The SOMM Journal

February/March 2015

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70 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 { women in wine } THE PREMATURE PASSING LAST YEAR OF DOMAINE WEINBACH'S WINE- maker Laurence Faller left many in Alsace wondering which of the few female vignerons might take up the mantle of fine winemaking in this area known for its ethereal and expressive wines. Tucked into France's northeast corner and often overshadowed by better-known regions, Alsace has struggled to get notice for its wines. So when a bright young star such as Faller left this relatively small constellation of winemakers (nearly 900 produc- ers), many asked the inevitable question: "Now, who?" Turns out Alsace is in capable hands, thanks to a new generation of women who are both making wine, and making noise about it. Family-run wineries have not only daughters making the family juice, but also working in marketing and communications or as ambassadors. "Promoting Alsace wines is definitely challenging—more than making wine," says Mélanie Pfister. "The image of our wines is still the one of 20 years ago. And since then, the wines improved largely." An eighth-generation winemaker, Pfister serves as President of diVINes d'Alsace, a four-year-old, 70-member organization of women devoted to the production, promo- tion and selling of the regional wines. The group organizes up to ten events per year plus a biannual master class of food and wine pairings held in Strasbourg. Its logo symbolizes the seven grape varieties of Alsace and a woman's shape. Road Warriors A NEW GENERATION OF WOMEN IS TAKING ALSACE ON THE ROAD by Lana Bortolot Anne Trimbach. Mélanie Pfister. PHOTO: LANA BORTOLOT PHOTO: LANA BORTOLOT PHOTO: LANA BORTOLOT A village is surrounded by vineyards in Alsace.

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