracotta Caly Amphorae. It has been incredibly well received.” 

Winemaking style: “My approach to winemaking is minimal intervention all the way through the process. The vines are like my babies.”

 

6. Kaylee Barss ~ Red Barn Winery – Winemaker

Another Okanagan native, Barss was enfolded by the wine industry. She didn’t consider a career in wine until she wrapped up her undergraduate degree in Biology. Barss loved science, but found the scientific process a bit sterile. Barss’ summers were spent working in a small family run winery and that was the tipping point for her.  She went back to Brock University where she garnered her winemaking certification. 

Proudest Moment: “This past 2023 vintage, I got the opportunity to work with an awesome block of Gamay! I broke the block down into a few smaller experimental batches, and the resulting wine is super fresh and interesting.”

Winemaking style: “I have been given freedom to experiment and explore, with each vintage bringing something new. I approach each wine with intuition and adaptability, letting the fruit lead.”

 

7. Mary McDermott ~ Township 7 Vineyards & Winery – Winemaker

Originally, McDermott pursued a journalism degree at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson). But, there was something about the wine industry that kept calling her name. McDermott landed a job as a Sommelier at Niagara’s fine dining restaurant, Inn on the Twenty, while finishing her Bachelor of Science in Oenology and Viticulture at Brock University. She then worked at Niagara-on-the-Lake’s prestigious Stratus Vineyards as Cellar hand and then assistant cellarmaster at Cave Spring Cellars. Soon thereafter, Mary joined Niagara’s premier winery family, Peller Estates premium wineries; Trius Winery at Hillebrand and Thirty Bench as their winemaker. When her partner desired to move back to the Okanagan Valley, it prompted their move in 2014 as winemaker for Township 7 Vineyards & Winery.

Proudest Moment: “Winning the Best Canadian Sparkling wine in 2023 and 2019 from The World Champagne & Sparkling Wine Championships, beating out all of the French Champagne houses, the United States and new world regions.”

Winemaking style: “The final goal is always top of mind. I intervene as little as possible to produce the best grapes.”

 

8. Gina Fernandes Harfman ~ Nostalgia Wines – Owner/Winemaker

Fernandes Harfman grew up around wine. Her mother’s family is from Madeira Island, Portugal and wine was always included in their meals. Both sides of her family, including grandfathers and uncles would make wine in their basements or garages. Fernandes Harfman’s father Ken tore down his Osoyoos orchard in the late 90’s and planted a vineyard, so she learnt how to grow grapes from him. In 2009, a local winemaker taught her the ins and outs of winemaking and so began her own love affair with the process. She went from airbrushing to winemaking.

Proudest Moment: “2024 has been an amazing year in awards and accolades for us. Most recently, we were awarded Top 3rd Small Winery in Canada at the Wine Align National Wine Awards of Canada.” 

Winemaking style: “My intent is to make the best and most interesting wines from my vineyards with a willingness to work with Mother Nature. I let the fruit flavours and terroir drive the wine, giving them their personality and character. I like to produce wines that are complex, elegant and balanced and with a minimalist approach.”

 

9. Lindsay O’Rourke ~ Tightrope Winery – Winemaker/owner

O’Rourke found her way to Tightrope Winery by way of Whistler. It was the early 1990’s and she was only planning on staying for a season of snowboarding. She ended up marrying her husband/partner Graham O’Rourke and having a child. While in Whistler, O’Rourke’s mother suggested she study winemaking.  The young family moved to the Okanagan in 2003 to study winemaking and grape growing. This eventually led to them to New Zealand, where from 2005 to 2006, Lyndsay completed a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology from the renowned cool climate viticulture program at Lincoln University, where she graduated at the top her class.

Proudest Moment: “Many of our wines have won awards, but my proudest moment was at the 2019 Judgement of B.C. when our 2016 Syrah took first place. I was very excited as three of our wines made it into the competition and we were up against wines from across the world.”  

Winemaking style: “I use a very minimalistic approach. If your vines are in balance you don’t need over the top alcohols.”

 

10. Pénélope Furt- Roche ~ Roche Winery – a 6th generation Winemaker from Bordeaux

Born with wine in her blood, Furt-Roche counts six generations of viticulture and winemaking at Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, the small family estate whose elegant wines rival the Crus Classés of Bordeaux. She spent seven years studying oenology and viticulture studies in Bordeaux to winemaking in Spain, New Zealand and Australia, Furt- Roche brings to the Okanagan a profound and holistic understanding of the grapevine’s relationship with its environment, from a winemaker’s perspective. Along with her husband Dylan, they founded Roche Wines in 2011. 

Proudest moment: “To have had the courage to leave my Motherland and move to Canada to make wine in the Okanagan.” 

Winemaking style: “Our priority is hands-on organic farming, with traditional French “savoir-faire” to make exceptional wines that express the unique Okanagan terroirs.”