Celebrating Grgich Hills Estate’s Women in Wine
Violet Grgich
President and CEO
When I reflect on my many years in the wine industry, I consider two things when giving advice to women – One: that there is always space for you here, regardless of where your talents lie. My own journey, I recognize, is atypical. Growing up with a winemaker for a father, I was entrenched in the wine world from the start. But what this has allowed me to see is that in the wine industry, the avenues one can explore are countless – from sales, to hospitality, to farming, to winemaking or even accounting. Whatever passion is inside you, there is a place for you to carve out a niche and excel.
That brings me to my next piece of advice: Your passion will prove itself. Being a woman in any industry, the environment, at times, can produce a lot of doubt. Your passion – what drives you – will shine, as long as you lean into it. Trust your abilities. Trust your point of view. Trust the work that you do. Your confidence and drive speaks volumes, so it’s important not to let doubts hold you back. I’ve learned in my many years in this industry that it’s impossible to achieve perfection. But, as my father used to say, “every day do your best, learn something new, and make a friend”. Those guiding words have always steered me in the right direction.
Yvette Sherer
Executive Assistant to Violet Grgich
The wine industry offers a wide range of opportunities; it’s a global and versatile industry.
Whether it’s hospitality, winemaking, or operations, there’s a place for everyone. The key is to discover where your passion truly lies, find what excites you, and pursue it. I often tell others that when you set your mind to something, it’s amazing how things fall into place. The wine industry is about building connections, sharing stories, and creating experiences that last a lifetime.
Aviva Brozzo
Member Services Manager
Dear Future You-
First, let me welcome you to this career that can be rich and rewarding in ways you may not anticipate. May I give you some sound advice?
- Learn everything. I mean it- in the world of the Wine Business, there are many different facets of how to run the business part and then there is the agricultural side of the business. Learn about the different accounting functions (more than just the P&L sheets), learn about the Wholesale side of the business, learn about Direct To Consumer and how each of the sales streams affect each other, and how much they need each other to be successful. Learn Corporate Wine and then learn Family Wine.
- Foster working relationships cross-departmentally. Pick someone in another department than the one you work in and build a working relationship with them. Ask their advice in situations where their insight will prove valuable. Listen to their feedback when they provide it, and work on any issues they may highlight for you.
- Treat every event as a “Networking Event”. “Industry Night” events are to not only show off a winery property, but they are also to forge relationships with our peers in the industry. Cultivate these relationships and make time to build solid foundations with them.
- Don’t forget to grow your knowledge of wine- this is the best part of the job! Go and taste the wines of different producers, in different growing regions. Try new things and expand your palate, and your knowledge as well.
Colleen Healy
Creative Director
My advice for any woman looking to break into any industry, not just wine, is to recognize what it is that makes you capable and embrace it. Women have an innate talent for nuance, which I think is an amazing strength professionally. We’re able to be direct, but compassionate, understand subtext and underlying motivations, be measured, but have the foresight to get things done quickly and effectively.
All these things don’t just build a strong body of work and achievement, but they foster trust among colleagues and coworkers, and trusting environments are the most valuable. They’re the best spaces for everyone to excel. Female leadership is invaluable for this reason, and I love working at a place where so many women have been given the opportunity to lead.
Kendall Green
Hospitality Manager
Dear Future Leader of the wine Industry,
Welcome to the enchanting world of wine- a realm where history and tradition intertwine with cultivation and creativity.
My advice to you is simple: embrace every opportunity. This extends beyond just tasting wine; explore the various pathways that connect our industry. Whether it’s viticulture, hospitality, operations, enology, and the landscape is continually evolving.
Made it a daily practice to learn something new, engage with someone unfamiliar, and savor a wine you’ve never experienced before. Each day in this industry is an adventure, and we are fortunate to be a part of it.
At its heart, wine is about people. Since its biblical origins, wine has united individuals at the table and across the globe. It doesn’t belong to any one person: it is a gift for all.
Always remember the many hands that have contributed to each bottle of wine, and the time it took before it graced your glass.
Savor it.
Lauren Rigby
Senior Member Services Associate
You are enough. Your unique personality, thoughts, dreams, feelings, talents, and gifts are what make you authentic. Find a business that will feed into these seeds that make you who you are and help you grow—not to change you but grow you. The more you grow, the more they will grow.
Maja Jeramaz
Export and CA Chains Manager
For women starting their careers in wine, especially in export sales, navigating international markets can be both exciting and challenging. Start by understanding the nuances of each market – from cultural differences to regulatory landscapes. Building relationships is key to success in this industry. It’s not just about selling a product; it’s about developing trust and understanding with key players across different countries.
Take the time to visit markets, meet face-to-face when possible, and learn about the unique challenges and opportunities they face. This personal connection will help you become a reliable partner, not just a vendor. Be patient, listen actively, and show genuine interest in the cultures and needs of your clients. Over time, these relationships will translate into long-term success and opportunities. With perseverance, flexibility, and a global mindset, you’ll find your voice and create meaningful impact.
Mariko Hachiya
Managing Director
I am very fortunate to have spent over two decades working with wine, many times as the only female member of a team. I have enjoyed watching the transition over the last twenty years as more and more women have risen to the top of this industry. Along the way, I was blessed to be mentored by women in the industry that had trailblazed ahead of me. They helped me to navigate situations when being a female in the room was difficult.
While I rarely find myself as the only female at the table any longer, it is still not an even playing field. I do find it’s my responsibility, and I enjoy being the mentor for the next generation of female leaders.
Rosie McGee
Senior Concierge Services
If you believe in yourself and stay true to who you are, there is no limit to what you can achieve. This is a philosophy I’ve carried with me through every challenge, every high, and every low. Life has a way of testing our confidence, but it’s in those moments that we discover the depths of our own strength.
Never forget that the power to shape your future is already within you. Trust your instincts, honor your dreams, and keep pushing forward, even when the path feels uncertain.
And in the midst of the chaos, take a moment for yourself. Smile at your reflection. It’s a simple yet powerful act that can shift your mindset and remind you of the incredible person you are. That smile, a quiet moment of self-appreciation, can be the spark that ignites your energy and brightens even the toughest of days.
Shannon Willison
Director of Accounting and Administration
Getting into the wine industry as a woman is a great pursuit for farming, respect for the land and what it produces, and honoring the wine region’s legacy. I entered the wine industry over 15 years ago in an accounting capacity and learned so much throughout my journey including participating in barrel samples and final wine blends.
The wine industry as a professional is more than a career; it is a true passion. Being part of that process, from farming to the finished product, is truly inspirational due to the complexity of bringing it to your glass for consumption. Wine is personal and elegant but being able to be part of its creation is an exciting gift.
