Leading Women in Wine – 11 Remarkable Ladies to Inspire You

Let’s raise our glasses to celebrate Women’s History Months and honor the incredible women making waves in the World of Wine. Behind each bottle lies a story of passion, perseverance, and dedication. Today, I would like to shine a spotlight on these 11 remarkable wineries led by inspiring women. From the vineyards of Hungary to the rolling hills of Austria, these women are not only shaping the future of winemaking but also breaking barriers and redefining industry standards.

While winemaking was considered a men-only profession for hundreds of years, it has finally changed for the better. Nowadays, women are making seriously good wines and their number in the business is rising by the minute. It took me a while to shortlist only 11 in Hungary and Austria to honor Women’s History Months. Luckily, there are way more than the mentioned ladies in this list. I have selected them either because I have tasted their wines and they are just marvelous or it is on my bucket list by the massive success they are having in the wine business. Let’s dive in and discover these amazing women and their respective wineries:

The Austrian Side

Michaela Riedmüller (Carnuntum, Austria)

Nestled in the picturesque region of Carnuntum, Michaela Riedmüller Wines stands as a testament to the passion and vision of its namesake, Michaela Riedmüller. With vineyards spread across the Braunsberg and Spitzerberg areas, Michaela cultivates a diverse array of grape varieties including Blaufränkisch, Chardonnay, and Grüner Veltliner. Each wine reflects the unique terroir of its vineyard, from the elegant Braunsberg to the structured and mineral-driven Spitzerberg. Michaela’s commitment to sustainable practices ensures that every bottle embodies the essence of the land it comes from. Just take a look at her Down to Earth selection which is dedicated to sustainability and environmental awareness.

Weingut Dorli Muhr (Carnuntum, Austria)

Perched atop the Spitzerberg in Carnuntum, Dorli Muhr Winery is a beacon of authenticity and tradition. Born and raised in Carnuntum, Dorli Muhr tends to her twelve-hectare estate with meticulous care, focusing on indigenous grape varieties like Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, and her true passion, Syrah. The south-facing slopes of Spitzerberg, with their limestone soils, provide the perfect conditions for these grapes to thrive giving back the terroir and the freshness what Dorli is looking for. Dorli’s hands-on approach to winemaking, including handpicking and slow fermentation, results in wines of exceptional character and finesse.

Weingut Silvia Heinrich (Mittelburgenland, Austria)

In the heart of Mittelburgenland lies Silvia Heinrich Winery, where Silvia’s passion for winemaking is evident in every bottle. With 38 hectares under cultivation, Silvia focuses on grape varieties such as Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt, harnessing the unique terroir of the region to produce wines of depth and elegance. Guided by the motto “the less, the better,” Silvia employs near-natural cultivation methods, ensuring that her wines express the true essence of the land. Blaufräkisch is the one closest to her heart, hence the 7 different expression in her selection. I am not even counting the blends but look out for her Old Vine Pinot Noir, a true gem in Burgenland.

Weingut Ebner-Ebenauer (Weinviertel, Austria)

Marion Ebner and her husband Manfred Ebenauer are the driving force behind Ebner-Ebenauer Winery, located in the Weinviertel region. With 20 hectares of vineyards, the couple is committed to producing wines of startling quality and finesse and first of all: balance. Their focus on biodynamic farming and minimal intervention, with their wines reflecting the unique terroir of Weinviertel. Marion and Manfred’s dedication to their craft shines through in every bottle, earning them recognition as one of Austria’s most dynamic winemaking duos. Their main focus is on Grüner Veltliner, specially from single vineyard expressions, I had the chance to taste them and I recommend you to do that too!

Weingut Taferner (Carnuntum, Austria)

Originally a farm, Weingut Taferner has transformed into a renowned winemaking estate in Carnuntum. Helmed by the Taferner family, the winery spans 25 hectares of vineyards, with a focus on organic and sustainable practices. With varieties ranging from Blaufränkisch to Chardonnay, Taferner wines are a true reflection of Carnuntum’s terroir, specially their Zweigelt selection. Karoline’s wines are celebrated for their balance, complexity, and sense of place which earned accolades both domestically and internationally.

Winzerfamilie Schup Gregor (Thermenregion, Austria)

The vineyards are in Guntramsdorf, amidst the Thermenregion, an Austrian region of hot springs famous for its excellent wines just south of Vienna. With a family history spanning 300 years, the fifth generation of winegrowers is dedicated to producing outstanding quality wines. With a cultivated area of 28 hectares, they grow varieties such as Blauburgunder, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Riesling under ideal conditions. I would say, their specialty is the sweet Zierfandler with different sugar content. All in all, their wines are a clean, presice expression of the region and varieties planted. Johanna joined the now Winzerfamilie Gregor Schup in 2019 to promote the region and the wines nationally and internationally and making great effort and success doing it.

The Hungarian Part

Laposa Birtok (Badacsony, Hungary)

Founded in the late 1970’s, Laposa Birtok sits atop the volcanic hills of Badacsony, overlooking Lake Balaton. Led by the Laposa family, the winery specializes in traditional Hungarian grape varieties such as Welschriesling, Furmint and Kéknyelű. With a focus on sustainability and authenticity, Laposa Birtok produces wines that capture the essence of the region’s terroir. At Laposa Birtok, Zsofia’s wines are celebrated for their elegance, balance, and freshness with the main focus on Welschriesling. Her wines have been awarded multiple times in Hungary, earning a place among Hungary’s most esteemed wineries.

Zsirai Pincészet (Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary)

Situated in the heart of Tokaj-Hegyalja, Zsirai Pincészet is a family-owned estate with a rich winemaking heritage. The Zsirai sisters, Petra and Kata, are leading the winery to produce exceptional wines from indigenous grape varieties such as Furmint and Hárslevelű. With vineyards spanning three significant Hungarian wine regions, Zsirai Pincészet showcases the diversity of Hungarian terroir through its range of dry and sweet wines. Kata is the winemaker from the two sisters who’s style of terroir driven wines shines back in the bottles. They really built up the winery to be one of the most dynamic and notable on in the region.

Csetvei Pincészet (Mór, Hungary)

Nestled at the foot of the Vénhegy in Mór, Csetvei Pincészet is a testament to the vision of owner and winemaker Krisztina Csetvei. Established in 2011, the winery focuses on organic farming and minimal intervention winemaking, allowing the terroir of Mór to shine through in every bottle. With a diverse range of indigenous grape varieties such as Ezerjó and Kékfrankos, and Juhfark. Csetvei Pincészet offers winelover a selection of the diverse terroir of this part of Hungary. Mór is an increasingly popular wine region these days, and for that it owes a lot to Krisztina, who has done a lot for the prosperity of the Mór wine region in recent years.

Vylyan Szőlőbirtok és Pincészet (Villány, Hungary)

Founded in 1992, Vylyan Szőlőbirtok és Pincészet is located in the renowned Villány wine region. With vineyards covering 120 hectares, the estate specializes in producing high-quality wines from grape varieties such as Kékfrankos, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Committed to quality and innovation, the winery produces wines that showcase the unique terroir of Villány and reflect the passion and dedication of its founders. Monika Debreczeni, the driving force behind Vylyan Pincészet, as property manager and oversees the whole production. Vylyan wines were one of my very first favourites when I even just started to be interested in wines. I am amazed how Monika built up a highly successful winery with premium quality wines.

Jammertal Borbirtok (Villány, Hungary)

The winery is located in the picturesque Villány wine region too, Jammertal Borbirtok is known for its luxury wines and commitment to quality. Founded in 2001, the estate has chief winemaker Zsófia Kövesdi, who takes a hands-on approach to winemaking with huge success. Zsófia received the prestigious International Female Winemaker of the Year award in 2023. This made her the most recognised women in wine from Hungary in this list. With a cultivated area of 85 hectares, Jammertal Borbirtok produces a range of red and rosé wines from grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Kékfrankos. Zsófia’s dedication to craftsmanship and attention to detail are evident in every bottle. In 2021 their Cassiopeia Merlot 2015 has gotten the highest points on the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles international wine competition which really put Villány on the premium red wine producing regions map Worldwide!

I think this list perfectly explains why these eleven women in wine, each with her unique background, expertise, and vision, represent the diversity and richness of the wine world. Their wines tell stories of tradition, innovation, and a deep connection to the land that can inspire all of us to do better and also celebrate the countless other women who contribute their talents and passion to the World of Wine.